The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-10
M'KINI4EY LAYS CORNERSTONE,
The Magnificent New Federal Building
Chicago.

Chicago. ILL.,, Oct. 9.-SulTounded by
men who guide the diplomatic relanlons
of three Governments, and III the pre-
sence of thousands of spectators Presl-
dent Mckinley today formally laid the
corner stone of the magnificent new
Federal building of Chicago. I'm the an
gle formed by the south and west wings
of the Federal building at jackson
Boulevard and Dearborn streets, and III
front of the Union League Club re-
viewing stand had been erected for the
accommodation of the distinguished Wis
itors. including Vice-President Mariscal
and party of Mexico. Premier Laurlef,
of Canada. and other motables of that
country; members of President AlciAIir
ley's Cabinet and the diplomatic corps
at Washington; Senators, Congressman
and other invited guests, and when Pres
ident Mckinley threw the first trowel-
fill of mortar under the uplfted block
CT limestone and pronounced the corr
nerstone set, one of the most notable
gatherings ever in Chicago locked on.
The President received a hearty Oval
ton as he drove to the stand. Judge
Christian C. Kohlsaat chairman of the
Committee ON Ceremonies. introduced
Secretary of the Treasury Lyman j.
Gage, as presiding officer for the cor
nerstone exercises. The Secretary was
warmly cheered as The stepped forward.
At the conclusion of Secretary Cages
brief address, Rev. Frank w. Con
saulus offered brief but impressive
prayer, the President and all the mem-
hers of his party uncoyerng as DIR. Con
saulus asked a blessing on the ceremony.
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 post
al service were S19,172.2 800 and its total
expenditures So, 99S. S37 THIS year we
shall expend S105,000,000 and our re-
ceipts will he S9a00000O. While our
population. not counting our now pos
sessions has doubled, the postal business
has multiplied nearly four-fold The
figures in other realms tell the same
fabulous story. Since 1870 the distib-
uted wealth of the country has increased
frcm 100000, 5000 10 over $4,000,
G00.G00 This mexampled gain is wide
ly diffused."
Mr.. Smith then spoke of American in
terests in the Orient and concluded aG
follows:
What citizen of the republic shall 50
impugn the honor of his country and the
integrity of her institutions as to pro-
claim before the world that her sceDtre
extended over rude and remote peoples
means wrong and oppression and soolia-
tion! What American shall so discredit
his own blood as to. declare that the
American people will either falte- al
their duty to their trust or fail I'M the
capacity Of their task? Our inspiring
past is the prophecy of our glorious fu-
ture."
The actual ceremonies of the laying uf
the cornerstone then began. G. E. I<re-
mer. Secretary of the Federal committee
arose and formally. announced that the
stone was ready and l.etad the list OF
articles placed within it. President Me-
Kfnley was introducedSby Secretary
Gage and as he stepped forward to re-
ceive the trowel from the hands OF Ar
clitect 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
limestone and taking a trowelful Of NOR
tar from the board, he threw it on the
base of the stone AS he did so band
stationed in the reviewing stand played
the Star Spangled Banner, and as the
notes of the national anthem were heard,
the crowd again broke into cheers. the
noise almost drowning the music. Presi-
dent Mckinley then pronounced tie
stone set and resumed his seat while the
workmen settled the stone in its place.
Senator William f. Mason was next
introduced and made a brief address on
behalf of the city of Chicago The Gre
monies concluded with the offering Of q
benediction by Rev DIR. Gonsaulus.
President MCKINLEY and party then
arose and We're again escorted across the
boulevard to the Union League Club,
where the President was the guest OF the
Federal committee at luncheon.