The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-08

two were occupied by Mr.. Spencer. c. 2.
Walbridse. +. ]. Wade and W. S. McChes-
ney. and Mr.. Cobb, L.. d. Kingsland. Will
liam II. Druhe and Frank Gaiennie.
A squad of mounted police. under direc-
tion of Chief kiely, surrounded the ear
riages as they moved forward and joined the
procession, which, under the management
of Colonel Sinclair, grand marshal, had
formed in front of the Union Station on
Market street and extended along Eight
eenth street to the corner of Olive street.
The guests carriages and their escort OF
police were placed in the middle of the line.
At 4 word from Colonel Sinclair the pro-
cession started down Olive street, and those
| in the front ranks believed that it was the
intention of the committee to go direct to
the Merchants Exchange. For this reisoil
when Twelfth street was reached all The
organizations in front of the carriages con-
tinued to march down Olive street.
A change in plan had been decided upon
after the procession had Started, however,
and the carriages and all the marchers FOL
lowing it turned into Twelfth street aha
halted, the word passed along the line to
disband This move was not noticed by the
first section of the parade, which proceeded
upon its way with flying cOlors. 1t was not
until several blocks had been traversed
that II was known that mistake had been
made, ana with great mirth and good ma
ture the organizations and musicians dis-
banded, many of them returning to join
the main body on Twelfth street.
In response to the demand of the crowd
for a speech Governor Francis mounted the
box of the carriage and addressed the gath
erine. His talk was frequently interrupted
with cheers and remarks of approval.
II am unable TO express my feelings
said Governor Francis, ION the occasion
of so splendid a reception to my associates
and myself. 1 am always glad to return to
ST. Louis, after an absence, but never be-
fore has my homecoming been SO pleasant
as at the present time. cannot take this
reception to be a tribute to myself. but
rather an outburst of the people of St.
Louis of interest in the Worlds Fair. we
are all interested in that great enterprise.
and it is the duty of every citizen to do his
utmost to make 1t the greatest exposition
in the worlds history.
ITO St. Louisans who are always ready
to bestow thanks where due. / wish
to say that no thanks possible to offer
would be too great for Senators Vest and
Cockrell for the part they took in assisting
to pass the Worlds Fair bill through Con-
gress These two men. equipped with n
quarter of a centuiy's experience. were
equal to the great task. They put their
shoulders to the wheel. and accomplished
results without which it would have been
impossible to obtain an appropriation of
900 from the Government.
WORDS OF PRAISE FOR
THE CITY'S FRIENDS.
Il wish also to mention for your esteem
and thanks. the names of your Representa-
tives in Congress. Messrs Pearce, Joy and
Bartholdt; also congressman Rodenberg
and Jett from across the Mississippi and
Mr.. Tawney of Minnesota. 1t is my inten-
ton to invite the latter gentleman to st.
Louis. and l hope that as warm welcome
will be given him as the one extended 10
your representatives to-day. But while
speaking of the workers in Washington, it
must not be forgotten that the greatest
work was that accomplished here in rails
ing s1G,0oo, 900 for the Worlds Fair. William
II. Thompson, chairman of the Financial
Committee. 20 whose indomitab!e Will and
efforts in the face of all opposition this
success is largely due. is the man deszrv
ing of our greatest thanks and gratitude"
Following Governor Francis. Messrs Cobb
and Spencer addressed the crowd and were
received with enthusiasm. They spoke along
the same general lines of the first speaker,
dwelling especially upon the credit due the
local workers in the vast undertaking of
raising so large a sum to be devoted to the
Worlds Fair. After Mr.. Spencer's speech
the crowd dispersed and the carriages were
driven to the MONDAY Club.
AS early as II o'clock yesterday morning |
in the parade and demonstration in honor of
the returning Worlds Fair workers began
to assemble at their several headquarters. ,
The train on which the party would arrive |
was due at Union Station at 12:40 p. m.,
and every one wanted to be at the station
in time. so to obtain good place in the
lire.
q bulletin posted at The Republic office I;
announced that the train would be hour
and thirty minutes late. This news spread
quickly. and all plans for marching to
Union Station were put back accordingly.
Owing to the exceedingly short notice on
which the demonstration was gotten up it /,
was impossible to complete any working
plan for the procession. and a conse-
quence. several blunders resulted
HOW PROCESSION ,
WAS FORMED.
The largest contingent in the procession
was that of the st. Louis travelling men.
The knights of the grip turned out more
than 1,os0 strong, and presented a fine
appearance. They were among the most