New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-10
NO LACK OF COURTESY AT ST. LOUIS.
Member of the New-Jersey Commission Says
Complaints Were Unfounded.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The writer must take exception to the state
ments made by your Washington correspondent In
the issue Of May regarding the treatment of the
diplomats at st. Louis. He is certainly misin-
formed. The writer was present at every occasion
on which the diplomats were officially received,
and TO the best of his knowledge the courtesy ex-
tended them by those in charge at ST Louis
thoughtful, and believe. thoroughly sat
isfactory. I heard OF no con1plain ts whatsoever,
although mingled freely with them. AS mem
Der of the New-Jersey commission I had ample
opportunity for observation. and was in the Presi
dents box at the time of the review; indeed 1
in the picture which appeared in your paper Of
the passage OF Governor Odell on this occasion.
So far from the luncheon that occasion being
inadequate, 1t ample. heard charge made
that 1.-THE diplomats raided the tent. On the
trary heard that this charged to the newspa-
per correspondents: with how much truth do not
know. But at all events there nothing OF the
appearance OF raid; neither was there feeling
of walters, and ! speak decidedly as had four
women in my charge, and We received every atten-
ton possible. There was ample luncheon, and as
had occasion to go to this tent toward the close
of the review. L must deny the statement made
that the President and the guests surrounding
him found the supply of eatabIes about exhausted.
I was personally at the luncheon given IN the
morning to the diplomats. and there were
twenty-three Governors and their suites, in addi-
ton to the foreign representatives, VINO were
numerous, It utterly impossible to seat all
alongside of member of President Clevelands
Cabinet; back of General Frederick Grant.
and table in front was the Chinese Minister
In regard to Mr. Cannon being ignored, stated
by your correspondent, the writer with him
on several occasions. him ct the luncheon. and
did not hear him make single complaint criti-
cism.
In regard to the evening reception I may say
that 1 have had the privilege Of attending many
receptions abroad presided over by no less digni
taries than the Prince OF Wales. the King of
England: Kaiser William, King Leopold. Prince
Christian of Denmark and others; and the eti-
quette at St Louis. which your correspondent
critcises, fully equal to any that saw on
those occasions. The visitors were properly met
by Mr.. Albertini and properly introduced to the
receiving party Although the room at the st.
Louis Club rather small. a lane was kept open
that the guests might be presented and pass
around after presentation. Quite a number of US,
finding the room being rather overful, went into
other rooms, where equal courtesy was shown u.s.
There were many invitations that went astray.
owing the difficulty, in all probability. of OBJ
proper addresses but Governor Francis endeav-
ored to make all amends for this by giving per-
sonal invitations TO any who had failed to receive
the regular ones, and stationing himself at the
possibly be there. for the purpose of Identifying
to reach them. Governor Francis made personal
statement to me, and told NE to notify all the
NeW-Jersey commissioners and The delegdt ton from
the State legislature that they were not oniy ex-
pected to be present, OUT ne was
sirous that they should come. and regretted they
had not received formal invitation. Some of the
staffs of the various Governors also failed TO re-
ceive them, but Governor Francis gave the same
notice the Governors, and requested that tneir
STATS should attend and II is believed by the
writer that most of them. If not all did so.
There been great many erroneous state
ments made regarding this great exposition one
in particular which came to my notice, TO the
effect that Troop A were very much dissatlsled
with their quarters, which promptly denied
by members of that troop and appeared in print
near the Jersey Building. and the men seemed
thoroughly contented. It IS believed that every,
thing possible done for their comfort ana
pleasure.
of an hour, and heard no complaint from him
The delays at the station absolutely un-
ayoIdeble from the number of persons VINO en-
tered ST Louis from various directions at short
In regard TO the officials of the fair. they were
nerfectly uutiring, and the Board of Lady
Managers who received the women of the various
parties and extended to them the moss gracefuI
and considerate hospitality.
The criticism in your article to the means OF
gettne TO the fair only just criticism which
il contains. but the exposition authorizes Were
endeavoring remedy this and to prevent any
exforton being practised the visitors The
livery stables seem to be In a sort OF trust ano
under control of person. Several OF the states
have lodi complaints account OF the prices
for vehicles. and the matter is In adjustment ana
trust you will give this such prominence as
Won have the article in question, and thus 90
Justice to our kind thoughtful and consIderate
hosts. WILLIAM ~. NItnfst,
Member New-Jersey Commission
New-York. May S, 1903