USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Albany bi-centennial. Historical memoirs > Part 3
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The floats virtually constitute a series of moving tableaux. The success of the representation largely depends upon the good behavior, good taste and in-
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telligence of those who are chosen to appear in these tableaux, representing, as they do, distinguished per- sonages in history and actors in events described. Careful inquiry and consideration leads us to the conclusion that volunteers must be depended upon for this service, which is not only highly responsible and arduous, but also requires persons of intelligence who have some pride in the success of the parade. We have been led to believe that Albany has a suf- ficient number of public-spirited young men compe- tent for the duty required, who would volunteer to supply characters in the tableaux when their services are needed.
If a full parade of floats is not desired, the only practicable alternatives appear to be either a parade on horse-back or a foot parade, neither of which pre- sents arguments in its favor that we are prepared to approve. Investigations by your committee have shown that a creditable parade on horse-back would cost equally as much as the proposed historical pageant. A foot parade, at the best, would be en- tirely unsatisfactory, could not be made a conspicu- ous feature of the celebration, and, if any adequate attempt were made, would prove very costly. It is likely that many volunteer processions in costume will take place during the Bi-centennial week which would tend to impair the enjoyment of any novelty that might be attempted in a foot parade on Wednes- day night. Should it be decided to abandon the idea of having a historical pageant, it would then appear that some entirely different feature of public amusement should be substituted.
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Thus far we have considered this subject simply in relation to its general bearings and desirability as a form of public entertainment, apart from the ob- stacles to accomplishment which might render the undertaking difficult or out of the question, and en- tirely aside from the factor of cost as related to ways and means and return for the money expended.
II.
Your committee has given close attention to the difficulties which the production of a historical pa- geant here in Albany involves.
The construction of floats would last several weeks, and during that time the use of a large building (say twenty-five by one hundred and seventy-five feet) would be required. The place of construction must be conveniently accessible from the line of parade over a level and fairly well-paved street. So far as we are able to learn, no suitable locality for the purpose can be chosen in the lower part of the city. Some point in the western part of the city would probably have to be selected, and we are of the opinion that it would be necessary to construct a building for the purpose.
The question whether a suitable line of parade can be selected is of paramount importance. Rough pavement presents a serious obstacle to the successful moving of floats. It is practically out of the question to descend the steeper grades found in our streets, and even the ascent, which is much less difficult, can- not be thought of in many localities. A height of sixteen feet is believed to be the maximum really required in the programme submitted to us by Mr.
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De Leon, and, therefore, there must be a clear space equal to seventeen or eighteen feet in height over the entire route selected. Any telegraph or other lines as well as any branches of trees which hang below this limit must be raised or removed. After a de- tailed examination of our principal thoroughfares and of connecting streets, we are decidedly of the opinion that a selection of a feasible route for the parade presents no essential difficulty. There are places in which wires would have to be raised, but the extent of these is small and the number of wires comparatively few. We also have reason to believe that there will not be the least difficulty in securing the proper remedy in the case of telegraph, tele- phone and electric light wires which may interfere with a selected route. After careful inspection, we find that it would be entirely feasible to carry the pageant down Hudson avenue to Pearl street, thence to Clinton avenue, up Clinton avenue to Lark street, thence to the place of beginning; and this, together with portions of Washington avenue and State street with short connecting streets, appears to constitute the only available route. Members of the Citizens' Committee will readily understand this decision when they consider the peculiar structure of bulky floats supporting tableaux high in air, requiring plenty of space and favorable grades, especially at all turning points.
Reference has already been made to the difficulty of supplying characters for the tableaux upon the floats. We are confident that volunteers can be secured.
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There is some danger of break-downs and other accidents to the moving pageant. The contractor or manager, with his assistants, looks after such contin- gencies. A number of expert mechanics accompany the parade, ready for emergencies, with tools, extra wheels and other material.
The parade cannot be moved in the rain. In case the parade could not be moved on Wednesday night on account of rain, Thursday or Friday night would still be available-and even Saturday night, if we should be so unfortunate as to have three rainy nights in succession. Such postponement would en- tail no extra expense to the committee.
These and many other natural and mechanical ob- stacles to the successful production of the proposed pageant have been considered in detail and with painstaking care by your committee, and we are of the opinion that they do not, in themselves, consti- tute a valid argument against the possibility of the parade.
