The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-26
CELEBRATING THE
LOUISIANA PURCHASE
Western Men Meet at the
Banquet Board.
Speeches by Distinguished States
men in the Arlington.
Preliminary Steps to nm Internal
tionaI Exposition in ST.
Louis in 1903.

and sea have altered the map of the
world, American liberty has been extended,
with all its manifold benefits 10 an OPP
pressed people and the American flag has
been raised and proudly floats. respected
by all nations, in another hemisphere.
There have been few happenings of greater
significance, so far as the attitude of the
leaders OF the people of the Republic is
concerned, than the banquet of the execu-
tive committee of the Louisiana Purchase
Convention, which was held in the banquet
hall of the Arlington Hotel last night.
II was the initial meeting, at the Ma
tional Capital, of body of men who, i'm
bued with the great Importance of that
transaction in the development of the
nation. when the policy of progression and
expansion advocated by Thomas jefferson
met and triumphed over the same obtec-
items and difficulties which now, after the
lapse of almost century, obstruct its
path have determined that an exposition
in which all the countries of the world
shall take part. is alone fitting 10 properly
commemorate it.
That the movement inaugurated by the
committee of residents of the territory &C
Quired by the Louisiana Purchase, whose
patriotism has inspired them TO devote
their time and means TO the bringing
about Of such a commemOration, VIII be
successful. was demonstrated by the at
tendance at the banquet last night. Mem
bers of the Cabinet, Senators, represents
lives. and public men from all parts OF
The country filled the hall. and all who
were not called upon to speak applauded
the eloquent utterances g those who
voiced the sentiment OF the country in
regard to the achievements Of the past and
the future destiny of the United States.
A Future Exposition.
The banquet was given by twenty-five
prominent citizens of St. Louis, 10 Sena-
tors. Representatives, and other promi-
nent men from the States and Territories
embraced in the Louisian Purchase. 1t
Is preliminary 10 steps which will be taken
TO engage the interest of national legis!a-
tors and the general public in the interna-
tional exposition which 1t is proposed 10
hold in 81. Louis in 1903. the centenary OF
the acquisition of the territory for which
this Government paid SIS, 100000 TO France.
Former Gov D. r. Francis, of Missouri,
presided and acted as POSTMASTER. On his
right sat Secretary Gage, Senator Teller,
Representative Dolliver, and Senator Nc
Emery. Secretary Hitchcock occupied the
seat on his left, and next TO him sat Sen
ator Thurston, Secretary Wilson, Senator
Berry, Senator Gear, Representatives
Clarke and Curtis, and Senator Cockrell.
Senators, Representatives, heads OF depart
ments, and many others of prominence in
political and business life, made up the
greater part of those present.
The environment was in keeping with
so memorable a gathering. The beautiful
banquet hall OF the Arlington Hotel was
lavishly decorated with flowers, vines, and
ribbons, and its mirrored sides reflected,
each in the other, the picturesque scene,
until one could almost fancy that count
saEI II.
a palace Of cleaning crystal. The ceilings
were hung with green vines, caught with
white and blue ribbons; blooming gar
denias OF pink and white were banked
around the mirrors. and punches of mag
nihcent roses of the same tint stood in
front Of every plate. In front of the presi-
dents seat were banks of roses, and wax
candles under pink shades shimmered
along the tables occupied by the speakers
of the evening. The ceilings and vine
covered walls were studded with electric
lights.
An Enjoyable Feature.
The material features Of the dinner were
not lacking in excellence. Manager Ben
nett Of the Arlington had provided every
requisite for the comfort and enjoyment of
the guests and there were but expressions
Of praise. The menu follows:
Cape Cod Specials.
Puree 81. GerTnaine.
Filet Of Sole. Dreaded Tartar Sauce.
Potatoes Parisienne.
Tenderloin Of Beef, Larded, with Mushrooms.
Terrapin. Arlington STYLE.
Laila Rookh Punch.
Jack Snpe, Barded, Sur Canape.
Lettuce Salad.
Tutti fuGtti Ice Cream.
Fancy Cakes.
Coffee. Cigars.
Haul Sluternc.
Amontillado Sherry.
ST. EsteDhe
Ruinart. Brut.
The representatives Of the St. Louis COM
mittee of two hundred, in charge Of the
banquet were s. W. Cobb, R. c. Kerens,
former Gov. William ]. Stone, D. B. Rob
inson, H. T. Kent, c. H. Spencer, and
Breckinridge Jones. Those representing
the executive committee were former Gov
ernor Francis and Howard Elliott, of St
Louis: John Perry, Of Kansas City; w. C
Perry OF Fort Scott Kas. Frank Hill. Of
Arkansas, and Lafayette Young, of Iowa.
The banquet was originally scheduled
for o'clock but was delayed until an houI
later. Long before that time, however
the guests began to assemble in the parlors
of the hotel. Nearly all of them were from
the territory embraced in the Louisiana
Purchase. which is officially represented
in Washington, besides Senators. Repre-
sentatives and delegates, by Ethan Allen
Hitchcock, of Missouri, Secretary of the In
terror: James Wilson. of Iowa, Secretary OF
Agriculture; Webster Davis, Assistan:
Secretary OF the Interior; Thomas Ryan
First Assistant Secretary OF the Interior;
Binger Herman, Commissioner of the Gen
eral Land Office: Willis Vandevanter, AS
sistant Attorney General; Joseph l.. Bris-
toe, Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
and many others. All were interested in
the projected exposition in recognition OF
the benefits of expansion, and IL is doubt
full IL there has assembled in the same spa
cious apartments for long time such q
body OF representative men who were more
thoroughly in harmony with the purposes
OF the gathering.
detachment from Haley's Military
Band was stationed in the parlors OF the
hotel. where IL provided music until the
time came for the banquet. when ii was
placed within the banquet hall When
the hour set for the beginning of the
event arrived the big doors leading from
the brilliantly decorated hall into the
pariors were thrown open and. TO the mu-
sic OF an inspiring march, the guests filed
in. Plates had been provided for 15s
guests, and las sat down al the tables.
The Tonstmnster AppIauded.
An hour was spent in the discussion OF
the good things which the menu called for
and when that pleasant task was finished
everyone was in an agreeable humor for
the eloquent addresses which followed
Former Governor Francis, as POSTMASTER
made the first speech, which was a mag
nificent tribute to the people OF the States
and Territories In the Louisiana Pur-
chase, their progress and the foresight OF
the fathers of the Republic which had i'm
n Transaction pft