Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 May 1891 — AT THE GOLDEN GATE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AT THE GOLDEN GATE.

PRESIDENT HARRISON AND PARTY IN CALIFORNIA. Mn. Harrison Presses an Electric Button tthich Launches the Monterey—Correct i Description or the Train—Human Inge- | nuity Must Strain Itself to Devise Any* thing Wore Elaborate or C.imfertable The morning of President Harrisdh’s marine excursion from San Francisco opened with a fog enveloping the shores of the bay, but as the forenoon wore on the fog lifted and left the harbor sparkling in sunlight. Notwithstanding the announcement that the Invitations to accompany the President were limited to five hundred in number, the committee having charge of the excu! sion were besieged with applications from fully 5,000 persons who, being unable to secure coveted billets, crowded the steamers Ukiau and Garden City and numerous smaller craft which dotted the bay, so that at the hour of the President’s embarkation over 10,000 persons had left the shore to accompany him on the trip. At 10:30 o'clock the Pueblo steamed out into the bay from Broadway wharf and was soon followed by the warship Charleston, the Government steamers Bush and Marono carrying the Federal officials, and the revenue cutters Rush and Corwin with the Custom House officials As the Pueblo passed these vessels, which had formed a line about 300 yards apart, a salute was* fired, and the band, which had been stationed on the Pueblo, played a patriotic air. After the Government vessels had swung into the line other steamers and craft conveying unofficial excursionists made haste to follow, and, with the white sails of the yachts skimming the

scene, the pageant, from a marine point of view, had never been excelled the Bay of San Francisco. Abeq£ 2 o'clocjj IhePueblo headed for the Union* Ifon Works. The vessels which had been Jy.iqg, in, the.stream waiting for her got under way and followed in her walfe, miking a marine procession several miles in length. At the Union Iron W6rks the Pueblo was received.' vdtb the.,, blowing of whistles at ths factory ail id on. all steam vessels lying there. The cruiser Charleston,'which had the President’s steamer all 9»yv Aifchored a short distance from the Pueblo. The President was .taken-off in a tag and paid an official visit to the Charleston, being re-; ceived with a salute when he boarded the vessel* and also when he tobk his departure. By this time the bay for a milp *in dtfery direction from the Unjon Iboii Works was studded with vessel* ci every description, upon the decks of which, there wero fully 20.000 people, who had tome thereto witness the launching of the armored coast defense vessel Monterey. In addition to those @n vessels there: were probably forty thousand people who witnessed the launching from the shore. Every housetop and street and every jiillside overlooking the iron works yard as well as the yard itself was literally Covered with people. Never was; there such interest taken or such en- : thusiasm displayed at any similar eventj In this part of the country. On the shore i and on the bay there was a perfect sea of flags and bunting, and for some time before the launching occurred there was i a continuous screeching of steam whis-, ties, to which was added the music of a' score of bands on excursion steamers. A small platform had been built around the bow of the vessel, and on this were the Presidential party and other distinguished guests, and also a band from the navy yard. At 4:30 Mrs. Harrison pressed an electric button, whicih sent the vessel down the ways. The navy yard band Dlayed a national air as she glided iuto the water, and immediately there burst forth the greatest noise from steam whistles, to which was added the thundering sound of the Charleston's guns as she fired a national salwte; cheer after cheer also arose from shore and from the vessels. The launch was entirely successful. The President and party then returned to the Palace Hotel. When the Presidential party arrived at San. Jose a national salute was fired and a large crowd gathered at the station cheered lustily. The visitors were escorted to the Hotel Vendome, where an address of welcome was made by Mayor Rucker, and responded to by the President as follows: Mr. Mayor and fellow-citizens, I am again surprised by this large outpouring of my . friends, and by the respectful Interest which they evince. I can not find words to express the delight which 1 hdve feltC- and which those who journey with me have felt, as we have observed the beauty, and more than all the comfort and prosperity which characterize the great State of California I am glad to observe here as I have elsewhere that my old comrades of the greatwar for the Gnlod have turned out to witness afresh by this demonstration their love for the flag and their veneration for American institutions. My comrades, I greet you every one affectionately. I doubt not that every loyal State has representatives hgre of that great army that subdued the rebellion and brought home the flag in triumph. I hope that you found In this flowery and prosperous * land, in the happy homes which you have built up here, in the wives and children that grace your firesides, sweet contrast to those times of peril and hardship which you experienced in the army, and I trust above all that under these genial and kindly Influences you still maintain that devotion to our institutions, and are teaching It to the children that will take your places. We often speak of children following In the footsteps of their fathers. Nearly a year ago at the great review of the Grand Army of the Republic at Boston, after those thousands of veterans, stricken with years