After carefully weighing all the facts and argu- ments in the case, we are decidedly of the opinion that the proposed historical pageant should be pre- sented to the public in first-class style or not at all. Those who have seen similar exhibitions in Balti- more, New Orleans and other cities should find in Al- bany no warrant for unfavorable comparisons. We have reflected upon the fact that our undertaking, if adopted, will be essentially different in spirit from anything previously undertaken in the same general line. It will be incumbent upon us to show that a strictly historical theme offers equal, and it is to be
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hoped, ven more satisfactory facilities for illustration than have been afforded by mystic performances else- where. It may fairly be expected that our pageant will be in one sense a pioneer effort, and that it will become an exemplar in similar undertakings else- where in the future. We have carefully considered the matter in this light, and we are convinced that the proposed pageant cannot be put upon the streets for a sum much less than $10,000. We do not be- lieve that the people could be properly entertained, or the members of this committee satisfied, with any show of this kind that could be produced for a sum materially less than the one we have mentioned.
Whether this very large sum can properly be de- voted to such a purpose, each member of this com- mittee must decide for himself.
III
In response to a request from your committee for estimates, Mr. De Leon has expressed his willingness to contract to prepare such a pageant, according to plans and specifications, in first-class style, and con- sisting of sixteen floats, for the gross sum of $9,000. He would make a deduction of $500 for each float less than the number selected. For this sum, he will turn over to the committee, the parade completely constructed and manned, except that he cannot en- gage to procure the figurantes or characters for the living tableaux upon the floats. As before stated, these should be volunteers provided by this com- mittee; and he estimates that seventy-five of them would be needed.
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The men he will furnish for carrying the parade through the streets will be as follows: Experts, 6; title-bearers, 15; lamp men, 70; "firemen," 32 ; grooms, 32. He estimates that forty horses will be needed, and these he will also provide.
The Bi-centennial Committee, if it should accept Mr. De Leon's proposals, would have to provide a building for construction. This building should be about one hundred and seventy-five feet long, twenty feet wide and twenty feet high in the clear; and we estimate that such a building, if constructed by us, will cost about $750 net.
In view of the facts which we have already pre- sented, and which are supplemented by a great vari- ety of facts and arguments that could not be well set forth in the limits of this report, your committee respectfully submits the following conclusions :
I. The matter of the proposed historical pageant must be decided at once.
2. While your action upon the main question does not directly and formally make an appropriation, the matter is one of great importance, and we, therefore, recommend that previous to voting upon it a resolu- tion be passed requiring that fifteen affirmative votes shall be necessary for the adoption of any pro- position authorizing the production of a historical pageant.
3. We are of the opinion that it is desirable to carry out the design for a historical pageant.
4. The success of a parade, such as is proposed, depends largely upon the secrecy with which the details are perfected. It is, therefore, obviously nec-
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essary that the persons immediately entrusted with its management shall be invested with full power as to details. If the committee authorizes the produc- tion of a historical pageant as we have recommended, we urge that a sub-committee of five be appointed at once to carry out the plans under the direction of the Citizens' Bi-centennial Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS BOSS, WALTER DICKSON, JAMES H. MANNING, JOHN L. VAN VALKENBURGH, W. BAYARD VAN RENSSELAER.
This report was accepted. A sum not to exceed $10,000 was appropriated therefor. A committee to recommend an appropriate Bi-centennial flag, con- sisting of Franklin M. Danaher, Wm. M. Whitney, Walter Dickson and Archibald McClure, was ap- pointed.
April 22, 1886. The Chairman moved that an invitation be extended to the Governor, Lieutenant- Governor and Members of the Senate and Assembly, and also State officers, to participate in the com- ing Bi-centennial celebration. It was carried. From the joint committees, the executive and finance, re- port was made that the total expenses of the cele- bration would be between $35,000 and $40,000, the Finance Committee adding that they feel assured that that amount can be raised. The Chairman presented the following communication :
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ANTWERPEN, Den., April 3, 1886.
TO THE HONORABLE A. BLEECKER BANKS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA :
SIR-We received quite well your letter of the 25th Feb- ruary past, by which you and the Honorable Common Council of your city are so kind to us, as well as the inhabi- tants of our town, to participate in the festivities which will be held in the city of Albany in order to celebrate, on the 22d July next, the two hundredth anniversary of the charter of your city.
