The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-22
WELCOME TO GRANT.

GENERAL PLAN OF THE MONSTER EXCURSION TO
SAN FRANCIsCo-oNE CENT MILE-FIFTY
THOUSAND MEN EXPECTED TO TAKE PART
ALL THE DETAILS ARRANGED.
[BY TELEGRAPH 10 -HE HERALD.
OMAHA, Neb.. March 81, 1879.
Letters have been received at the headquarters of
the Union Pacific Railroad. written to an officer of
the Central Pacific from the manager of the proposed
excursion to meet General Grant in San Francisco
on his return. 1t appears from the communications
that the movement is sanctioned by the leading
republicans Of the Senate and House OF Representa-
tves, and letters pouring in from the Southern
States with that every Congressional dis
trict will be represented not less than two hundred
being from New Orleans, and the response from
the Eastern States is not less general Indianapolis
Columbus and other cities also eager for the
scheme, and will have many representatives. The
affair is being worked up by Congressional districts,
the chairman Of the Central Committee acting as
agent, with county central committeeman as assist
ants The latter report the chairman of the
State Central Committee. and they to G.. W. McMul-
len & Brother Chicago. Tho important question Of
rates which will determine to great extent the
number of excursionists, is in the hands Of expe-
rienced railroad men. who have prepared careful
Inmates of the lowest rate ever before offered excur
sionists for the proposed round trip-which is
500 from the Pacific roads and $40 from the Eastern
points Omaha. 1t is ascertained that the actual
expense carriage for excursion of the dimensions
proposed will not exceed 81 per capita for loo
miles.
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS A HEAD
1t is believed that rate little more than So for the
round trip could be secured between eastern points
and Omaha, while for the round trip from Omaha to
San Francisco $40 will probably be charged. making
the railroad fare for the entire trip from any
point in the country about So, or less than one
per mile. 1t is estimated that at this rate not
less than so 900 will make the trip. Correspondence
has been opened with the hotels and dining sta
tons along the line to secure corresponding
reductions. 1t Is proposed to occupy three
weeks in the trip, remaining one week in
San Francisco. Each line of railroad OF the standard
gauge is expected to furnish coaches for its
passengers, who will be sent through without
change running at the rate of perhaps twenty miles
to the hour making stops only for wood and water.
The Pacific railroads will procure the necessary
number of additional locomotives from other lines
where hundreds now lying idle. The
strictest measures will be taken to protect the
railroad and to prevent any but bona hde
excursionists taking advantage OF the reduction of
rates 1t is proposed that the excursion shall be
controlled exclusively by body of managers, TO
avoid an overwhelming onslaught on public men
and officials for passes. Certificates will be issued to
each excursionst by county committeeman, coun-
tersigned by the chairmen of Congressional dis
tricts, and upon these the chairmcn OF the State
Central committees will issue tickets. The plan is
fully developed but every effort has been made to
keep the details from the public.