Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-08-28
THE EASTERN TRIP.
Continued from page -

they could get peep at the PRESIDENT.
1t was royalty happy crowd, sub
mitting to all the inconveniences with
the best of good nature.
A stand had been erected at the
south end of the station platform for
the President, the reception committee
and the band. This afforded a most
excellent chance for outdoor speak
ing. The big square, covering several
acres, was directly in front, affording
comfortable room for an immense
crowd. 1t was possible to completely
surround the stand and this was done.
The linemen of the city took possession
of every pole favorably located and
filled the crosstrees, while every tree
within hearing distance was filled with
boys. The awning on the south side
of the station had a dangerously heavy
load of humanity, and all the roofs
were covered Every spot THAT could
offer a chance to see and hear was
packed.
There was a thick sprinkling of
teams all over the square-carriages'
hacks, truck teams and delivery
wagons of all descriptions. Every one
Of these were loaded to the axles, as
by standing up on them the people
could see in fine style. And it looked
as If every square foot of space had
= a camera. The conditions were fairly
favorable for snap shots. and hundreds
of plates were exposed. There were
cameras on top Of hacks, on roofs up
4 on poles, in trees and anywhere one
could stick The regular photographers
who were with the Presidents party
were on top of his car, in the doorway
and anywhere they could get an unob-
structed view.
The stand was admirably adapted
for its purpose. One just large enough
for the President was built at good
81 height from the platform. rms was
o. beautifully draped with American f1ags
and bunting, carpeted with heavy rugs
and loaded with palms and cut MOWERS
The height was sufficient to place the
President above the heads of all VINO
stood on the platform or on the ground.
A lower platform with settees extend
ed hack TO the west of this and was
occupied by members of the city gov
ernment city officials and representa-
tives of the manufactures of the city.
In the rear of this again was the stand
for the band on the same level. AS
the President faced the crowd in the
SQUARE this lower stand was on his
right while his car was on the left.
A passage way from the rear of the
train to the stand was kept clear by
substantial ratings securely spiked to
the platform. The crowd could not
break these down nor go over or under
them.
The special arrived on time. follow
ing the regular passenger for the east
The moment the big engine, No. l9S
poked its nose around the curve below
the station, the band under the leader
ship of Professor Hall started Hail 10
the Chief and played as never before
The huge crowd was in an uprOar I'M
mediately. Hats and handkerchiefs
were waved and a mighty cheer went
up. fairly drowning the sound of the
band The rear of the Presidents own
car was stopped just opposite the stand
and when he appeared on the platform
there was another roar from the crowd.
Hon William r. Haines went board
as soon as the train stopped to wei
cor1e the President in the good old
Pine Tree style to the city. 1t was "a
regular Old Home Week greeting and
the crowd was as happy as school boys
out on an unexpected holiday.
A pretty little incident happened just
after the President alighted from his
train. Deputy Marshal Woodbury. was
assigned to the duty of keeping the
passage way to the stand clear and
when the President advanced to ascend
the steps the big officer gave him a
regular old State of Maine welcome.
The President turned aside just a mo-
ment before going up the steps and
grasped the big right hand of the Off
GER giving it a hearty shake. 1t was
all done so quickly that few noticed it,
but those who did burst into an invol
untary cheer The officer and Mr..
Haine5 were the only citizens of the
city who shook hands with the Pres-
dent on the platform.
The President was escorted to the
stand by Mr.. Haines, who introduced
him in just a sentence. There was no
real need for an introduction, for the
people had located their favorite the
moment he stepped from the car, and
when he ascended the platform where
he could be plainly seen he received a
royal welcome. None could have been
heartier. more sincere or enthusiastic.
1t was minute perhaps before they
cOuld ne quoted, but all realized the
necessity OF outstanding the time and
after the President began to speak
there was no trouble from the noise.
The speech lasted considerably less
than 10 minutes. but there were many
things in it that stuck and went home
with the people. 1t was straightforward
and cut like a new Damascus sword.
holding the closest attention of the
people packed like sardines in a box
under the scorching sun. There was a
seasoning of humor that delighted the
listeners and a hard common sense that
made them think. 1t was just a little
rear-platform speech by the wayside.
but those who breakfasted by lamplight
and travelled miles to hear it were per
fectly satisfied. The President said:
My Fellow Citizens-I wish to thank
you, to thank all the people of Maine
for the way in which l have been
greeted / feel in a certain sense a
right to the greeting, for at least l am
trying to put into practice the prin-
ciples in which you believe. l feel that
the art of successful government in our
country is the art of applying practi-
cally the everyday principles of de-
cency. morality and common sense.
which must be applied by the average