New-York tribune., 1902-01-01
THRONGS WELCOME 1902
THE NEW YEAR BORN MID
DIN OF HORNS AND BELLS.
WATCH NIGHT SERVICES HELD IN
MANY CHURCHES THE PEOPLE
HAPPY THAT BETTER GOV
EMINENT is HERE.

The celebration Of New Years Eve not.
of course so important an affair as 1T a
year ago. 1t a century which came In
twelve months ago; last night 1t only a
poor. little year. a tri1ing matter. And then.
again, the change in the number of the year
seemed small, in comparison with recent ex-
perience Only two years ago three figures
changed all at once: last night only one
changed Yet other things than the year
itself interest New-Yorkers. They cannot
long keep their minds off the city govern
ment and there considerably more than
three figures are changed to-day The Mayor.
the Police Commissioner and the first dep
uty ere three conspicuous figures which un-
dergo change. and they only the beginning
of the list Perhaps there were few who
thought these or kindred thoughts when they
blew their glad horns last night. There may
have been few others, who. filled with the
same thoughts, but with their rough and tough
and bitter side out, stayed at home, blew no
trumpets listened for chimes and wondered
whether they would have been any better off If
they had not gone quite far
But this is aside from the topic. which is
New Years Eve. 1t was good deal like other
New Years Ewes. The people were out TO
welcome the bashful young year and to scare
him out OF a years growth If they could, with
their noise. When the New Year gets time to
think it quietly he will find that his well
come not unkindly, and that good many
persons who have had bad luck and hope for
better were glad to see him. He will recognize
that there a dignifed welcome ringing from
many spires. although he had difficulty in hear
ing it, because of the more tumultuous welcome
OF many musicians more inclined to emphasis
than to modulation.
The centre of New-York on New Years Eve
ie Tri iDTt
Guilty in walking the streets down there, be-
cause many people were trying to do it at
once. 1t generally believed between II 30
and u o'clock that the chimes ringing
and few persons even asserted that they heard
them, but nobody was heard 70 mention what
tune they were playing. The mere metallic en-
thusiasm of the horns quite overcame the effect
OF the bells for those near by. At a greater
distance they could be heard little. Why
thousands OF people Will gather every New
Years Eve around Trinity Church to hear the
they cannot hear them is one OF the mysteries
which the twentieth century has TO solve
There were rngings OF bells in numerous other
steeples, such as those OF St Patrick's Cathe
dral, Grace Church. the Church Of the Heavenly
Rest and St. Thomas's.
THE GREAT VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
All over town the great voice of the people
came out through tin horns and swelled into
single great note The noise was deafening
when 1t was heard too near. and the crowd was
also OF the jostllng sort. and fussy persons were
doubtless impressed again with their old belief
that New Years Eve time to be lived
through and lived down rather than time for
enjoyment or congratulation.
There were queter celebrations In churches
In clubs, in families, and many saw the new
year in where they could mediate upon and
appreciate the soemnity OF the occasion. No
where probably was there more solemnity than
at the Broadway Tabernacle where the last
watch night service ever TO be held in the
church took place. Before another New Years
the church will have disappeared. The Rev
DR.. Charles f. Jefferson assisted by seven visit
ing clergymer, conducted the ceremonies which
consisted of music. Scripture reading and
prayer
When the actual moment of midnight came
there was the usual climax of the din. Every
body footed where only most had footed before
The boats in the rivers took up the strain and
the great volume OF noise arose from Manhat-
tan Island which arises for only five minutes in
each year. In five minutes more the great mass
or the crowd was on its way home The means
OF transportation were overtaxed and none too
comfortable, as usual, but in another half hour
travelling was getting easier. and the city was
fairly on for another year OF whatever is 10
come.