And labor, had passed along, a great arms nearly as large came on with the swinging Step that characterized you when you carried the flag from your home to the field. They weresonsof veterans, literally marching In their fathers’ steps, and so I love to think in the hands of this generation that is coming on to take our place; our institutions are safe, and that the honor and glory of the flag will be maintained. We may quietly go to our rest when God shall call us in the full assurance that His favoring providence will follow us, and that In your children valor and sacrifice for the flag will always manifest themselves. Months have traversed land and sea and history has recorded the magnificence of many a royal e. u'pase, but no emperor ever had bnportunity to enjoy su< h luxurious traveling accommodations as have been conferred by ingenious and comfbrt-soeking man upon the President of the greatost republic the nations of the earth ever bche+d. There have been many fine specimens of the car-builders’ art previous to the creation of this “Presidential special,” but it is questionable whether thero is in railroad annals a more elaborately complete vehicular aggregation than the one which was prepared for the journey of the chief executive and Ills guests. The great pan-American excursion train was rerarded as being the acme of perfection, but that made its pilgrimage a year and a half ago, and there have been many important improvements sinco that ca’tne to a close. First in the string of five cars is the combination baggage, smoking, and library-car, Azt!an, upon the forward panels of which is inscribed in large gilt letters: “The Presidential Special. ” In one of the corners nearest the engine is a perfect incandescent electric light plant, with a noisy liltlo dynamo in frequent operation. In the same compartment the baggage and a re.-erve stock of supplies is stored away, all in the most admirable order and looking as little like the ordinary everyday baggage car as could be easily imagined. A narrow doorway, generally occupied by a swinging door, separates the baggage section from the smoking-room and library. The upholstery is of olive plush, and the furniture is of a character that cannot fail to contribute to the comfort of those mortals who are privileged to uso It Two bookcases, one on each side of the car, contain a couple of hundred standard works, and beneath each of the cases is a desk and a supply of writing material. Between the cases and alongside of the clock is an electric screw-fan which faces a twin contrivance at the opposite ond of the apartment; these, when in operation, will keep the atmosphere fairly clear and reasonably cool. “Colorado” is the name of the diningcar, and a more nearly perfect creation in the shape of a restaurant on wheels could not easily be found The furnishings of the dining-car proper are supremely aesthetic. Cleanly waiters, clad in spotless white raiment, are not least among the attractions. The kitchen lacks nothing, and is presided over by one of the most experienced Afro-Ameri-can chefs.

Next the commissary headquarters is the Prestdent’s car, the “New Zealand.” So far as the upholstery of the main interior is concerned, this is probably the least attractive subdivision of the train. The p'tush is a dull variety of blue, and the curtains are seal brown. Here and there newspaper representatives are quartered. But beyond the somberly comfortableappearing draperies is a traveling paradise —the drawing-rooms occupied by the President and Mrs. Harrison. The apartments, which are en suite, are models of artistic taste. All the woodwork is enameled in white and decorated with the choicest floral patterns in gilt moldings, while the seats and sofas are covered with a rich shade of terra-cotta plush. A more pleasing effect would (hardly be possible. The “Ideal.” which Is the car following immediately after the Presidential vehicle, differs materially from the other cars. Its interior is divided into six drawing-rooms, and oach of these subdivisions possesses coloring and design distinctively its own. More interesting than any other portion of the train to the millions of men, women and children who will strive to see the President and Mrs. Harrison during the next few days will be the “Va- 1 •cuna” —the last car in the train. From its rear end the President will deliver

more than a few speeches, and, leaning over the brass-topped bronze fence, must of necessity shake many a horny hand, to say nothing of the hands that are not even moderately hard. When the train was inspected by Mrs. Harrison, shortly before the hour of departure, she expressed a decided preference for the Vacuna as'a day-car, and her judgment was applauded by the ladies of the party. The foward end of the Vacuna contains six sleeping sections, upholstered In blue and metal fitted in brass. In the rear of these and separated from them only by the buffet is the observation compartment, with plash-cushioned willow chairs enough to accommodate sixteen people, provided no one chair is burdened by more than one individual. The windows are large and are made of the finest plate glass. Human ingenuity may be able to make railway travel less irksome and more comfortable than it is now, but ingenuity must strain itself considerably if it succeeds in turning out anything more elaborate and complete than the “Presidential special.* Eveby man is by nature his own go<L

ON THE PLATFORM OF "THE “VACUNA.”

PRIVATE APARTMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT AND MRS. HARRISON.