Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-02-24
THE RECEPTION.
Governor Powers Greets Many
Hundreds at the Capitol.
The Clearing Skies Of Noon Ensure
the Occasions Success.
A Large Throas Pressnt-Ths Elaborate Dec.
oratisns and The Music.

1 ~'ss'Ose~ ss'S 49, "ssSsSs
The storm alone was unwelcome at
the Capitol. yesterday. OF all days OF
the legislative season that Of the Gov
crnor's reception should be favored
with blue skies. But the weather
bureau was inconsiderate, and the
opening of the day was the occasion
of a rough snow storm that had many
Of the symptoms Of a blizzard. 1t was
a reminder OF the severe storm of the
PERCEPTION day OF four years ago which
prevented completely the success Of the
affair. Yesterdays storm marred the
success OF the reception, but could not
spoil 1t. The crowd was a large one,
though no doubt a pleasant day would
have brought a much larger one. The
| clearing skies of noon brought joy to
all. hut could not bring the many peo-
pie whom the forenoon storm had kept
away.
In the morning while the House was
indulging In its exciting session, men
were busy putting tho finishing touches
en- the decorations. The rotunda with
| its mass OF flags. bunting and stream
crs presented a beautiful scene The
staircases and the landings were deco
rated with skill and taste with the
same materials. but in the council
chamber and the Governors room the
decorators had done the best work
Here the bunting was especially pro-
fuse and banks of potted plants and
| masses of flowers from Ben Venue
united in making the pleasant rooms
more attractive. The large pastel of
Governor Powers upon his desk in the
council room painted by Miss Cross,
won the admiration Of all. The rooms
| were fragrant with the scent of the
masses CT flowers, and the whole build
ing had been given a festival appear
ance. Mr.. A. B. Allen and his assist
ants deserve much credit for the
beauty of the Capitol decorations.
Though the reception hour was not
until 2 p. NJ. the crowd of visitors be-
gan to gather in the morning. The
wives and families of many members
had come for the occasion and took the
opportunity of attending the morning
session where they were amply repaid
by the Bangor hospital debate. The
steady stream of visitors began short
ly after noon. and before long the Cap
ftol held the largest crowd of the win
ter. There We're many points of in
terest to visit and the elaborate and
beautiful decorations of the rotunda,
corridors and receiving rooms to ex-
anime and admire. Many score climbed
to the cupola during the afternoon.
At 1.S0 p. NJ. Pullen's orchestra of Is
pieces took possession of the prettily
draped stand On the north side of the
rotunda, and until o'clock rendered
one of those excellent concerts for
which this organization is justly
famed. Pullen is always a favorite in
Augusta and always gets a royal well
come here. The crowd that filled the
rotunda and approaches throughly en-
joyed every number of the following
programme:
March. Pride of the Army" Andrews
Overture, Around the Hub" Tracy
Serenade. Lolita, Langley
Medley. "A jolly Night" Boyer
Selection. Rob Roy" DeKoven
Intermezzo, "Cavalleria Rusticana,"
Waltz. Flowers of Italy Stefano
Selection, Lady Slavey.'' Kerker
Fantasie; Tone Pictures from North and
South" Bendix
lntermexzo. Malta, Delibes
Selection, America Moses
March. 'Bombasto,'' Farrar
At P. NJ. the receiving party took
its place in the beautifully decorated
private room of the Governor. First,
to the right of the door, came Governor
Powers, then came President Day with
Speaker Larrabee beyond him. Behind
them In semi-circle were the nine
members Of Governor Powers staff in
the full splendor of their new uniforms
and equipments. Just within the
Council chamber door stood Mrs.
Powers, Mrs. Simpson and Mrs. Lar
rabee. all three charming ladies of fine
bearing. charmingly attired. Mrs.
Powers wore a becoming street cos
tune of blue material. with a fancy
waist; Mrs. Simpson black and green
brocade: and Mrs. Larrabee q blue and
black foulard with white lace trim
mings.
First among the guests to enter the
chamber came the heads OF depart
ments with their ladies', then the sem
ators and ladies, then the representa-
tives and ladies. and last but not least
the great crowd of gentlemen and
ladies. representing every section OF
the State. 1t was truly representa-
tive multitude of Names sons and
daughters coming to their capital to
pay their respects to their Chief Ix-
ccutive. Private Secretary Oraman-
dal Smith presented the visitors to the
Governor and they passed down the
line, until they reached the Council
chamber where Secretary of State
byron Boyd presented them to the
three receiving ladies. The rush be-
gan promptly at 2 o'clock and the
human stream flowed rapidly along
without a break until about p. NJ.
It cannot be known exactly how many
people were shaken by the hand BY the
Governor and the others OF the receiv-
ing party, but many placed the num-
Der as high as 1000 Others estimated
that 5000 were present at the reception.
Col. Stevens. who ought to know II
any one does. says 1t was the largest
attended Governors receufion in the