Evening star., 1900-12-04
UNABLE TO ATTEND
Former Presidents Will Not Be Pres
ent at Centennial Celebration.
BOTH Send LETTERS OF REGRET
Senator Hoar to Take Place of Ex-
Gov. WoIcott in Program.
RATES ON RA1LRO I'D S

N "A Il - ~ IN III ~ L IL II ~ IA IL -
The only two living ex-Presidents Of the
United States, Grover Cleveland and Ben
jan1in Harrison, who received invitations
to attend the celebration, have informed
the committee that they will be unable to
accept the invitation
Mr.. Cleveland writes:
Il desire to thank you for the courtesy of
an invitation to attend the celebration COM
memorating the establishment of the seat
of our government in the District of CO.
lumbia.
II am sorry to say, however, that my
plans and occupations will not permit me
to be present on this interesting occasion"
Under date of November o. Mr.. Harrison
writes from Indianapolis as follows
Il have received your letter Of Novem-
Der II. inviting me to attend the national
celebration commemorating the centennial
anniversary of the establishment of the
seat of government in the District Of Co
lumbia. l expect to go to Washington next
week to meet with the Presbyterian COM
mittee on the revision Of the creed, and will
probably be there about week. I have
already, at the request Of some friends who
desired to entertain US, extended our visit
as long as 1t is possible for me to do 80.
and therefore, as things are now, do not
think that l can expect to take part in
your interesting celebration"
Information has been received at head
quarters from Gov. G. w. Atkinson of West
Virginia stating to the effect that he will
attend the celebration and will be accom-
panied by staff of ten persons. Gov.
Thomas of Colorado states he will reach
the city next Tuesday.
No Present Use for Poems.
A p,1mher of mems have been received
at headquarters the theme of which is
the centennial anniversary. No attempt
has been made by Mr. Cox, the secretary
of the committee, to judge of the merits OF
these productions for the reason that no
provision has been made for the use of
poetry in the centennial exercises. The
pages of the official program were filed
and no space was left for sonnets. but 1t Is
expected that after the celebration some
account will be prepared and probably pub
lished of the work of the committee ami
the celebration. In these pages, 1t Is
thought by Mr.. Cox, space can probably be
found for one or more of these poetlcal
effusions, some of which come to the COM
mttee with the highest commendation as
to the accuracy of the meter and the ap-
propriateneSs of the thought. Communlca-
tons of this nature will, therefore, be laid
away for the use of the committee which
will prepare the history Of the celebration.
About sixty members of the legislature of
Rhode Island propose to attend the cele-
bratiOn. Information has been received
that these solons will accompany the gov
ernor.
Senator HOar Consents to Speak.
Chairman Macfarland of the citizens
committee called on Senator Hear of Mas
sachusetts this morning and asked him to
deliver an address at the centennial cele-
bration in place of ex-Gov Wolcott of Mas
sachusetts, who is ill of typhoid fever and
will therefore be unable to speak on that
occasion as he had expected to do. AL
though much occupied with literary work,
and still suffering from the fatigue Incl
dent to the late campaign. Senator Hoar
assured Mr.. Macfarland that rather than
have Massachusetts unrepresented on that
occasion. he will consent to make an ad-
dress. This decision OF the senator is spe-
cially gratifying to the members of the
citizens committee, both on account of the
ability of Mr.. Hoar to speak on such a
topic and also because of the interest he
has displayed in forwarding the movement
for celebration.
Railway Rates.
1t is announced that rates over the rail-
roads have been secured as follows:
The Trunk Line Association One fare for
round trip, including New York, Buffalo,
Pttsburg and Huntington. W. Va The
Central Passenger Association will probably
concur on this rate in a day or two, which
VIII CONeT vi CdSO, 81. LOUIS ana CINCINNATI.
The Southeastern Association will likely
also concur.
Mr. NJ. NJ. Parker, chairman of the finance
committee. reports the following subscrip
tions: T. +. ROsslee, 500; S. S. Burdette,
$40; Chaplin Brown, ?12; p. NJ. Hughes, So;
Mr.. J. w. Douglas, 81, n. E. Robinson So;
John D. Carmody, 50: H. X. Fulton, s.;
H. p Cheatham, 81: j. Fred Kelley. s5;
Clarence b. Rheem, 50; Edwin NJ. Truell, 81.
The Police Arrangements.
Of he
been instructed to make a special effort to
have all dirt and rubbish removed from the
streets. Distractions of all kinds which
are in places prohibited by law will also be
removed The attention of the officers has
been called to small quantities of brick,
stone earth left about tree boxes or
along the line of the curbing, and these
will have to be taken out of the way. 1t
is the intention of Maj. Sylvester to get the
city in clean condition as possible by
the time of the centennial celebration next
week.
Maj. Sylvester is also at work perfecting
the police arrangements for the celebra-
ton. Today he was endeavoring to have
tested the cables which to be used in
roping off Pennsylvania avenue, in order
that there may be no unnecessary trouble
next week. The avenue will be roped along
the line of the curb from the Peace monu-
ment to 18th street, and the cable will be of
great assistance in keeping pedestrians off
the carriage way. Mounted policemen who
will participate in the parade are being Sc
lected, and there will be detail of foot
men from the several precincts for duty
along the line of march
Detectives from several of the large cities
who will do duty will reach here about
Tuesday.
Congregational Action.
The bill introduced in the House late yes
terday afternoon by Mr.. Cannon, to carry
out the program for the centennial cele-
brat.on, is as follows:
That the two houses of Congress shall
assemble in the hall of the House of Rep
resentatves on the 18th day of December.
1900. at the hour Of half-past 3 o'clock pm,
and that addresses on subjects bearing on
the celebration shall be made by senators
and representatives to be chosen by the