The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-19
A DRAMATIC SPECTACLE
A Grand Naval Pageant One of the
Features.
WoRKMEN'S GREETING TO MCKINLEY
A Large Number Of Distinguished Visitors
Witnessed the Launching Mrs. McKin-
ley's Improvement Permitted the
Presidents Presence.
(By the Asociated Press !


San Francisco, Cal, May 18-Fortun-
ately Mrs. McKinleys condition today per
mitted President Mckinley to attend
the launching of the battleship Ohio from
the yards of the Union Iron Works. To
witness the launching of this ship, named
in honor of his native State was the
real object of the Presidents long trip
across the continent, and was the event
which has attracted to the Pacific coast
the Governors of three States. the Ohio
Congressional delegation, several United
States Senators and many other notable
and distinguished people. Dramatic and
picturesque as was the sight of Ia, 900
tons of steel sliding into the full breasted
tide of San Francisco Bay, it was not so
splendid and magnificent as the great
naval pageant which accompanied, nor
as profoundly impressive as the greeting
extended to the President by the 1900
employees of the ship yards.
When the President left the sick room
of his wife this morning every arrange
ment had been made to notify him in an
instant of any change for the worse in
her condition. The physicians assured
him that there was no indications of a
90 back, but at his request telegraph%
connections were made at the wharf and
at the Shipyard, and save for the time
he was on the water, he was not a minute
away from direct connection with the
Scott residence. He was driven to the
wharf in closed carriage, escorted by
squad of mounted police. The Cabinet
and other distinguished guests were al
ready aboard the transport tug Slocum,
which was to convey the party to the
Union Iron Works, two miles up the bay
when he arrived.
The Presidents flag, an eagle and
shield, a blue field was flying from the
main mast and the Union Jack was at
the bow as he stepped smilingly upon the
gangway to the accompaniment of the
cheers of the thousands who blackened
the neighboring pier heads. Then be-
gan the sail over the shining waters of
the bay. 1t proved to be a triumphal
Quincy, the like of which has not been
witnessed in this country since Admiral
Dewey, upon his return from the Philip
pines, sailed up the Hudson.
Every craft in the harbor was decked
out in gayest attire and the city in the
background was a perfect mound of way-
ing flags Every wharf on the sea front
swarmed with people. Up near the ship
yards the grim warships of the Pacific
squadron were at anchor. Near Goat Is
land lay the transport Sheridan, travel
stained from her long journey across the
Pacific. She had just arrived from the
Philippines and still had aboard the
Forty-second and Forty-sixth United
States volunteer infantry, which she had
brought home. The President saw her
at once and requested that the course
of the Slocum should be changed to allow
him to pass near her. AS the Slocum
approached the big transport there was
scene of almost frenzied enthusiasm
aboard The soldiers, all in their service
uniforms rushed to the sides and rent
the air with cheer upon cheer at the
sight of the President of the United States
come to welcome them home The band
on the after deck struck up The Star
Spangled Banner. The soldiers lined the
rails. and rat-lines and almost drowned
the music with their shouts. They swung
their hats and acted lie madmen. Several
of them got out their regimental ana
waved them frantically to and fro from
the bridge. The ensign at the stern was
dipped again and again. The salute was
answered by the Slocum. The President
was plainly moved by the remarkable
demonstration. He stood on the lower
deck uncovered, bowling and smiling and
waving his handkerchief until the SOUND
of the shouting died away in the distance.
This welcome from the soldiers was only
the beginning As the Slocum drew near
the line of steel clad thundeFers oil the
deep. with iacl1es lining the rails, the
marine guards drawn UP aft and officers
in full uniform on the bridges, pun
of smoke burst like a white balloon from
the oprt quarter Of the battleship Wis
consin. Admiral Caseys flagship. Boom
came the report It was the first CUR
from IT, shtns the first OF tWenty-one.
Each of the warships, the big, savage
hattleship Iowa the long, lean cruisers
Philadelphia and Adams. the little togpedo
boat Farragut and the revenue cutter
McCulloch, which was with Dewey at
Manila. turned loose their secondary bat
teries as the Slocum steamed slowly ND.
Opposite the McCulloch the President wit
messed a smart exhibition of jack tars
skill.
London. May 1.-THE suspension OF