Jasper County Democrat, Volume 5, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1903 — ST. LOUIS DESICATION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ST. LOUIS DESICATION.

Program Adopted by the Exposition Officials. At a meeting in St. Louis, nt which President Thomas 11. Carter of the national world’s fair commission, President

David R. Francis and other officer* of the exposition company were prgSent, the program for the three days’ dedicatory exercises of the exposition was finally adopted. The dedication of the buildings, under the direction of the national commission, W’ill begin April 30. 'on the centennial

anniversary of the cession of the Louisiana territory by France to the United States, nnd continue through May 1 nnd 2. The fireworks to he set off each day will be the grandest ever produced. The principal ceremonies will be on April 30, when President Roosevelt and former President Cleveland will be among the speakers. At 10 o’clock on' that date the freedom of the city will be tendered to the President of the United States by Mayor Wells. Then will follow the military parade, composed of United States troops nnd National Guards from various States. These bodies will be assembled under the direction of Maj. Gen. Henry C. Corbin, the grand marshal, and will move, preceded by President Roosevelt and official guests in carriages, through Forest Park to the exposition grounds, where the presidential salute will he fired. From a grand stand on the exposition grouuds the parade will be reviewed by President Roosevelt. Promptly at 2 o’clock the assembly in the Liberal Arts building will be called to order by President Francis and the dedicatory program will be carried out. On the morning of the second day members of the diplomatic' corps, the representatives of foreign governments to the exposition and other official guests will be escorted to the Liberal Arts building, where Corwin 11. Spencer, chairman of the committee on ceremonies, will call the meeting to order. John M. Thurston of the national commission will be president of the day. President Francis of the exposition will extend a greeting to the representatives of the foreign governments, and there will be addresses by the French ambassador and Spanish minister. The civil parade will be held on the third day and will be reviewed by the Governors of States. Immediately after the close of the exercises the Governor* will proceed to the building sites selected for their respective States, whero corner stones will be laid and State colors will be raised with appropriate ceremonies.

D.R. FRANCIS.