Evening journal., 1897-06-03
A NOTABLE BANQUET
Given to the Commercial Lead
ers at Philadelphia
A BRILLIANT ASSEMBLY PRESENT.
Among the Distinguished Guests Were
the President and Members of His
Cabinet-Nearly Fifteen Hun
dred Persons Participated.

dred Persons Participated.
Philadelphia, June 3.-The commercial |
leaders of the western hemisphere as
sembled in the great exchange room
of the Bourse last night at what was
probably the most notable banquet ever
given on this continent.
The banquet was notable not only |
in point Of members, nearly 1,5OO per-
sons participating, but In the distinc-
tion of the chief guests. President Nc
Kinley was there, and he spoke to the |
assembly. Seated also at the table Of |
honor were Secretary of Agriculture |
Wilson, Attorney General McKenna, |
Congressman Dingley, Dalzell, Glesve- |
nor, Heatwold and Tawney, the minis
ters from Mexico, Brazil. Chile, Argen- |
tine, Venezuela and other South Amer |
lean governments, the Chinese minister
and a number of eminent officials from
the capital.
The hall in which the dinner was held
covers an entire block in area. 1t was
gorgeous with light and color. The
massive pillars supporting the gallery
which stretches around the room were
draped abundantly in the national col
ors, while between them hung in ample
folds the flags of all the governments
on the American continent. The guests
on entering passed under an archway
of ferns and smilax and were greeted
by a magnificent sight. On every side
stood huge potted palms, and the ta-
bles were literally smothered with cut
flowers. But the most effective feature
of the decorations was the light ar
rangement.
A Brilliant Spectacle.
Trailing lines Of tiny electric lights
In ryorfroforad p1ohac oparlrlad from
the midst Of the flowers which filled the
centers Of the tables, and others scin-
tillated between the folds Of the flags
with which the walls were hung. En-
sconed in a compartment formed by
walls Of flags at one end of the hall was
the Marine band, under Director Fan
ciulli, which alternated with the Ger
mania orchestra, stationed at the other
end
Owing to the great number of guests,
nearly an hour was occupied in getting
them seated, and almost Immediately
after this had been accomplished a
great shout from the eastern end Of
the hall announced the arrival Of the
presidential party
This was at o'clock. Escorted by
Mayor Warwick and DR.. William Pep
per, president of the Commercial mu-
Hcullcs anu loAAOMtu ny 0GAANNaAg bA-
ter, the cabinet officers and foreign
ministers. the executive passed to his
seat amid storm OF cheers. To avoid
undue delay in reaching the toasts the
serving Of the banquet was promptly
begun.
President Mckinley sat at the right
of the presiding officer. DR.. Pepper, and
on his other side sat Theodore C.
Learch. The secretary Of agriculture,
the attorney. general, Mayor Strong Of
New York, Mayor Warwick and a num-
Der of the foreign ministers occupied
seats at the same table
Governor Hastings opened the post
prandial talking with a response to
welcome from Pennsylvania.
Theodore c. Learch followed, with
"Our Manufacturing Industries"
The Brazilian minister spoke briefly,
and ex-Secretary Olney then responded
TO international Law"
The Chinese minister responded to
''The Orient" and then followed Pres
ident McKinley's speech in response to
the toast, "The President Of the United
States"
Following the president, Ministers
Perez of Mexico, Fernandez of Costa
Rica, the Argentine minister and Con-
Eressman Dalzell responded to appro-
pirate toasts.
The Commercial COME renee.
The banquet was given in conjunction
with the international commercial con-
ference, which had it's inception in the
Philadelphia Commercial museum. un-
der the auspices Of which institution
the conference was held.
Among those in attendance at the
conference were President Mckinley
members Of the,cabinet and quite num-
ber Of ministers and other representa-
tives of foreign countries. The dele
gates themselves, about so, were rep
resentatives Of foreign commercial bod
ies, principally of Mexico and Central
America In addition to the foreign
delegates TO the conference there were
also representatives present from COM
mercial and trade organizations Of al
most every city Of Importance in the
United States.
The principal address was delivered
by President Mckinley
DR.. William Pepper, president of the
Philadelphia Commercial museum, ex-
planned the objects and aims of the mu-
scum, for the advancement OF which
this conference had been called. He
said 1t had been organized for the pur.
pose OF promoting trade with foreign
countries anu particularly with the op
ject of obtaining information relativ,
to the worlds markets and all trad,
conditions in foreign lands which Nigh
lead TO an increase OF our export trade
He said that although the museum wa
located in Philadelphia It had no loca
significance, but was national in IL
scope and Importance.
Fatally Injured by an Explosion,
Greenwich, Conn. June s.-Thoma