The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-18

] Aiieu tue LaIdHetle square Opera House
this morning. The inciement weather
probably deferred many persons from at
| tending who otherwise would have been
present a raw wind blew out Of the
northeast and brought with il rain that
ever and anon fell from the Ieaden sky
and splashed upon the muddy, slippery.
paTements. Despite the gloom OF the
weather there were scenes Of activity
around the Opera House at an early hour.
At $50 a platoon OF police. detailed
from the First and Fourth precincts. and
commended by Lieutenant Amiss. march
ing in fours, swung rhythmicaIIy across the
blackened concrete. and took station az
the entrance TO the theatre. Next came a
section Of the scarlet coated Marine Band.
and swinging their instruments. they fled
down the red-carpeted aisle to the orches-
ira. turned on the little incandescent
lamps above their music racks and began
10 tune.
While the theatre was yet quite dark
Senator Chandler, Of New Hampshire,
chairman Of the joint committee OF the
Senate and House Of Representatives on
the reception Of the statue arrived. Soon
after came Chief Justice Fuller After
greetings between him and senator
Chandler. he took seat on the right Of
the stage and remained there alone for
some time. There was a brief lull In The
arrivals. and then the mezzanine boxes
and the galleries began to I'LL
The Governor of MassachusettS-
One OF the early-comers was Governor
Crane. OF Nassathusetts. accompanied by
the adiutant general Of the National Guard
OF Massachusetts, and an aide. Senator
Chandler warmly greeted the visiting
parJy. ard introduced Senator Ho4r. who
az that time had just come upcn he
stage. While shaking hands all arr1ud.
Mr.. Chandler said ~GentIenen-Sreat
men-3lassachUsetts is very much in evi-
dence today" While members Of he
Diplomatic Corps were finding seats in The
mezzaHine boxes. members OF the House q
Representatives. Justices OF the Supreme
Court OF the United States. United states
Senator's. and officials cf the Disri-t -
Columbia were coming lson the stage. on
which had been placed chairs for The ae-
commodation Of about 80 persons. Amorg
those who came early was Major General
Nelson \. Miles Ai3swor.h 2. Spoford.
Assistant Librarian Of Congress. took 2
seat well back from the front Of the staee.
Commissioners Wight. Ross. and Beach
entered. and took seats far back. on the
Iert Of The stage.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. The crater
Of the day. soon came from the dismal
weather without into the theatre. which
was beginning to blaze with mellow light
Scores Of iucandescent lamps were break
ing oUt against the blue paneled walls and
ceiling Of the theatre.
Slowly. the theatre was fIIing with leo
pie, and many ladies. caring nothing for
The discomfcvts OF the day. were coming.
At few minutes 10 10 O'Clock the Marine
Band. under the leadership OF Walter
Smith, broke forth with Sousa's lively
march. Hands Across the Sea During
this music Attorney General Griggs came.
and close behind him was Senator TiTmaa
Of South Carolina. Senator Allison OF Iowa
and Senator McCOmas Of Maryland The
Rev. DR.. Mlburn. the blind chaplain OF
the Senate. was assisted to a seat az the
front Of the stage by Chief Page Riddle
being struck and people were rapidly
entering the playhouse from the grey. wet
world without. The band was playing
Iseman's Folk Songs Of the South. and
hundreds OF people were keeping time with
their finger tips 10 the rhythm OF The music
and chatting with their neighbors.
Arrival Of the President.
During all this subdued excitement. a
whisper spread through the house: The
President is coming" The band abruptly
ceased playing and scores OF footsteps
could be heard beating on the bare boards
at the right Of the stage. Then. as Presi-
dent Mckinley followed by various mem
bers of his Cabinet. emerged from behind
the flies. the band burst forth with Hail
to the Chief" and the spectators stood
and applauded. The President. guided by
the Senate's chief page. was met by SEN
atOr Chandler. and was escorted 10 big.
green leather arm chair. in front OF the
foremost line Of seats. near the centre Of
the stage. and to the right OF the speak
ers' table. Secretary Long who had been
designated by President Mckinley TO ac-
oept the statue in behalf Of the United
States. took a seat on the extreme right Of
the stage. his side 10 the audience. Di-
rectly behind the President sat Secretary
Root and Postmaster General Smith. on
the right Of the Postmaster General sat
Secretary Hitchcock and to his right sat
Secretary Wilson. On the right Of the
Secretary of War sat Secretary Gage To
the left Of the stage centre sat Chief Jus
tice Fuller, and to his left sat Mr.. Justice
Harlan.
On the left Of Secretary Gage was Score
tary Hay
In the second lire upon the stage. and
behind the Cabinet and Justices Of the
Supreme Court. was the joint committee
of Congress cn the acceptance Of the
statue, Representative Lowering Of Massa-
ehusetts, chairman Of the committee ap-
pointed by the Speaker Of the House Of
SI.25 to baltimore and Return via
II. ~ o. Saturday and sunday.
January 20 snd o. good i'r reta.r untl f4Iieu-
ing Monday. Tickets good on go trains ,Nurus
Royal Limited.
FIynn's business College. Stb and *.
S5-Census Oaice Ex8minl t.ou-S5.