The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-11-02
President mckinley Here,
His Cordial Reception.
Speeches by HIN, Gen. Fitz. Lee and
Secretary Root-Ths Launching Of
the shubriek at Richmond.

Long before dawn Tuesday morning
the Committees on Arrangements and
Reception were at the depot ready TO
board the early train for Quantico IL
meet President VIM Mckinley and
party. only TO find the train nearly
two hours late.
Councilman NJ & Willis. chairman
Councilman George W. Wroten, Post
master John NJ Griffin. Major T. T..
Morris. T n Brent, W II Merchant
aud A p Rowe. Jr.. were the only
members OF the committee who faced
the wind and rain Of the dark morning.
IL was after seven O'Clock when the
committee left Fredericksburg on the
belated train. which soon reached
Qlantico where a good breakfast had
been provided At the hotel through the
forethought If Dol + D. Cole. who
was prevented from making the trip by
the sickness Of his brother. Mr. ID q.
Cole. The committee was Joined at
breakfast by the genial Acting Super
inteudent II II Wright and Conductor
Wright both of whom came up on tho
early train
When the train bearing the Presi .
dent reached Qlautico, engine NJ 20
with Engineer W Z Bryant at the
throttle. was quickly substituted for
the Pennsylvania Railroad engine. and
Capt f Dickinson took charge Of the
train.
The Fredericksburg Committee was
met by Mr. W p Taylor, the active
and courteous traffic manager of the
r F. &P X r who at once arrang-
ed for an interview with the President.
The President. with two companions.
was ENJOYING cigar when the delega-
ton entered the car. the members u
which were separately introduced by
Mr.. Taylor The President gave each
gentleman "A cordial grasp Of the hand,
and a warm greeting and recognized
those who bad called on him IN Wash
ington. last Friday lie expressed re-
gret that the weather WAS 50 iurle-
meut and then euqulred about the
program for Fredericksburg When It
was stated that the train would stop
.even minutes. the President suggested
that Mr. Willis might take h'lt the
time to make speech but the latter
gentleman insisted that the whole time
should be taken up in giving the people
an opportunity g. see aud hear the Pre'l-
dent
Notwithstanding the d)wnp9ur Of
rain quite a large crowd had assembled
at the depot here when the train bear
ing the Presiden, and party 70 Rich
mond arrived at 94j, accompanied
from Qllutico 10y the committee from
this city
As the train palled into the depot the
crowd cheered and coverings Band
PLAYED Hail to the Chief 90 When the
train stopped the President appeared at
the rear end Of the or aud was intro
duced by Mr. NJ G Willis, chairman
Of the Joint committees appointed by
the c uncil and Business Mons ASS
tion
THE PRESIDENTS SPEECH
After the vociferous cheering taat
followed the Introduction. the PEST
dent said:
MY fellow citizens IL gives me
very great pleasure 20 meet my fell
low citizens Of Fredericksburg. and
your welcome Is all the more ap'
preoiated because, upon such an
inclement morning, 50 many Il the
PEOPLE have assembled here l am sure
You will not expect me to do more than
IN make this simple acknOw Judgment
Of your courtes and kindness l know
YOU will be glad to meet the members
of the Cabinet. who are accompanying
me, and also one Of your own distin-
guished fellow-citizens, who is jour
nevipg with me 20 Richmond. IL gives
me very great pleasure TO present 70 you
the Secretary Of State. Dol John Hay
the Secretary Of the Treasury Lyman }
Gage; the Secretary Of War, Mr
Root; the Secretary Of the Navy.
Hon. John d. Long the Secretary OF
the Interior Mr.. Hitchc )ck. and the
farmer Of the Cabinet, Mr. Wilson, OF
Iowa
Loud cheering followed the presenta-
ton Of each member.
Then the President said "And now,
my fellow citizens. l know You Will
be glad TO meet and greet your ow q
fellow-citizsn, the distinguished Gen.
Lee
GEN. LEE SPEAKS.
.aF