This invitation makes us so much the more pleasure, as it comes from a people who remembers on the other side of the Atlantic and for a solemn occasion its origin. The old Netherlands are pleased and happy to learn their American sons did not forget their brothers who remained at home.
We have given knowledge of your kind missive to the Common Council and the inhabitants of this city, and we are much obliged to you. If any are intending to travel to your country, we shall find much pleasure to let you know it.
We remain, dear sir, faithfully yours,
By Ordinance, The Secretary,
For the Burgomaster, The Aldermen,
April 29, 1886. The following designations were reported : Orator, Governor David B. Hill; Poet, William H. McElroy; and also that the gentlemen named had signified their acceptance.
The sum of $3,000 was appropriated to cover the disbursements of the Committee on Music; the sum of $900 for the Bi-centennial flag.
May 6, 1886. Mr. Rosendale presented the fol- lowing communication :
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ALBANY, N. Y., May 6, 1886.
TO THE CITIZENS' BI-CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE :
Since your last meeting my term of office, as Mayor, has expired, and my successor, Hon. John Boyd Thacher, has qualified and is now in the discharge of his duties.
The character of your committee is such that you repre- sent, not only the citizens, but the municipality itself, and, as upon the Mayor will necessarily devolve many of the chief duties connected with the celebration, it seems appro- priate he should be at the head of the Citizens' Bi-centen- nial Committee.
I, therefore, hereby tender my resignation as Chairman of your committee.
I have every confidence that under the chairmanship of Mayor Thacher the work will be successfully conducted.
I beg to express my acknowledgments for the considera- tion extended to me by you, individually and collectively, and confidently expect that the enthusiasm, earnestness and zeal which has characterized your labors will be continued and crowned with complete success.
With very great respect, I remain, A. BLEECKER BANKS.
Resignation was accepted.
Mr. Quinby offered the following: That this com- mittee extends its heartfelt thanks to ex-Mayor A. Bleecker Banks for the kindly and active interest he has taken in the proposed celebration of the Bi-cen- tennial of the city of Albany and for the labors done with and in behalf of this committee, and trusts that it will continue to have the benefit of his counsel and active co-operation. Adopted.
Mr. Wemple offered the following: That Hon. John Boyd Thacher, Mayor, be and is hereby elected Chairman and Hon. A. Bleecker Banks be elected Vice-Chairman of the Citizens' Bi-centennial Com- mittee. Adopted.
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Mr. Hitt moved that A. Bleecker Banks continue as Chairman and member of all sub-committees of which he is now Chairman and member, and that Mayor John Boyd Thacher be made member of such committees ex-officio. Carried.
The Secretary presented and read the following communication :
THE MANSION HOUSE, LONDON, Eng., April 21, 1886.
MY DEAR SIR-I am in receipt of your worship's very kind letter of February 25th, in which you are good enough to invite me to participate in the festivities of July next in celebrating the Bi-centennial of the charter of the city of Albany.
It would have given me very great pleasure to have joined you in this auspicious commemoration, but I regret exceedingly that my official engagements in London at that time forbid the hope that I could undertake so long a jour- ney. If I learn that any members of the corporation of London are likely to be in America in July, I will not fail to commend them to the courtesy of yourself and your fellow-citizens.
Permit me again to thank you for your flattering and obliging invitation, and to express, in advance, my sincere congratulations to the citizens of Albany of the celebration of so interesting an event in the annals of their municipality, and on the prosperous and flourishing condition in which your city happily finds itself after so prolonged and useful an existence as a chartered community.
Believe me, my dear sir, your worship's very faithful ser- vant and colleague,
JOHN STAPLES, Lord Mayor of London.
The Worshipful A. BLEECKER BANKS,
Mayor of the city of Albany, United States.
Also the following :
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John Boye Thacker
ALBANY, N. Y., April, 28, 1886.
TO THE HON. A. BLEECKER BANKS,
Mayor and Chairman of the Citizens' Bi-centennial Committee.
The Lieutenant-Governor accepts with pleasure the invi- tation to participate in the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the granting of the charter to the city of Albany by Governor Thomas Dungan.
Received and ordered entered in full on the min- utes.
