Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-09-21
THE EXPORT EXPOSITION
II Was Opened in Philadelphia,
With Appropriate Cerem0-
mics, Thursday.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PRESENT
At the Conclusion of the Dedi-
catory Exercises, a Message
of Greeting Was Receiv-
& ed From President.

Philadelphia, Pa, Sept. 14.-With
ceremonies unattended by ostentation,
tho National Export Exposition was
formally opened at noon today. Hun
dreds Of distinguished visitors from all
sections Of the country were in attend
ance, including representatives of the
diplomatic corps. officers of the army
and navy, scientists and business and
professional men. After the benedic-
ton, by Archbishop Ryan, which con-
cluded the dedicatory exercises, mes
sage was received from President
Mckinley, extending greetings and
officially opening tho great exposition.
When the message had boon read, the
chorus and audience sang Tho Star
Spangled Banner" accompanieds by
the United States Marine Band and
the grand organ.
The exposition grounds were opened
to the public at O'Clock this MORN
ing, and long before noon thousands of
people Ind passed through the gates.
When the dedicatory ceremonies began,
the immense auditorium was crowded
to its capacity, and the grounds were
filled with those unable to secure adj
mission to the spacious building.
Tho first event OF the day was the
landing of Admiral Sampson and the
officers of his squadron, at Chestnut
street pier, at 10 O'Clock. Carriages
were in waiting, and the naval officers
were driven to the City Hall, where, in
Mayor Ashbridge's office, they met
Gov. Stone and his staff, the officers
and directors of the National Export
Association, the officers and trustees Of
the Commercial Museum, the officers
and managers of the Franklin Insti-
tute, President Cassatt of the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad Co., President Harris
of the Philadelphia & Reading railway,
President Walter Of the I.ehigh Valley
railroad and about 100 other prominent
| citizens of Philadelphia and other
cities, A detachment of $50 marines,
commanded by Major Paul st. Clair
Murphy, from Admiral Simpsons
squadron, marched from the pier to the
City Hall, where they awaited the APP
pearance of the mayors distinguished
visitors Promptly at IL. 10 O'Clock,
the company in the mayors office re-
entered the carriages, and were con-
veyed to the exposition grounds, pre-
coded by platoon of mounted police,
and escorted by the marines and the
United States Marine Band.
Arriving Iat the grounds, the dis
tipgnished guests were escorted to the
platform in the auditorium. The
Marine Band and a chorus of 600 voices
occupied seats Immediately in front Of
! the stage. The ceremonies began with
an overture by the Marine Band, fol
lowed by prayer by the Rev. Kerr Boyce
! Topper, u. ID. "America' was sung
by the chorus and audience, the Marine
Band and grand organ accompanying.
In the absence Of +. a. b. Widener,
president of the exposition. the first
vice. president, W. W. Foulkrod, de
livered the address turning the exposi
tion over to the governor of Pennsyl
vaniu. "The Heavens Are Telling
was rendered by the chorus and Marine
Band, after which Director General W.
p. Wilson delivered an address on thu
Inception, Purpose, Plan and Scope
of the Exposition. Gov. Stone mad,
an address, welcoming the visitors
accepting the exposition and turning
it over to the mayor of Philadelphia
Mayor Ashbridge accepted the exposi
ton from the governor, and then Con
gresham w. p. Hepburn of Iowa
chairman of the Congressional com
nittee on interstate and foreign com
merce, delivered the GRAFTON of the day
At the conclusion of the exercises
the auditorium was thrown open to tn
public, and the prominent guests in
spected the buildings, grounds ant
exhibits,