Evening star., 1898-11-14
SAW THE PRESIDENT
The Committee to Take Charge Of the
Centennial Celebration.
COMMISSIONER WIGHT'S LETTER
Mr.. Mckinley Thoroughly in SYM
pathy With the Project.
S ME SUG ESTION s

The President this morning received the
committee of citizens recently appointed by
District Commissioner Wight under au-
thority conferred upon him at mass meet
ing of citizens to consider the question of
properly celebrating the centennial ami
versary of the establishment Of the national
capital The committee, which consists of
Messrs. James G. Berret, A. T. Brltton, c.
]. Bell, John Joy Edison, Lawrence Gard
ner, NJ. M. Parker, r. Ross Perry, Theo-
dore W. Noyes and John W. THOMPSON
was accompanied by Commissioner Wight
the sX-officio chairman of the committee
the only absentee being Mr.. Edson
Alter presenting the members of the COM
mlttee Mr.. Wight handed the President the
following letter, explanatory of the commit
tees errand:
The Explanatory Letter
The citizens of the District of Columbia
are deslrous OF celebrating in an appropri-
ate manner the centennial of the removal
ol the government to it's permanent capital
in the city of Washington
AT a meeting of citizens held on the even
ing of the oath of October the chairman
was authorized to appoint a committee of
hlne 10 consider plans for such a celebration
ana report to a meeting of citizens when
prepared TO make suitable recommendations
MS committee has been appointed, and
consists of the following gentlemen: James
G. Berret A. T. Britton c. ]. Bell M M
Parker, X. Ross Perry, John Joy Edison. !
W. Thompson, 7. w. Moves and Lawrence
Gardner. all of whom have had experience
in conducting matters Of this kind six of
them having acted as chairmcn of inaug-
ural ceremonies
A meeting of the committee was held on
the evening of the 1st of November and
after fully discussing the subject. il an
Iedred to he the
those present that the celebrat ton should
be national in its character. rather than
local and 1t was suggested that the COM
mittee should be enlarged by the selection
of an equal number of gentlemen to repre-
sent the national government go that in
the beginning of this important movement
there should be full conference and united
action by the representatives of both the
federal and District governments
Awaiting such an enlargement Of the
committee, no steps have been taken to-
ward the formulation of any definite plans
but the gentlemen already appointed feel
that the celebration should be in keeping
with the dignity and Importance of the oc-
casion and that it should be marked in
some permanent way by the erection of
suitable building or arch, other struct-
ure, which would emphasize and perpet-
uate the occasion for all time.
The committee therefore, has the honor
to request that this subject may be made
part of your annual message to the Con-
gress of the United States, and, If consist
ent with your sense of public duty, that
you suggest a suitable appropriation to
carry out an object SO patriotic and in
which the whole country will without doubt
gladly take part.
You are respectfully requested to appoint
as members Of this committee such a num-
Der of gentlemen as you may deem proper
to represent the federal government
Mr.. Berrct's Outline.
Mr.. Wight called up Mr.. Berret to out
committee have in mind for celebrating the
event, and in response Mr.. Berret said that
first of all it seemed to the committee that
the occasion should be national in charac-
ter and fully in keeping with the dignity
of the event. 1t had been suggested, he
stated. that some permanent structure
should be erected here, possibly memo
rial hall, in which many relics of historical
Importance and value could be stored and
viewed by the thousands of people who
visit the national capital, or perhaps the
erection of a memorial bridge across the
Potomac. 1t is thought, said Mr. Berret
that the committee of arrangements should
not be simply local in character, but should
be enlarged by the addition of men who
would represent the national government.
Replying to Mr.. Berrets remarks the
President, who seemed deeply interested,
said that he was favorably impressed with
the suggestions made by Mr.. Berret and
thought it eminently fitting that the occa-
sion should be celebrated.
He remarked that American celebrations
properly managed, are great factors in
pushing ahead the development of the
country, and at no time, he said since the
settlement of the anti-slavery question has
there been more auspicious time than the
present for such a celebration. He referred
to the absence of all sectional feeling and
to the sentiment of good will existing
throughout the country, remarking that
everything seemed to lend itself to the sue
fIi .a.ll llNr.t ton,
said he would be glad to consider the mat
ter and TO refer to it in his annual mes
sage to Congress, or in a later message,
and assured the committee that if Congress
would give him the authority he would be
glad to appoint on the committee certain
representatives of the national government.
Some suggestions.
1t was suggested during the conference
with the President that, inasmuch as the
celebration is to be national event. it
would be appropriate to appoint the gov
ernors of the several states of the Union
1t was also suggested that the first step to
be taken after the meeting of Congress
would be to secure the passage of resoiu-
ton reciting that the event should be OBJ
served by a fitting celebration and author
izing the President of the Senate, the
Speaker of the House of Representatives
and the President to appoint additional
members of the committee to formulate
plans for celebrating the occasion and to
secure such further legislation as may be
deemed proper and necessary.
As incidental to the celebration it was
remarked that great good would result to
the District, as there would be a general
cleaning up Of the city, the doing away of
grade crossings and a general improve
ment of the city, such to place it in
proper condition to receive the thousands
Of people who will undoubtedly be attracted
here by the celebration.
It is thought that meeting of citizens
will be called in few days, at which .he
committee will submit it's report. which re-
port. it is believed, will be promptly ap-'
Iroved
Army Orders.