COLONEL HESTER'S REMARKS
"I am very sensible of the honor conferred upon me, but will be unable to fulfill the duties, except in a most perfunctory way. It is very much to be regretted that the Honorable Martin W. Littleton is not able to be with us to-day. As the official head of the government of the borough, he was to have presided on this occasion. In his absence Major Peter J. Collins, who was at the head of an important department, will respond for his chief. I now introduce to you Major Collins."
SPEECH OF MAJOR COLLINS
"Your Honor, Mr. Francis, and ladies and gentlemen: In responding as the representative of the administration of the borough of Brooklyn, I feel that you must realize the unenviable position I occupy of appearing on such brief notice and of acting as the mouthpiece of our president, the Hon. Martin W. Littleton. Mr. Littleton instructs me to convey his most sincere regrets to your honor, to Mr. Francis and to the ladies and gentlemen constituting the Committee of One Hundred, on his enforced absence on this occasion. As some of you are aware, there has been an election in this land. Previous to this election there was carried on what some of us supposed was a political campaign. This campaign engaged the interest of every worthy citizen and public and private affairs of business have been neglected to some extent as a consequence. In the business of the borough Mr. Littleton is confronted with a vast accumulation of matters of greatest importance to Brooklyn, both in the local work and in the various boards and committee meetings in Manhattan, and he has reluctantly concluded that his absence from the city at this time would amount to an almost criminal neglect of his duty. He asks me to convey to you the congratulations and good wishes of the many thousands of our people who are unable to be with us to-day. Brooklyn has had a deep sympathy with your fair city in this tremendous enterprise, and has watched with keen interest and satisfaction your success in overcoming the many difficulties that lay in your way. Brooklyn herself has awakened from her sleep of almost ten years, and the sound of the hammer and the saw and the ring of the trowel are heard on every hand. Owing to the enterprise, energy and self-sacrificing efforts of many of the men who are with us to-day, she is astonishing the country by the wonderful increase in population. Brooklyn can no longer be regarded as the bedroom of Manhattan, for Manhattan is rapidly becoming only the workshop of Brooklyn; we can no longer be regarded as the little brother of Manhattan, for we are rapidly becoming a very big brother. Consequently, ladies and gentlemen of St. Louis, we feel qualified to appreciate the satisfaction and joy you may justly feel in this your hour of triumph, and we extend to you the right hand of fellowship and congratulate you on this wonderful creation of yours, that must go down in history as the greatest exposition in the history of mankind."
Mayor Wells was unavoidably detained by an important engagement. The
Chairman then introduced Mr. Schieren, and in doing so said:
"This is no fairy story, yet I will commence it that way. Once upon a time we of Brooklyn had a city all to ourselves. We were proud of our city and very desirous that it should be well governed, and were careful in the selection of men to fill its highest office, and thus it came to pass that one of our most successful efforts in that direction was the choice for mayor of our city of the gentleman whom I shall now present to you, Ex-Mayor Charles A. Schieren."
Mr. Schieren was warmly received and spoke as follows:
ADDRESS OF EX-MAYOR SCHIEREN
"In the name of the Brooklyn delegation I thank you sincerely for your cordial greeting and the hearty welcome extended to us. We fully appreciate your kind hospitality. We have come here to enjoy this glorious Exposition which already has attained such a great fame. Its magnificence and grandeur, both as to the magnitude of its buildings and their exhibits, is a surprise to every visitor. You may be proud of your achievements.
"This Exposition seems to exceed all others held in this country, and in many respects those held in the world.