The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-02
til. State into the si.,erhooa of common

wealths.
The formal opening today was marked
by the absence OF the citizen soldiery In
Uniform, though every man present was q
soldier II called upon to protect his home
| in fair Tennessee. and to maintain the
dignity OF the Volunteer State. The mem
bers of both houses Of the legislature and
their wives assembled at the Union Street
depot OF The Nashville Chattanooga and
| St Louis railway at 3 o'clock. and were
conveyed IN special trains to the hand
| some terminal station at the west side OF
the Exposition park The place Of rem
devious was the Administration building.
whence the officials. the legislators and
| distinguished guests. including the gov
ernor OF tho State. Hon. Robert L. Taylor.
General Ignaclo Garcia, postmaster general
OF the Republic OF Mexico. and suite. es-
corted by a vast concourse OF citizens. pro-
| oeeded TO tho Auditorium. which, in few
moments. was filled with about 1000 peo-
pie, while a perfect multitude was unable
to obtain admission. and contcnted Itself
with listening 10 the inspiring strains OF
Bclstedt Bcllenbergs superb military
concert band OF Cincinnati. The cere-
monies were opened with prayer by Right
Rev. Thomas Il. Gailor. co-adIutor bishop
OF Tennessee.
After America" had been played In a
most impressive manner, Major ]. w.
Thomas. president OF the Tennessee Expo
sition company, arose and was received
with cheers and applause.
Loud and continuous cheering followed
the conclusion OF President Thomas re-
marks, and the band struck up "The Star
Spanglod Banner amid tumultuous
cheering and waving Of hats and hand
kerchiefs.
The next address was by Hon. Robert l..
Taylor. governor OF Tennessee. As re ad-
vancod toward the front OF the platform
tho crowd rose as one man. and II was sew
ata mi hcf
proceed with his address.
At tho conclusion OF the address the band
struck w Dixie" and then the very earth
itself seemed TO shake with the thunders
OF applause. 1t was a sight never TO 10
forgotten.
When order was restored. or rather
when quiet once more reigncd, Major Il.
C.. Lewis. the director general OF the as
ISOLATION. under whose skliful guidance
the marvellous project msterialized and
came into being, stepped forward, and as
he did SO the volume OF applause shook
the very armament. and 1t was at once
seen that Tennessee had booked upon the
work OF her gifted son and saw that It
was good. HIS address was brief and very |
characteristic Of the man. who is described |
as being as modest as he is able. What |
ever credit may belong TO others FOR work !
done IN connection with the Tennessee
Centennial exposition. no one wifi contest
the director generals claim to abe chief |
part and. as some OF the features OF the |
exposition are to be permanent, II Is safe |
to say that this great work which he has |
achieved will be his most enduring monu |
mont.
Then nj given signal. the wires !
flashed tho magic word to the White |
House at Washington. President Mckinley |
touched the button. and. as the band |
played "1Iatl. Columbia" tho machinery |
was set in motion and the Tennessee Gem
tenuial exposition was opened TO the |
NnrlI