Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-27


QUITE A BOON"
A citizens meeting, to take final action on
the matter OF making preparations for the
reception OF the French visitors expected to
arrive IN this city on their way to the Yorktown
centennial. was held last night at the National
MOTEL. the president. Mr.. Dent. in the chair. Mr..
NJ L. Weller was elected secretary for the even
ing The chair briefly stated the objects of the
meeting and called for an expression of opinions
undertaking.
THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK.
Mr. Cross. chairman OF the finance committee
stated that he had not heard much as to the
success of the subcommittee on collections.
and therefore had not much to report, but from
what he had heard very poor prospects were be-
fore them. lie had heard of but 600 guaran-
teed. Mr. J. c. ErgOOd. merchant on Louisiana
avenue, stated that he could speak for the
square on which he was doing business. He
could say that every man on his square in bust
ness would make liberal contributions. Mr. F.
K.Ward stated that he had met with a rather cool
reception in his efforts to collect funds and felt
sOmeW hat discouraged
Mr.. Geo. W. Cochran stated that it appeared
to him, from what the country and especially
this city had passed through recently and the
general gloom that had settled over this COM
munity at recent events which had occurred
mere ne thought it unwise to attempt TO proceed
further with the undertaking. The people here
funds necessary. They certainly do not appear
TO be willing under the circumstances to con-
tribute literally. As for himself, he thought it
inappropriate to persist in carrying out the pur-
poses for which they had organized. The public
buildings have Just been draped in mourning
and all is gloomy. He had received handsome
subscription from Mr. C. c. Willard to head his
list, but since the death of President
Garfield he had received a note from Mr..
Willard asking to withdraw his subscription
of fha ipor iota of hox,
jollfcation so soon after the funeral ceremonies
just over. The secretary read the note Mr.
Morrison conceded with the sentiments ex-
pressed by Mr.. Willard in his letter to Mr..
Cochran. He thought It would look preposter-
Gus to hold a jOllifcation at this time. 1t would
he much more appropriate for the citizens of
this District to make subscriptions for the pro-
posed Garfield monument. or to swell the Gar
field fund TO the widow and children of the
deceased.
ONE AGAINST MANY.
Colonel Blackburn took a different view of
the ease. He thought ii very proper thing to
proceed with just what they had started out to
do. The late President Garfield had invited
these French guests to this city and a sum had
been voted by Congress to entertain them while
here How would it look to refuse to entertain
them properly? How can they avoid doing so?
Baltimore. Philadelphia. New York and other
places are making extensive preparations. and
it would be discredt now to sit with orr
to receive them. Let Us by all means CO.
operate with the Secretary of State in this
matter.
Mr. Morrison replied that the people of this
District had not invited these visitors here
they were the guests of the nation The citi-
Zens are evidently averse TO contributing money
for this purpose.
Mr.. Blackburn continued to hold out against
what appeared to be the general sentiment
Mr.. Ward inquired if there was no other plan
tn no tod rtoi,,
val-One which would be less expensive. and at
the same time answer the purpose
The chair stated that the idea of q carnival
such as was understood by that term. had pretty
much been abandoned. Now. how to obtain
the money was the question. The Secretary of
State had Informed him that he had $50 900 in
his possession. and had suggested that the citi-
Zens OF the District cooperate with him in cOurte
sizes to be extended to the visitors. He sug-
gested military escort. fireworks and illumina-
lions as appropriate demonstrations while they
are passing between their hotel and the Capitol
and back again.
Mr.. DECISIONS IDEA OF THE ENTERTAINMENT
Mr.. Dickson said it was an error in speaking
of the contemplated demonstration as car
nival. The term carnival suggests something
OF COMIC or grOtesque nature. and the ideas Of
Elany are associated with the comical display
held ON Pennsylvania avenue several years ago.
after the laying of the wood pavement What
has been suggested in place of a similar demon
stratiOn is to have series of tableaus historical
and instructive, illustrating the history Of cur
country since its civilizations the discovery by
COiumbus; landing of the Pilgrims; discovery
OF the Mississippi; throwing the tea overheard
at Boston; battle of Lexington and Concord;
signing of the Declaration of Independence.
countrys history. Such a scheme properly
carried out would far excel ANYTHING
adopted by other cities. as far as is known All
grotesque representations should be excluded
from the plans Such representation would
not be open to the objections commonly urged
against the carnival. They should entertain
these French guests appropriately and cordially,
as they have been invited. 1t would be disgrace
full not to do so. These visitors should have a
continuous ovation, and why should there be
break in the continuous chain in this city, the
capital OF the country? A military escort. fire
works, an illumination of the dWeing-hOuses
does not amount to much in the way of cost. 1t
would not require so great an OUTLAY; $4,000
would probably be sufficient to carry it through.
For the credit of the city they should set to
work.
The secretary. Mr.. Weller said he was in favor
OF system of tableauX and the other portions of
the program suggested by Mr.. Dickson. and he
was strongly in favor Of carrying this thing on,
and he hoped Mr. Dickson would make some
motion OF a definite character
MR. COCHRAN CALLS ATTENTION TO AN IMPORTANT
MATTER.
Mr.. Cochran stated that he thought well of
what MI Dickson had suggested. He wished
to call attention to one prominent fact. and he
hoped the reporters would take notice of it-this
Is. the conspicuous absence of almost every gem
tleman of wealth in this District The men best
able to help on this hOspitabe work do not
attend our meetings. The absence of eyery-
thing fantastic should be discarded and a series
of interesting and instructive tableaus should be
substituted.
Mr.. Dickson remarked that the whole cost of
this would not he great. He thought he could
almost guarantee One-sixth of the amount
needed. The estimate had been placed at
$4,000. which he thought ample. and it should
be raised in a day under such circumstances A
military display. music. tableaus, fire works and
Nominations can ali be gotten up in time
MODIFIED PLAN.
He offered a resolution, that the celebration |
TO be given in honor of the foreign guests that |
visit the capital during the Yorktown centen- |
NAL celebration. consist of military and civic
procession. an illumination of PENNSYLVANIA ave- |
nue.. decorations and display of fire works and
appropriate music"
The resolution was adopted unanimously. and
on motion of Mr.. Geo. w. Cochran, subscrin-
ton paper was opened on the spot, ana in less
than twenty minutes the following sums were
subscribed and most of the cash planked down:
j. Dent, 500; F. X. Ward, 800; C. C. Glover.
500; W. H. Morrison, $50: l.. Woodbury.. $50;
Gen. McKibben $50: j. c. ErUoOd 500. s Rem