Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1899-10-09
CHlCAGo's BIG CELEBRATION.
REPRESENTATIVES OF, THREE
Governments ATTEND THE
,E CEREMONIES.
President Mckinley Lays the Corner
Stone, While the Band Plays, 4
"star SpangIed Banner" :

chicago, oct. 9.-SurrOunded Dy tne
men who guide the diplomatic rela-
lions of three governments. in the
presence of thousands of spectators,
President Mckinley today formally
laid the corner stone of the magnifi-
cent new Federal building of Chicago.
Thes event was the crowning feature
of the weeks celebration marking
the annual observance of Chicago day.
Long before the hour set for the cere-
monies the streets surrounding the
block on which the steel skeleton Of
the new building stands, were packed
with people anxious to get glimpse
of the nations president and the dis
tinguished visitors. In the reviewing
stands were Vice President Mariscal
and party of Mexico, Premier Laurier
and other notables of Canada, mem
bers of President McKinley's cabinet
and. diplomatic corps, senators, CON
gressmen; and other invited guests. A
perfect hurricane of cheers greeted
the president as he was escorted to
the dais at the side of which the corn
er stone was suspended ready for the
ceremony. The president greeted of.
.ficials, then bowed to the group Of
brawny workmen who were to com.
plete the laying of the corner stone.
Judge Christian G. Kohlsaat, chair
man of the committee of ceremonies,
introduced Secretary of Treasury
Gage as presiding officer. At the con-
cllsion, of Cages brief address Rev.
Frank w. Gunsaulus asked blessing
on the ceremonies. Secretary Gage
introduced Postmaster General Smith,
who was greeted with much applause.
He quoted statistics showing the mar.
velous growth of the country in the
last thirty years and asked, "are we
henceforth to mark time instead of
marching forward. Is the opening of
a door of wider fields and enlarged ac-
tivity within the broken walls of the
orient to be unrecognized and ,unus-
ed. What citizen of the republic shall
so impugn the honor of his country
and the integrity of her institutions
as to proclaim before the world that
her scepter extended over rude and
remote people means wrong. oppres.
sion and spoilation. Our inspiring
past is prophesy of our glorious fl-
ture"
President Mckinley was introduced
by Secretary Gage and as the Presi-
dent stepped forward to receive the
trowel from the hands of Architect
Henry Ives Cobb, the crowds burst
forth into cheers of applause not ceas-
ing = until the president raised his
hand The President then stepped to
the side of the uplifted mass of nli-
nois limestone and taking trowel
full of mortar from the board. threw
1t on the base of the stone. Band
stationed in the reviewing stand
played Star Spangled Banner" Pres
ident Mckinley pronounced the stone
set Senator William e. Mason
made a;brief address on behalf of the
city. The ceremonies were concluded
with benediction by Archbishop
Gunsaulus. The military, naval and
civic parade. this afternoon was re-
viewed by President Mckinley, Don
Ignacio Mariscal, minister of foreign
affairs of Mexico, Premier Laurier of
Canada, and Sother distinguished
guests. The day was fine and the line
of march was jammed with specta-
tors