The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-17

guests stood In line and were introduced
| to and shook hands with fully 2tv0 per
sons This receiving party stood ss fol.
lows. under large canopy: Hon. w.
Market club; President Mckinley Gov
ernor Wolcott, Secretary Gage, Secretary
Alger, Postmaster General Smith, Score
tary Long. Secretary Bliss. Congressman
Grosvsnor and Lieut.. Governor w. Muir
ray Crane.
The reception committee who conduc ted
and introduced the various persons TO the
President and bis party were under
Charles y. Hutchins OF Worcester chnir-
man. The reception hall was prettiiy de-
oorated with hags. together with ferns
and potted plants. There was no;delay
and the line was kept constantly NOV.
ing.
At O'Clock after the President had
rested for few IN moments, the bugle
sounded, announcing that the banquet
WAS ready to be served and the immSase
company marched into the hall, to music
by Stewards band.
The sight disclosed as the guests took
fheir seats at the various tables. was al
most hey ond description. The apparently
endless number of tables were each deco.
rated with flowers and dainty dishes.
No pains had been spared to make this
the finest p!eos CT decorative art that the
city has seen for many yeare.
The Presidents table was conspicuous
by the immense bouquets of merican
beauty roses and pinks upon 1t, together
with two large lamps with pink shades.
1t was drap,d with sHilax, over red,
white and blue bunting.
Over the speakers platform were large
pictures of thomas Is. Reed and Presi
dent Harrison, and between them the ban
ner of the Home Market club under
which both Presidents H3rrison and Nc
kinley were nominated at the national
conventions. Upon the balcony opposite
was picture of Admiral Dewey, with
appropriate notices
The menus were handsome affairs.
At the Presidents plate was q beauti-
ful satin bound menu. with an elaborate
hand painted cover. those for the guests
were similar. though not so expensive.
President Mckinley sat at the front of
the platform and those at his table and
their positions were as follows:
/. Judge Francis Q. Lowell 2, Bishop
william f. Mallalieu; 8. William T.
Castle; 4, Postmaster Henry A. Thomas;
5, Mayor Josiah Quincy; o, Secretary
John ID. Long, 7, Secretary Russell A.
Alsrr; s,Governor Roger Wolcott; 9, Hon.
William b. Plunkett; TO- the President;
master General Charles Emory Smith;
| lS, Secretary Cornelius n. Bliss; IA. Col
| leotor Lyman; 10, Governor Frank w.
Rollins of New Hampshire; 16. Hon. W,
Murray Crane; II. Hon. William n.
Strong; is, Hon. George A. Martin.
The invocation was pronounced by
Bishop Maililieu. There was great en-
thusiasm when the dinner had been CON
Quoted and some of the tables removed
| to make room for chairs. IL was several
moments before President Plunkett co Id
make himself heard amid the tumultu
Gus applause which greeted him as he
arose formally TO open the post praDdial
exercises When. at length, he could be
heard, he said:
To the Gentlemen of the Home Market
Club and Guests:
81 bid you welcome to another OF these
most pleasant reunions as you have come
together TO review the past and TO draw
fresh inspiration for the work of the
| future.
"The year Just closed has been an
eventful one in the history of our repub-
lie. The first gun of the Incompatible
| Dewey at Manila was the herald of a
portentious change. Like the historic
shot at Lexington. its echo WAS heard
around the world"
at was the beginning of a new chapter
in the development of our national life,
the thrusting upon us of new RESPONSE
blities and duties that must be met,
duties and responsibilities that can
neither be resolved nor explained away
I'VE should be willing TO leave the
details of this great and sacred trust TO
the Congress that assumes it, and TO the
untiring philanthropy and broad patrio'
tism of our most wise and Christian
| Chief Magistrate.
Governor wolcott was introduced as
| the first speaker.
| Gov. Woioott said In part:
"In the name of the government OF the
| Commonwealth of Massachu usetts and on
| behalf of all her people, irrespective OF the
differences of political opinion. exteod
| a cordial welcome. strong and sincere as
are the love and loyalty of men OF New
England birth to President Mchiniey
and to the distinguished gentlemen VINO
have accompanied him bither, ana VINO
have been chosen to aid him In pea.ins
the mighty burden Of official responsible
ty. Since the days Of the wise and patent