The day opened bright and clear, the warm rays of the sun being tempered by a cool breeze. The building was not opened to the public until the conclusion of the band concert, which was held between 10:30 and 11:30. As soon as the doors were opened a large audience quickly gathered to take part in the formal exercises of the day. In the assemblage was an interesting couple, Mr. Horace Stowell, aged 93 years, and wife, who had journeyed from Madison, N. Y., a distance of over a thousand miles, to be present at the dedication ceremonies and to visit the Fair.
THE FORMAL EXERCISES
Promptly at 11:30 William Berri, Vice-President of the Commission, called the assemblage to order and introduced Rev. Carroll N. Davis, who offered the invocation. At its conclusion Mr. Berri delivered his address. The slight change in program was due to the fact that President Francis was necessarily detained for a short time.
Vice-President Berri said:
"Governor Odell, it is with very great pleasure your New York State Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition welcomes you in the New York State building here erected upon the spot where a little over one year ago you honored us by turning the first spadeful of earth for the foundation.
"Your Commission has endeavored to carry out your expressed wishes to provide for the people of New York who may visit this wonderful World's Fair, a building that shall fittingly represent the State of New York and add its share with the other state buildings to beautifying the grounds.
"We are much pleased that it is a matter of record that not only was this building complete in every detail and its doors thrown open for inspection on the opening day of the Exposition, but also that all exhibits under the control of your Commission, in the various departments, most of which are very much larger than ever before shown by New York State, were ready and in place at the moment President Francis officially declared that the great St. Louis Exposition was open to receive the world.
"We wish to thank President Francis and all officials connected with him in this great undertaking, for the uniform courtesy with which we have been treated, and for the valuable assistance that has been so generously given to us in carrying out our plans.
"It has been a most pleasurable task. We have fully accomplished what we have sought to attain. There is nothing lacking in the realization of our anticipations. As to whether we have acted wisely it is for you to judge. If, as the executive head of our State, it shall please you to commend the results we submit for your approval, this will be the proudest day in the history of the Commission."
As Governor Odell rose to respond to the remarks of Mr. Berri, he received an ovation, for which he bowed acknowledgment several times and finally raised his hand for silence. He spoke as follows: