The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-01
He Presses the Golden Key.
(IBy the Associated Press.)

Washington, April 30.-President
Roosevelt today pressed the gold key
which completed the electrical circuit
! and released the gigantic power of
the Louisiana Purchase exposition at
st. Louis putting in motion the forty
thousand horsepower machinery and
the fairy-like cascades on the exposi-
ton grounds. The ceremony occurred
nthe East room of the White House
precisely at LA L. o'clock, eastern
standard time. AS the President
pressed the key, the Third battery of
United States artillery stationed south
of the White House, fired a salute of
twenty-one guns Congratulatory mes
sages then were exchanged between
the President and David r. Francis,
president of the Louisiana Purchase
Exposition company. The historic
ceremony was witnessed by d notable
assemblage including members of the
Cabinet justices of the Supreme court,
and members of the Diplomatic corps.
Three Geographic circuits between
the East room and the administration
building of the exposition were pro-
vided by the Postal Telegraph COM
pany.
The table which supported the teIe-
graph instruments was located in the
East room. on it rested d small dais
covered with blue and gold plush, to
the Top Oh WHICH WAS dlIdCheu the
gold KEEP with which the President
closed the circuit. The same dais and
the same key have been used on sew
eral similar historic occasions
Roosevelt Speaks Briefly.
A fanfare of trumpets announced
the approach of President Roosevelt.
AS he entered the East room with Mrs.
Roosevelt on his arm, the Marine band
played Hail to the Chief" AS the
strains of music died away, the Presi
dent delivered a brief address. saying:
Il wish to greet all present, and es-
pecially the representatives of the for
eign nations here represented in the
name of the American people, and 10
thank these representatives for the
parts their several countries have ia
ken in being represented in this cen
tennial anniversary of the great2stl
step in the movement which trans
formed the American republic from
small confederacy of States lying
along the Atlantic seaboard to CON
tinental nation.
81 appreciate your having come he1e
on this occasion, and in the presence
Of you, representing the American
government and the governments Of
the foreign nations, hereby open the
Louisiana Exposition"
AS the last words fell from his lips,
the President stepped to the table ana
closed the key. A second laser tEe
first gun of the national salute boom
ed out over the monument grcunCs.
spontaneously, the spectators broke
into hearty applause. Secretary Straw,
Representative Bartholdt, of st. Lou,
Ambassador Cassni and others CT
fered congratulations.
BY direction of the President the
following telegram was sent to PreSi-
dent Francis:
II congratulate you and your as
Sociates on this memorable occasion.
! wish we'll to all who have joined
in working for the success OF y is
great enterprise; and on behalf of The
American people l greet the repre- en-
tatives of foreign countries who have
come here to cooperate with us IN
celebrating in appropriate fashion The
one hundredth anniversary of the
event which turned us into a continent
tai nation.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
congratulatory response was re-
ceived from Mr.. Francis:
Number of Addresses.
Addresses were then made by
Mayor Rolla Wells for ST Louis, ex-
Senator Thomas II. Carter, for the ma
tional Commission; Senator II. r.
Burnham for the Senate, and Repre-
sentative James a. Tawney for the
House, and e. II. Hartman for the
Continued on Page Thirteen.)