It was resolved that the thanks of the committee be and they are hereby tendered to the Members of the Legislature and others who participated at the base ball game to-day, at West Troy, for the benefit of the Bi-centennial fund. Mr. A. Bleecker Banks, Mr. McElroy and Mr. Williams were appointed to examine and audit all accounts on behalf of the com- mittee.
May 13, 1886. Acknowledgments of invitations to attend the Bi-centennial celebration were received from the Hon. Dennis O'Brien, Attorney-General of the State of New York; Hon. Lawrence J. Fitz- gerald, State Treasurer ; Hon. Thomas E. Benedict, Deputy Comptroller. The sum of $1.900 was ap- propriated for engraving and printing. Mr. Dick- son, in behalf of the Committee on Decorations and Monumenting presented a detailed report, which pro- vided for four evergreen arches; nineteen granite slabs with bronze tablets; five bronze tablets in buildings ; five bronze tablets, old street names ; dec- orations for the City Hall, City building, Schuyler corner, Pemberton corner, Schuyler mansion, Manor
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house, Albany; Manor house, Greenbush, and other ancient houses. The report concluded as follows :
" Your committee, aware of the grave responsi- bility to them entrusted, of monumenting the site of old land marks and cherished spots which are in- tended to add to the attractiveness of the city of Albany, and which will, doubtless, arouse in the hearts of unborn generations a stronger love of birth- place and home, and a more deeply impressed famil- iarity with its early history and its prominence in securing the liberties he, as a native, now enjoys, in order that we shall not omit anything important to this object or make errors in our work, in all candor, solicit additional information, suggestions and cor- rections which can or may be offered to us, the same to be duly considered and, if approved, carried out to the best of our ability." It was also suggested that an arch of evergreens be placed at each place designated as the city gates of 1695. It was also resolved that the Chairman of this committee be authorized to establish a general head-quarters for this committee, where all business, pertaining to the forthcoming celebration, can be transacted, and to organize and conduct a Bureau of Information and Accommodations. A committee of five was desig- nated to meet with the Committee on Public Cele- brations at the Common Council chamber, for the purpose of appropriating and dividing the $10,000 provided in the annual tax budget of the city for 1886, for Bi-centennial purposes.
May 20, 1886. Acknowledgments and accept- ances of the committee's invitation to participate
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were received from the Hon. Frederick Cook, Secre- tary of State; the Hon. Wm. B. Ruggles, Deputy Superintendent of Insurance, and Hon. Alfred C. Chapin, Comptroller.
Mr. Henry Martin, John M. Walsh, John D. Reilly, Thos. S. O'Brien, Michael D. Slattery, David Healey and Thos. H. Hankin were added to the All Nations' Day Committee. The Aldermen of the city were appointed an Auxiliary Committee with the Finance Committee to collect and receive subscriptions for the Bi-centennial. Messrs. W. B. Mellius and George R. Howell were added to the Committee on Decoration and Monumenting. An editorial representative, from each of the city daily papers, was added to the Finance Committee, and the sum of $3,000 was appropriated for fire-works. The sum of $2,500 was appropriated for monumenting and decorating. The sum of $1,900 was appropriated to defray the expenses of the Recep- tion Committee. The sum of $500 was advanced for preliminary expenses of the Loan Exhibition.
May 27, 1886. Acknowledgments and accept- ances of the invitations of the committee were re- ceived from the Hon. Elnathan Sweet, State Engi- neer and Surveyor, and Hon. John Bogart, Deputy. Notice was given that head-quarters for the Com- mittee on General Information had been opened at No. 480 Broadway. The following assignments of members of the Board of Aldermen to sub-commit- tees were announced: Finance, David J. Norton ; Reception, James O. Woodward ; Regatta, George L. Thomas; All Nations' Day, John J. Greagan.
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June 3, 1886. The Chairman presented the fol- lowing communication :
TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE A. BLEECKER BANKS, MAYOR OF ALBANY :
With many thanks for your kind and honoring invitation in regard to the festivities on the occasion of the two hun- dredth anniversary of Albany as a chartered city, we try to express our great regret that no official representation of the city of Amsterdam will be possible.
Yours respectfully,
THE BURGOMASTER AND ALDERMEN OF AMSTERDAM.
An invitation to be sent to the heads of all schools in the city was adopted as follows :
ALBANY, N. Y., April 20, 1886.
