Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-01
THE GREAT CENTENNIAL CITY Is Ready for the Formal Opening
 Today. ORDER OF PROCEDURE including Speech Making and Band Concerts Nashville Will Make Holiday of It.
 The City 6aily Bedecked.

Nashville, Tenn, April 30---In spite of constant rain for a week. delaying and retarding work in every department, or der has been made to take the place of confusion, and the Centennial City, prac- tically complete, with exhibits in every building, is ready to throw open its gates tomorrow morning. Visitors have been coming all day and tonigh; trains from all directions brought in more Ad1ai D. Stevenson and party, Gov. Lon V. Ste- vens and Mrs. Stevens, of Missouri, have already come, and will participate in ths simple opening ceremonies. Though some of the buildings, including the govern- ment building and some of the special stale buildings, will not be fully com plGted for some days, every building that is to contain exhibits is ready for occu- patton, and in all of them are exhibits. In twelve large and commanding struct- ures busy scenes have been enacted night and day ehis week. while exhibits were put in place and finishing touches given These are the auditorium, parthenon, which is the art gallery, commerce, wo- mans, agricultural, machinery, minerals and forestry, transportation, children's, historical government, negro and rail- way. The roads and walks, shrubbery and grass are in excellent condition, but the indictment weather has prevented the removal of the flowers and plants from the greenhouses. The Cincinnati, Knox vilfe and other city buildings are ready. The exhibit made by railroads, both north and south, are extensive and conn plete and consist in large measure of out of door displays of minerals, plants and trees. The official ceremonies to- morrow will be brief and simple, with no special effoht at display but marked by dignity. The following programme will be observed:
 Parade of the Ancient Essenic Order and other orders, with 5000 men in line, starting promptly on Bread street at S:35 o'clock as an escort to Gov. Robert l.. Taylor, who will be accompanied by state and city officials and his full staff.
 The opening exercises in the auditorium begin at Il o'clock with prayer by Bishop Gailor. Gov. Taylor, President Thomas, Director General Lewis, Chief Justice Snodgrass, of the state; speaker of the state sepate, speaker of the house, and Mayor Mccarthy will deliver, short ad- dresses.
 Starting the ma achinery with the elec- tric signal by President Mckinley at noon. i
 Formal reception of the Moretti foun- tain of electricity on behalf of the wo-. mans board at the -woman's building, where Mrs. V. l.. Kirkman, president of the woman's board, assisted by the four vice presidents of the woman's de- partment, Mrs. Florence Druillard, Mrs. c. N. Grosvenor, Mrs. J. w. Thomas and Miss Mary B. Temple, Secretary Mrs. Ada Scott Rice and the treasurer, Mrs. F. R. Weakley, will be handed the key with which to turn on the water and start the fountain.
 Public reception and opening of the children's building beginning at 4 p. m.
 Grand open air band concert near Lake Aurora.
 At night time the domes and fronts of all the buildings will be illuminated by electric light and the thousands of lights about the grounds will be turned on.
 Another open air concert will be given and the days festivities will close with a grand display of fireworks
 Nashville is gaily decorated with flags and the day will be public holiday.