The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-01
n nsns among the ofIleials and disnitaries

nent among the cficials and dignitaries of the exposition.
 third column came shortly after ward, formed of representatives of the states and territorial governments in the United States. The participants In the exercises quickly took taaeif places at the base of the Louisiana monument. where stand had been erected for the speakers and seats provided for the listeners.i
 Ceremonies Are Begun.
 The assemblage was called to order without delay by President D. R. Fran cis of the exposition. who requested the audience to rise while the Rev. Frank M Gunsaulus of Chicago, deiiv- cred the invocation.
 Dr. Gunsauius concluded his elouuent invocation with the Lords prayer. in which the audience Joined. President Francis, as the chief executive of the exposition, then delivered his address.
 At the conclusion of Senator carter's address President Francis recognized William T. Thompson. Of the commit tee on the grounds and buildings who presented to President Fracis Isaac & Taylor. the director of works.
 Keys Are Delivered.
 Mir. Taylor delivered to President Francis the keys of the exposition and presented diplomas of merit to the chiefs of his stan.
 After the march "Lousiana.' had been played y Sousa's band. President Fran cis transferred the exposition building to Frederick ]. V. Skin the director of ex- Kssts. the performance being emblematic pf tiie fact that the buildings had been apo t,< s41xo yxf @B Bo& portion of the work and were now ready and waiting sfor the installation of the exhibits, through MT. skiff's department. Mir. SklH made an address. e
 The grand chorus Hymn or the west,' was then sung by a choir led by Alfred Ernest. The music of the hymn was by John Knowles Payne, and It's words were written by Edmund Clarence stednlan.
 President < Francis then introduced Mayor Roila Wells, of St. LcHiss who spoke briefly, extending to the people of the United States and to the residents of countries abroad d cordial welcome to the city of St Louis, when they should visit the exposition.
 Hon. T. F. Carter sposks.
 Hon. Thomas 1T. Carter presiaent of the national commission. then spoke on behalf of the body of which he Is at the heads
 At the conclusion of Senator Carter's address President Francis happily in- troduced another member of the United States Senate. who spoke on behalf of the senior House of Congress. This was Senator Henry E. Burnham, of New Hampshire.
 Following the speaker for the higher branch of Congress cams James A. Tawney of Minnesota. who spoke for the national House of Representatives.
 For the domestic exhibiters Edward H. Hartman. president oi the New York State Commission. delivered an address.
 The speaker for the foreign exhibi- tors was Commissioner General Albine R. Nuncio of Mexico,~ who was first country to erect a pavilion on the ex- position grounds.
 Senor Nuncfo gracefully expressed the thanks of the foreign exhibitors for the treatment which had been &C., corded them and praphesied eloquent iy for the brilliant success of the ex- position.
 The chorus of "America" vas then sung and the Hin. William T. Taft, Secretary cs War. acting as the rep- resentative of the President of the united states. oeilVereO the tast au- dress of the day.
 Taylor Gives the Signal.
 Immediately on the conclusion of the address of Secretary of War W. H. Taft, who represented the President, Director of Works Isaac s. Taylor, who stood at the base of the Louisiana mon- ument, waved a white ribbon to the men at, the industrial buildings as a signal the mechanism used to unfurl the banners was put in operation. and instantly thousands of flags fiuttered from the poles on the many buildings of the exposition. To the thousands of visitors who could not be at the scene where the exercises were conducted, 1t was the first sign that the fair was formally opened to the public. Their eyes had been turned to the Mississip- pi flag poles on the structures for many minutes. As the hundreds of emblems floated in the breeze. the sight seers. with shouts of admiration. star ted for the various places, while bands throughout the grounds played. 1ale throng of visitors promenaded the va rious boulevards, saw the immense cas- cade. entered the buildings and took in the Pike"