Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1902-10-09
|H[ GUESTS Of ST. LOUIS.
Visiting Governors and Commission.
ers Banquetted By the st.
Louis Business League.
ELIMINATION OF THE SITE ALLOTMENT.
The Louisiana Purchase Centennial
Exposition and Cognate suo9ects
Formed the Themes of the Post
PrandiaI Speeches of the ooca-
sion.

Prandial Speeches of the occs-
sion.
ST. Louis, Oct. 4.-The banquet or
the Business Mems league to the vis-
iting governors and the state COM
missioners here on the occasion OF
the allotment of Worlds fair sites
was given Thursday night at the Mer-
camille club. Nearly 400 distinguished
guests from all parts of the country
sat down. The members of the league
were nearly all present to do honor
to their guests, among who were a
number of the prominent officials of
the exposition company.
The dining room was beautifully
decorated for the occasion with cut
flowers, the tables being strewn with
American beauty roses and smilax.
An orchestra, concealed behind
large screen of smilax in one end of
the large hall, discoursed music be-
tween the courses.
When the coffee and cigars had
been reached ex-Mayor C. p. Wall
bridge, who introduced the speakers
of the evening. raped for order, and
in witty remarks introduced the first
speaker, Mayor Rolla Wells, who
briefly welcomed the governors and
commissioners. Mayor Wells was
succeeded by Mr.. David r. Francis,
~ .,ooI~o ~ ssrrka NVorIJ,S Eair- in
Its Relation to the States and Terri
tories" Mr.. Francis referred to the
important part taken by the Business
Mems league in shaping sentiment for
the holding of an exposition to COM
memorate the Louisiana Purchase, as
well as in securing from the city,
state and national goyernemnts an
appropriation in aid of the fair. He
acknowledged the great interest taxi
en- in the fair by the visiting guests,
as shown by their presence at the
ceremonies, and said that in bidding
farewell to them on this occasion he
hoped it would be eau revoir, but not
good-by."
Hon. Thomas II. Carter, president
of the national Louisiana Purchase
exposition commission, was next in
trodueed by Mr.. Walbridge, who
briefly referred to the immense aid
extended by the national goyernment !
to the exposition project. President
Carter voiced his surprise and pleas
ure at seeing so many prominent bus
mess men present, in view of the re-
ported activity at the four courts. and
stated that the city which proposed
to expend the sum of $10,000,000 for
the cleaning of the streets had con-
cluded to go farther and clear out
some of the occupants of the streets.
The speaker paid tribute to the ef-
forts being made for municipal re-
form, and expressed the belief that
by the time the gates of the fair were
thrown open the city would be able
to show, not only the cleanest streets
in the world, but the cleanest city
government as well.
Col. w. c. p Breclinridge, of Ken
lucky, responded to the toast "Com-
mercial Aspect of the Louisiana Pur-
chase Col. Breckenridge told of
the upbuilding of the states in the
original Louisiana Purchase and how
they had prospered and sent people
all over the world, though they near
ly always came back to their native
land-the best to be found anywhere.
Louis j. Wortham, general mana
ger of the Teaxs commission to the
Worlds fair, responded to the toast
"The Southwest at the Worlds Fair"
Mr. Wortham said that Texas would
send the biggest crowd of any state
to the Worlds fair.
L. B. Goodall, chairman of the
Maine commission, followed, William
B. Price of Nebraska, who was to
have responded to the ''West at the
Fair" being absent. Mr.. Goodall
said that the Maine delegation had
absorbed enthusiasm while here and
upon their return they hoped to
transfer it to their people
Mr.. William S. Frazee, of the Louis
lana delegation, responded to a re-
quest for toast upon the south, and
his toast was greeted with frequent
applause. Mr.. Frazee told of the
south and what part the southern
states would take in the exposition.