Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-26
General Grants Return.

II is worse than useless to ignore the fact
that there is growing sentiment in the
West, and among the Southern Republicans
in favor of the nomination of General Grant
for the next Presidency. In Washington
this feeling is paramount in all circles, and
in conversation with many representative
men from the South and West we were as.
sured that it had attained overwhelming
proportions in those sections 1t is proposed
to inaugurate his campaign upon his arrival
in San Francisco from the East, by mon
ster reception, of which we give the follow
ing particulars: 1t appears that the move
ment is sanctioned by the leading Repub-
leans of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives, and letters are pouring in from
the Southern states with assurances that
every Congressional district will be repre-
sented, not less than two hundred being from
New Orleans, and the response from the
Eastern states is not less general. Indian
apolis Columbus and other cities are also
eager for the scheme, aud 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 in turn to the chair
man of the state central committee and
they to G. w. McMullen & Brothers, Chi
cage. The important question Of rates,
which will determine to a great extent the
number of excursionists, is in the hands of
experienced railroad men, who have pre-
pared careful estimates of the lowest rate
ever before offered excursionists, for the
proposed round trip--which is one hundred
dollars from the Pacific roads and twenty
dollars from the Eastern points to Omaha.
1t is ascertained that the actual expense of
carriage for an excursion Of the dimensions
proposed will not exceed two dollars per
capita for twelve hundred miles.
1t is believed that a rate little more than
So for the round trip could be secured be-
tween Eastern points and Omaha, while for
the round trip from Omaha to San Fran
cisco 800 will probably be charged, making
the railroad fare for the entire trip from any
point in the country about 1926, or less than
one cent per mile. 1t is estimated that at
this rate not less than fifty thousand will
make the trip. Correspondence has been
opened with the hotels and dining stations
along the line to secure corresponding re-
ductions 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 own 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 are now lying idle. The
strictest measures will be taken to protect
the railroad and to prevent any but bona fide
excursionists taking advantage of the re-
duction of rates. 1t is proposed that the
excursion shall be controlled exclusively by
body of managers, to avoid an overwhelm-
ing onslaught on public men and officials for
passes. Certificates will be issued to each
excursionist by county committeeman, coun-
tersigned by the chairmen of Congressional
districts, and upon these the chairmen 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.