The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1900-12-15
CAPITAL IN GALA ATTIRE.
Centennial Celebration of the Estab-
lishment of the Seat of Gov.
eminent at Washington.
BUSINESS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED,
The Day Devoted to the Carrying
Out of an Elaborate Programme,
which was Participated in by
Several Governors and Other
state Officials.

Washington, Dec. 12.--The national
capital was in gala attire in celebra.
ton of the one hundreth anniversary
of the establishment of the seat of
federal government at Washington,
and for the time being the wheels Of
government ceased revolving, bust.
ness, public and private, was suspend
ed, while the president and his cab.
met, the senate and house of repre-.
sentatives, the federal judiciary, the
governors of many states, and great
concourse of citizens and visitors
joined in the elaborate festivities Of
the day.
A Significant Gathering.
Perhaps never again will this gen
Grafton witness such a significant
gathering of the heads of states and
of the chief executive of the nation.
One hundred years ago the transfer
of the seat of government was made
from Philadelphia to Washington, and
the site previously selected by Pres.
ident Washington was taken posses
sion of by the various branches of
government, President and Mrs.
Adams driving over from Philadel-
phia, the senate and house holding
their sessions here for the first time.
Months OF Preparation.
For months Washington has been
preparing for fitting commemora-
ton of this interesting historical
event, and the celebration was de-
signed to bring out the development
which a century has brought forth
both in the capital and in the nation.
The Streets Filled.
From an early hour the streets were
filed with an eager and expectant
throng. Pennsylvania avenue was q
blaze of color from end to end,
the business houses being hung with
bunting, flags and patriotic devices.
The great public buildings added their
share to the brilliancy Of the specta-
Gle. From the front Of the treasury
building radiated an enormous sun.
burst Of red, white and blue. Further
on, the war, state and navy depart
ments, and the department Of justice
were respondent in the national
colors. At the other end of Pennsyl.
vania avenue the massive front Of the
capitol was hung with long streamers,
and from the dome huttered myriad
of flags, while the front Of the huge
post Office department was covered
with the national colors.
The Days Programme.
The programme Of the day began
with a reception, at ten o'clock, by
President Mckinley and members Of
his cabinet to she governors of the
states and territories at the executive
mansion. This was followed by the
unwilling, In the East room, of the
model OF the proposed enlarged execu'
tive mansion, which is to be lasting
memorial Of the days celebration.
The other events OF the day were n
parade from the White House to the
capitol, participated In by the presi-
dent and other dlgnitaries and visit
ing and district militia; joint eycrcis-
es by the senate and house In the hall
Of the house of representatives, and n
reception in the evening TO the visit.
Ing governors.
The Governors Present.
Following is a list Of the governors
presents
q. w. Atkinson, West Virginia.
d. w. Bloxham, Florida represent
I'd by Col. +. q. Brown.
c. NJ. Barnes, Oklahoma.
ID. W. Jones, Arkansas.
j. A. Mount, Indiana.
C. y. Thomas, Colorado,
E. w, Tunnel, Delaware.
l.. NJ, Shaw, Iowa.
Llewellyn Powers, Maine.
+. W. Rollins, New Hampshire.
r. NJ. Voorhees,, New Jersey.
j. II. Taylor, Virginia
NJ. A. Otcro, New Mexico.
5. Steunenberg, Idaho.
Gov, Stone, Pennsylvania,
T.. ScoAeld, Wisconsin.
d. l.. Russell, North Carolina.
Theodore Roosevelt, New York.
A. T.. Lee, South Dakota.
n. o. Murphy, Arizona.
VIM. Gregory, Rhode Island,
j. NJ. Smith, Maryland.
w. NJ. Crane, Massachusetts,.
Gov, W. W. Heard, Louisiana.
Gov. Stephens OF Missouri was rep
resented by dovernor.slect Dockery
and Lieut.. Gov. Bolte. "a.
Gov. stickney OF Vermont was rep
resented by Adjt,-Gen. W, II. Gilmore
A number OF cx governors also were
present.
The Great Parade.
The great public spectacle OF the
day was the parade and escort to the
prcsidcut, from the White House to
the east front OF the capltol, where
the president reviewed the marching
thousands, At the head OF the parade
rode Lleut,.Gen. Nelson A. Miles,
chief marshal, In full uniform, mount
ed on n superb charger, His staff In.
uluded Brig. -Gen. Breckenridge and
many other prominent oi'icers,lnount'
cd and In uniform, presenting . bril-
liant appearance. The military
forces participating included artil'
lery, cavalry, marines and sailors
FirsS came the Second United states
artillery, Llcut..Col. Myrick COM
mandlng, and three battallons OF ar
tillery from other regiments The
Fifth United states cavalry, In their
stunning uniforms and flowing yellow