The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-10-10
LAYING or THE CORNERSTONE.
Ceremonies at ChicaGO's MaGnId-
cent POstoficc.


cent POstoIiicc.
Chicago. Oct. 9-Surroundcd by men
who guide the diplomatic relations of three
governments, and in The presence of thou
sands of spectators. President Mckinley
to-day formally laid the cornerstone of the
magnificent new federal building Of Chi
cago.
In the angle formed by the south and
west wings OF the federal building at
jackson boulevard and Dearborn streets,
and in front of the Union League Club, a
reviewing stand had been erected for the
accommodation of the distinguished visit
ors, including Vice President Mariscal and
party of Mexico; Premier Iaurier of Cam
ada and other notab.es Of that country:
members of President McKinley's cabinet
and the diplomatic corps at Washington:
senators, congressman and other invited
guests and when President Mckinley
threw the first trowel fun of mortar un,
per and uplifted block of limestone and
pronounced the cornerstone set. one of the
most notable gatherings ever in Chicago
looked on.
The President received a hearty ovation
as he drove to the stand Judge Chris
tan c. Kohlsaat, chairman of the Com
mittee on Ceremonies, introduced Secre-
tary of the Treasury Lyman j. Gage as
presiding officer for the cornerstone exer-
cises. The Secretary was warmly cheered
as he stepped forward M
At the conclusion of Secretary Cages
brief address, Rev Frank w GonsauIu4
offered a brief, but impressive PRAYER the
President and all the members of his party
uncovering as Dr. Gonsauius asked a
blessing on the ceremony
The Postmaster General.
Secretary Gage introduced Postmaster
General Smith. He was also greeted with
much applause. Mr.. Smith said. in part:
In 1870, the total receipts of the postal
service were $19772,22 and It's total ex-
pendtures, $23 1898, 837 This year we shall
eXpend SlO5,0000O0, and our receipts will be
5000, 600. While our population, not
counting our new possessions, has doubled
the postal business has multiplied nearly
hNe-toid. The figures in other realms tell
The same fabulous story. Since 1870, the
distributed wealth of the country has in
creased from 81, 600 100000 to over $50, OO0.-
100000. This unexampled gain is widely
diffused"
Mr. Smith then spoke of American in
terests IN the Orient, and concluded as fol-
lows
impugn the honor of his country and the
integrity of her institutions as to pro-
claim before the world that her scepter
extended over rude and remote peoples
means wrong and oppression and spolia-
ton. What American shall so discredit
his own blood as to declare that the Amer
lean people will either falter in their duty
of their trust or fail in the capacity OF
their task? Our inspiring past Is the
prophecy OF our glorious future
Mckinley Held the TroweI.
The actual ceremonies of the laying of
the cornerstone then began. c. E. Kre-
mer secretary of the Federal Committee
arose and formally announced that the
stone was ready, and read the list of ar
ticles placed within il.
President Mckinley was introduced by
Secretary Gage, and as he stepped forward
TO receive the troWel from the hands of
Architect Henry Ives Cobb, the crowds
burst forth into cheers. the applause not
ceasing until the President raised his
hand. The President then stepped 10 the
side of the uplifted mass of Illinois lime
stone, and. taking trowel-full of mortar
from the board, he threw it on the base
of the stone. As he did so band sta
toned in the reviewing stand played the
star Spangled Banner, and as the notes
OF the national anthem We're heard the
crowd again broke into cheers, the noise
almost drowning the music President
Mckinney then pronounced the stone set
and resumed his seat while the workmen
settled the stone in its place
Senator William e. Mason was next in
trcduced, and made brief address on be-
half of the city of Chicago The cereroo-
MES concluded with the Offering Of a hen
edction by Rev DR.. Gonsaulus
President Mckinley and party then arose
and were again escorted across the hon
levard to the Union League Club where
the President was the guest of the Fed
eral Committee at luncheon.