The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-01
TENNEssEE's CENTENNIAL.
Everything i'm Readiness for the
Opening To-day.

Nashville, Tenn, April S0-In spite Of
constant rain for a week. delaying and re-
tarding work in every department, order
has been made to take the place of con-
fusion and the Centennial city practically
complete, with exhibits in every building,
is ready to throw open its gates to-mor-
row morning.
Visitors have been coming all day. and
tonight trains from all directions brought
in more. Hon. Adlal E. Stevenson and
party, Gov. Lon V. Stevens and Mrs. Stew
ems of Missouri have already come and
will participate in the simple opening
ceremonies.
Though some of the buildings, including
the government building and some of tho
special state buildings, will not be fully
completed for some days, every building
that is to contain exhibits Is ready for
occupation and in all of them are exhibits,
In twelve large and commanding struot>
ures busy scenes have been enacted
night and day this week, while exhibits
We're put in place and tinishing touches
given. These are the auditorium Par
thenon, which is the art gallery, com
merce, woman's, agricultural, machinery,
minerals and forestry, transportation
children's historical, government. negro
and railway.
The roads and walks shrubbery and
grass. are In excellent condition, but the
inclement weather has prevented the re-
moval of the flowers and plants from the
green houses.
The Cincinnati. Knoxville and other city
buildings are ready.
The exhibits made by the railroads, both
north and south, Is extensive and com
plete, and consists In large measure Of
out of door displays of minerals, plants
and trees.
The official ceremonies tomorrow VIII
be brief and simple, with no special eff
fort at display but marked by dignity.
The following programme viii be OBJ
served
Parade of the Ancient Essenic Order
and other orders. with 5000 men in line,
starting promptly on Broad street al S:45,
as an escort to Gov. Robert l.. Taylor,
who will be accompanied by state and city
officials and his fun staff.
The opening exercises In the auditorium
at II a. m, with prayer by Bishop Gay
lor, and when Gov. Taylor, President
Thomas, Director General Lewis, Chief
Justice Snodgrass OF the state supreme
court, the speaker Of the state Senate, the
speaker of tho House, and Mayor McCar-
thy will deliver short addresses.
Starting the machinery with the cleo
tric signal by President Mckinley at noon.
Formal reception of the Moretti foun-
tain of electricity on behalf of the wo-
mans board at the woman's building,
where Mrs. " l.. Kirkman, president OF
the woman's board. assisted by the four
vice presidents of the woman's depart
ment, Miss Florence Drouillard, Mrs. c.
N. Grosvenor, Mrs. X. w. Thomas and
Miss Mary B. Temple, the secretary, Miss
Ada Scott Alice, and the treasurer Mrs.
r. Il. Weakly, will be handed the key with
which to turn on the water and start the
fountain.
Public reception in the woman's build
ing
Opening exercises In the children's
building, beginning at p m.
Grand open air concert at the band
stand, near Lake Watauga.
At night the domes and fronts Of all the
buildings win be illuminated with electric
lights. 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 decorated with flags and
bunting, and the day will be a public hol-
iday.