The Washington times., 1901-12-03
EXPOSITION OPENED
BY THE PRESIDENT.
BIG CHARLESTON SHOW STARTED
Messages Received in War Room mt
White House by Mr.. Roosevelt
Senators TiIImnn and Nc
Laurin Present,

The conventional electric button ena-
bled President Roosevelt 10 open the
South Carolina Interstate and West In
dian Exposition at Charleston. S. c., yes
terday afternoon at 2:40 o'clock. At that
time in the War Room at the White House
messages of greeting were exchanged be-
tween the President and the officers of the
exposition at Charleston.
| The simple ceremony in the War Room
was witnessed by Senators McLaurin and
| TilIman. from the Palmetto State. Rep
resentative Elliott was the only nember
of the South Carolina delegation in the
lower house present. but he presented to
| the President a letter from the other
Representatives from South Carolina
which expressed regret that they were
unable to leave the Capitol, where they
were busily engaged in the drawing of
seats.
Opening Address by Depew.
At the exposition grounds in Charleston
| Chauncey Depew was concluding his open
| ing address when the following message
was received by the President over the
wire in the War Room:
The President, White House:
The President of the South Carolina
Interstate and West Indian Exposition
Company sends most cordial greetings to
the President of the United States and
begs to inform him that the building Of
the exposition at Charleston has been
completed.
The purpose of this exposition is to
illustrate the marvellous industrial and
commercial development Of the Southern
States during the last quarter Of cen
tury and to contribute to the expansion Of
American commerce in other lands and
among the islands of the southern seas
The exposition is in Itself a remarkable
triumph of American genius and repre-
sents the highest aspirations of our peo-
pie.
I'VE are sure that as the representa-
tive of the greatest nation on earth you
Will rejoice with us in the accomplish
ment of our work. With one country one
aim, one flag one destiny, we invite you
to join us in the determination that this
great Union of your fathers and ours shall
speedily attain the supremacy OF the world
in commercial endeavor and in the pro-
motion of all the arts of peace
President Touches the Button.
Then the President laid his hand on the
electric key and pressed 1t several times.
The wire at the Charleston end was SO
harnessed that the simple act set all
the machinery of the exposition in mo-
tion The President in response to the
greeting from the officers of the exposi-
tion. then transmitted the following mes
sage of congratulation to Capt F. W.
Wagner, President OF the exposition;
Capt F. W. Wagner, President South
Carolina Interstate and West Indian
Exposition, Charleston, S. c.:
"On the occasion of the opening of the
South Carolina Interstate and West In
dian Exposition, l send cordial greetings
to those who have had in charge the diff
ficult work of preparation and TO the as
sembled visitors TO the exposition. Please
accept for yourself and convey to your
associates my hearty congratulations
upon what has been achieved, and my
earnest good wishes for the complete sue
cess of your undertaking. | hope it may
prove of great and lasting benefit 10 our
Industries and TO our commerce with the
West Indies.
While the operator was busily ticking
off the wishes for success which the Pres
ident extended to the promoters of the
exposition, MIR. Roosevelt conversed with
Senators McLaurin and Tillman, and re-
marked that he was looking forward eag-
erly to the trip mc viii make to the ex
position in February. on the occasion of
Lincoln s birthday.