The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-22

not very elaborate or impressive, beyond
the ringing of church bells, closing Of the
banks and city and state offlcss, and the
time honorcd parade by the First Light
Infantry Reigmeut in the afternoon, there
Is very little to indicate festive occnsion.
1t is true that the theatres provide
matinee performances and that savera
more or less patriotic associations meet
for the purpose of dining and talking,
but even this does not quite cOps IN to
the standard of what one v ould consider
is due To the observance Of the birthday
anniversary Of the flrsr president of the
United States 1t Is probat 10 that 1t was
In visw of the fact that there are other
states besides Rhode Island which fail to
recognize the day as great national
festival that the tecretary,of state, Hon.
John Sherman OF Ohio, has given his
endorsement to the effort that is being
made to secure the selection of washing
tons birthday ~ permanent holiday to
be- OF rytd by all citizsns of the United
States.
MIR. sherman saws: "In war and In
peace he did more than any one else 10
secure the Independence OF our country
in the constitution, His example ss
resident has been the best guide for his
SUCCESSORS, and 1t is the duty ot all eoot
American citizsns to follow his Irecspts.
He left Providence on tho morning Of
March Is, and during his soiourn in this
city he was entertained Mt the HOUSE, OF
Hon. .Iapez Bowen, thsn deputy governor
of the state, and at the residence of the
famous stephen Hopkins on South Main
street, which has since been moved back
on to Hopkins street
In August, 1890, President Washington
came from New York on the packet
Hancock, Accompanied by Governor
Clinton of New York and several other
distinguished gentlemen. \ PROCESSION
escorted the president and his suite from
the wharf to his lodging at the Golden
Ball Inn on benefit street which still
stands today and Is known as the Man
sion House. A federal salute with
ringing OF bells announced bis arrival,
and the town was decorated with flags
In the evening tie college edifice WAS
brilliantly Illuminated. Next morning
the pre- sident and his suite, accompanied
bv Governor Fenner of Rhode Island,
visited ss-eral points Of interest in the
town, and at y. m about 500 gentlemen
pnrtook Of an entertainment at the court
house which is the somewhat vensrsuls
but very inronvenient 5niluipg which Ia
in uss today az the state house. AT the
conclusion of this entertainment Presi.
dent Washington and his party were es.
cortsd TO thu packet and took thsir de-
parturs from Providence
These appear 10 be the only records
Of the visits made by George Wnshingt n
20 Providence. although some statements
have leen maze o tho effect that he re-
turned sut s,quent 60 l190 Ihfrs is
however. no authentic record of n fourth
visit hence 10 Va fair TO presume that
nous such occurred.
General Washington vns no stranger TO
the people of l,hole Island, having visited
New port and Bristol, and made no lass
than three visits 20 this city. While tn
earlier records q the town OF Providence
are. perhnpA not as clear upon the sub.
Iect as ore misft wish iepnruing tbs de-
tsils Il these visits enough Is known
show that upon each occasion che father
Of his country was toiged Win great
joy by tic ass 'rhltd Re PIE.
The first visit of the illasiriors Ameri.
can recorded. occurred on FrirRF, Aprff7
3, l77b. He cane arre 10 consult with
Gov. Nicholas Cooke aud tie numbers Il
his council, In regard 90 GffAiis OF stat,
and was present Ia the evening at Too
entertainment given in bis honor. while
some people make The statement that Zen.
Mashlr 0toD pnssgd thy Itght ~ the Wsy
bO = iIOus ahlsb was located where tie
bsDisan banding STANDS 10 az. tbore hfe
others Who hsssrt that ths hostslry
which was bOnsrsd hy ~ pftseu,e ws-
the Amsrica1 House. iosatsd ON North
Main street.
On tuesday. March 10 l1sl, Gen. Wash.