“Long before they arrived at the auditorium the hall was fairly packed with the employees of the Plant System of Railroads and of the Southern Express Company, of which Mr. Plant is president. The distinguished party, consisting of Mr. Plant and his family and a number of friends, arrived at the eastern side of the auditorium and entered the vast hall through the doorway to the stage. “At the first sight of them the vast multitude of people within gave a round of applause which lasted for a long time, and which was a becoming greeting from the several thousands of Mr. Plant’s employees to him at such a season. “When Mr. Plant and his companions were seated on the stage, the applause ceased and order was restored in the hall. On the platform, Mrs. H. B. Plant was seated on the left of Mr. Plant. There were also there Mrs. W. G. Wood, Mrs. G. H. Tilley, Mrs. B. W. Wrenn, Mr. M. F. Plant, Mr. R. G. Erwin, Mr. M. J. O’Brien, Mr. S. G. McLendon, Mr. G. H. Tilley, Mr. A. A. Wiley, Mayor Porter King, Vice-President W. A. Hemphill, of the Exposition Company; Mr. W. F. Vandiver, Mr. Fleming G. duBignon, Mr. W. C. Bibb, Judge Robert Falligant, Hon. W. B. Thompson, formerly Second Assistant Postmaster-General; Hon. W. H. Brawley, U. S. District Judge; Mr. F. Q. Brown, Mr. G. W. Adair, and others. “After music by the Innes Band, Vice-President W. A. Hemphill, of the Exposition Company, acting as president in the absence of President Charles Collier, arose and addressed the vast audience on behalf of the Exposition Company, bidding them a cordial welcome to the fair. “Mr. Hemphill said: “‘Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen:--I have no doubt that the welcome that Mr. Collier was to have given you to-day would have been the most pleasant duty he would have had to perform since the opening of the Exposition, but he was suddenly called away, and wired me to welcome you. “‘This is an hour of thanks and congratulations. The Board thanks you for the interest you have taken in our Exposition. We thank you for the magnificent exhibit of the resources along your line that you have made at our Exposition, and for the competent people you have placed in charge of it. We thank you for your presence here to-day, and we are highly honored that so many distinguished people are here with us. “‘Mr. President, we congratulate you upon the magnificent system of railroads and steamships that you have builded up. Your life and example have been a great thing for the young men of this country to profit by [applause], showing them what it is possible for them to attain. We congratulate you, sir, upon your birthday, and we wish that you may live to observe many happy birthdays and that each one may be brighter than the one preceding it. [Applause.]