PRINCIPAL OF
DEAR SIR-Your school is cordially invited to join with the other schools of the city in celebrating the two hun- dredth anniversary of Albany's civic birth in the jubilee exercises of Monday, July 19. Should you accept this invitation, you will greatly oblige us by communicating that fact to Robert D. Williams, Secretary, 488 Broadway, on or before May Ist, since the details of the programme must be arranged at an early date.
Respectfully, A. BLEECKER BANKS, Chairman.
June 10, 1886. Messrs. R. S. Oliver, George H. Thacher, Jr., and W. W. Gibson were added as advisory members. Mr. Dickson, in behalf of the Committee on Monumenting and Decorations, pre- sented the following report relative to bronze tablets, as follows :
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Tablet No. 1-Fort Orange.
Located fifty feet east of the bend in Broadway, at Steamboat square, will be placed a granite block 3x4 feet square and sixteen inches high, with a slanting top to shed water and surrounded by an iron railing for protection. On the top of this granite will be placed a bronze tablet 20 x 32 inches, with raised letters on stippled ground-work fastened with flush bolts. On it will be inscribed: "Upon this Spot, Washed by the Tide, Stood the north-east Bastion of Fort Orange, Erected about 1623. Here the Powerful Iroquois met the Deputies of this and Other Colonies in Conference, to Establish Treaties. Here the first Courts were Held. Here, in 1643, under the Direction of Dom- inie Johannes Megapolensis, a Learned and Estimable Min- ister, the Earliest Church was Erected north-west of the Fort, and to the South of it Stood the Dominie's House."
Tablet No. 2-Municipal.
A bronze tablet, 32x40 inches, inserted in the exterior surface of the Eagle street wall of the City Hall. It is thus inscribed :
[Correct Coat of Arms of the City. ] " Tablet commem- orating the 200th anniversary of Albany as a Chartered City. Charter granted by Gov. Dongan, July 22, 1686. Settled about 1624. The time women arrived. Made State Capital 1797. Early names of the City : Fort Orange, Beverwycke, Wilemstadt. First City Hall build- ing erected near Fort Orange about 1686. Second one erected north-east corner of Broadway and Hudson Street about 1705. Third one erected on this site 1829. Burned 1881. Fourth, or Present Building, 1883. First Mayor, 1686, Peter Schuyler; Centennial Mayor, 1786, John Lan- sing, Jr .; Bi-Centennial Mayor, 1886, John Boyd Thacher. Bi-Centennial Committee."
Tablet No. 3-Broadway.
Located on ground front of Government building, on Broadway near corner of State-Bronze tablet 12 x 30 inches inserted in die of the pedestal to the column looking up State street, inscribed : "This is Broadway formerly in suc- cession Handelaers or Traders, Court and Market street."
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.
Tablet No. 4-The " First Patroon."
A bronze tablet, 16x22 inches placed in the City Hall, and thereon inscribed :
" Killian Van Rensselaer, the Progenitor of the Van Rensselaer family in America, was a Merchant of Amster- dam, Holland, and the Original Proprietor and first Pa- troon of the Manor and Rensselaerwycke; Patent Granted him by the Dutch Gov't in 1629.
" The following year he bought from the Indians Lands lying on both sides of the Hudson River from Baeren Island to Cohoes Falls and Established the Settlement."
Tablet No. 5 -- The Old Dutch Church.
Located in the Government building adjoining No. 3, to which it corresponds in outline, material and size. The inscription reads:
" OPPOSITE, At the Intersection of these Streets, stood the Old Dutch Church. Built 1656. Rebuilt 1715. Re- moved 1806. Burial Ground around it."
Tablet No. 6-Lutheran Church.
Inserted on South Pearl street face of the City building. Bronze tablet, 16x22, inscribed :
"Site of the First Lutheran church. Built 1669. Re- moved 1816. Burial Ground around it. Between this Spot and Beaver Street, flowed Rutten Kill."
Tablet No. 7-First English Church.
Located in the walk, near the curb, north-west corner of Chapel and State streets. Bronze tablet, 11X23 inches, set in the top of a granite block 21 x33 inches square and 16 inches high above the sidewalk-will have a slanting top to shed water. On it will read :
"Opposite in middle of State street stood the First Eng- lish Church Erected A. D. 1715-Removed and Rebuilt as St. Peter's church 1803 on next corner west. Rebuilt 1859."
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