Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-15
THE EXPOSITION
Which is to Display American
Manufactures and Benefit Ameri-
can Trade, Formally Opened.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, September IA.
With ceremonies unattended by osten-
tation the National Export Exposition
was formally opened at noon to-day
Distinguished visitors from all sections
OF the country We're in attendance, in
Guiding representative of the diplomat
ic corps officers OF the army and navy,
scientists and business and professional
men. After the benediction by Arch
bishop Ryan, which concluded the ded-
icatory exercises, a message was re-
ceived from President Mckinley ex-
tending greetings and officially open
ing the great exposition. When the
message had been read uhe chorus OF
six hundred voices and the audience
sang The Star Spangled Banner" &C
companied by the United States Ma
rine band and the big exposition Or
gan.
The exposition grounds were opened
to the pubic at O'clock this morning
and long before noon thousands of
people had passed through the gates.
The dedicatory ceremonies were held
in the immens auditorium which was
crowded to its capacity.
The first event of the day was the
landing of Admiral Sampson and the
officers Of mis- squadron at Chestnut
street pier. Carriages were in waiting
and the naval officers were driven 10
the city hall wherein Mayor AShbridge's
Office they met Gov. Stone and his
staff. the officers and directors of the
National Export Association, the off,
GERS and trustees of the commercial
museum, the officers and managers Of
the Franklin Institute, various railway
officials and about 100 other prominent
men of Philadelphia and other cities.
Subsequently the company in the
Mayors office re-eniered the carriages
and were conveyed to the exposition
grounds, escorted by platoon OF
mounted police and two hundred and
fifty marines from the North Atlantic
squadron.
Arriving at the grounds the distin-
guished guests were escorted to the
platform in the auditorium. In the alb
sence of P A. B. Widener, president
of the exposition, the first vice presi-
dent. w. w. Foulkrod, delivered the
address turning the exposition over TO
the Governor of Pennsylvania. Direc-
tor General Wilson delivered an adj
dress on the Inception, purpose, plan
and scope of the exposition.
1.-The purpose of this exposition, .
said Director Wilson, lis to show the
foreign consumer what the American
manufacturer can make and how
cheaply and how well he can make.
1.-THE governments of the whole world
have been invited and have accepted
the invitation TO send their delegates;
the leading chambers of commerce OF
every country of the globe organized
bodies to which are entrusted the COM
mercial affairs Of their respective coun-
tries-have been invited and have &C
cepted the invitation"
Gov Stone made an address welcom-
ing the visitors, accepting the exposi-
ton and turning it over to the Mayor
of Philadelphia.
Mayor Ashbridge accepted the expo
sition from the Governor and then Con.
gresham w P. Hepburn, OF Iowa,
chairman of the Compression commit
tee on interstate and foreign commerce,
delivered the Grafton of the day.
The benediction was pronounced by
Archbishop Ryan, of this city, and at
its conclusion President McKinleys
message was read and the National Ex-
port Exposition became a fact.
AT the conclusion of the exercises the
auditorium was thrown open to the
public and the prominent guests in
spected the buildings, grounds and ex-
hibits.