MASSACHUSETTS DAY.

July 11, 1898.

The legislature of the state of Massachusetts having provided for a formal
representation at the Exposition, the state officials selected this day for
their visit.  At the head of the delegation was Lieut. Gov. W. Murray Crane and
staff.  Besides the governor, most of the state officers and numerous members
of the assembly were present.  The exercises were held in the Auditorium at 11
o'clock A.M.  Governor Holcomb and staff and State Adjutant General Barry,
Chancellor George E. McLean of the University of Nebraska, Manager Rosewater,
and other Nebraskans assisted in the entertainment of the distinguished guests. 
Mrs. Clement Chase, chairman of the bureau of entertainment, and other members
of that bureau were present.  After music, Governor Hale was introduced and
heartily welcomed the visitors from the Old Bay State.

Lieut. Gov. W. Murray Crane responded in a brief but appropriate address. 
President Gurdon W. Wattles delivered an address of welcome in which he
referred to the fact that at one time the boundaries of Massachusetts extended
westward to the westward to the western line of the dominion of the nation, and
said that although these boundaries no longer reached to the eastern bounds of
our state, yet the influence of the New England stock from which many of the
residents of the west descended, the ties of consanguinity which bound the west
to the east made the representatives of Massachusetts as welcome as though we
were a part of the Old Bay State itself.

Hon. George E. Smith, president of the senate of Massachusetts, delivered a
most polished address, after which Mrs. G.W. Johnston sang in a most pleasing
manner and was warmly applauded.

Hon. John L. Bates, speaker of the house of representatives of the
Massachusetts legislature was the next speaker.  He said that the delegates
from Massachusetts brought the hearty good will of the people of that state and
congratulations on the great Exposition and on the boundless possibilities of
the great country represented by that enterprise.

Chancellor George E. McLean of the Nebraska University then delivered an
address, after which more music was rendered, and the meeting was adjourned to
luncheon served in the Markel Cafe.  At this luncheon eloquent toasts were
responded to by W.H. Alexander and W.G. Whitmore, natives of Massachusetts now
residing in Nebraska.

On Tuesday evening, January 12th, the Massachusetts delegation was tendered a
reception by President Wattles and Mrs. Wattles at their home on Thirty-seventh
street.  The wide porch and grounds about their residence were decorated and
illuminated for the occasion.  Many of the prominent society people of Omaha
met the Massachusetts visitors, and the function was pronounced one of the most
elaborate and successful of any of the many private receptions given during the
entire Exposition.