Evening journal., 1897-11-08
NOWFOR THE GREAT DAY
Big Demonstration For the
Gunboat Wilmington.
NOVEMBER % THE SELECTED TIME

NOVEMBER % THE ShLEUTED TIME
PLANS FOR THE OCCASION IN
LUDE A MONSTER PARADE OF
MARINES, UNIFORMED PYTIH-
IANS, COLLEGE CADETS. STATE
MILITIA AND OTHER ORGANIZA-
TIONs-A HOT TINE IN THE OLD
TOWN SURE.
The United States Gunboat "Wil-
mington" Silver Service Committee
held an enthusiastic meeting at the
Board of Trade rooms Saturday after
noon, when the project of presenting a
silver testimonial to the vessel received
a big impetus.
The following communication from
the Navy Department to Chairman
Morrison, which explains itself, was
read:
Navy Department, Bureau Of Naviga-
tion, Washington, Nov. 4, 1897.
Sir: / have to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the Sd instant,
and in reply to inform you that the
commanding officer of the u S. S. Will
mington has been directed to have that
vessel at Wilmington prior to Novem-
Der %, in order that the presentation
may take place on that date. In order
to facilitate the making Of the neces-
sary arrangements the commanding
officer of the Wilmington" has been
ordered to correspond directly with
you concerning this matter. Very re-
spectfully, A. S. Crowinshield,
"Chief of Bureau"
The committee has taken up the mat
ter in earnest now that the government
has set day for the ceremonies, and it
is the intention to make the 23d of No
vember a gala day in Wilmington. AT
Saturdays meeting measures were
taken to make arrangements with all
transportation companies to secure a
low two or three-days excursion rate
and to invite to Wilmington to take
part in the festivities all the people of
the state and the surrounding country.
1t was stated that the Wilmington and
Northern railroad would probably run
an excursion from Reading and that the
Pennsylvania railroad would run a spe-
cial excursion from Lewes and from
Delmar. This would prove of great
benefit to the merchants and business
men of the city, as many would take ad-
vantage of the low excursion rate to
come here and spend Thanksgiving Day
after participating in the presentation
The gunboat will be brought to one
Of the wharves on the Christiana and
thrown open to the public for a day OF
two before the 23d.
The arrangements contemplate a
Troop B, the militia, fire companies
monster parade, with the marines, police
Delaware College cadets, Uniformed
Rank of the Knights of Pythias, Mystic
Chain and other organizations, with
bands, bunting and decorations. Presi-
dent Lawton, of the Board of Trade
was requested to invite the merchants
to decorate their buildings and to con-
tribute to the entertainment of the Off
GERS and guests of honor.
The plans so far adopted include q
parade, as outlined above, starting at
o'clock, going through the principal
streets to the Auditorium, where The
oratorical display and presentation i.
to be made at o'clock, after which tn,
marines and militia will parade bacl
to the vessel and disband. General G
]. Hart, General J. Parke Postles anC
Major Edmund Mitchell are named tC
act as marshals and to take entire
charge of the parade, which the com
mittee hope will eclipse anything of the
kind ever before seen in Delaware.
Mayor McLear will welcome and pre-
sent the guests and act as master Of
ceremonies, and it is expected to have
the foremost orators of the state in at
tendance to speak for the Blue Hens
Chickens.
Chairman Morrison was directed t
invite the secretary Of the navy anC
other prominent naval men, and will
assign hosts to those who accept, 81
that all may be properly entertained.
The committee expects to have made
a die from which to strike sterling sill
yer buttons to be given to the crew, anC
to the contributors as souvenirs, anC
arrangements are under discussion t
provide an elegant banquet, to whicl
only the contributors and guests are {,
be invited
The committee has on hand in banl
$1,766.S0. This will not be sufficient {,
defray all the expenses Of the day, ant
it is hoped that all public-spirited citi
zens will now come forward and assis
by their contributions in making th'
2Sd day of November a memorable ont
in the history of this city.