Daily globe., 1883-08-26
ACARD FROM MAYOR AMES.

ACARD FROM MAYOR AMES.
To THE PUBL1o:-As I have been thor
onghly maligned and misrepresented in
reference to the proposed reception of
the Willard party and celebration of the
event of the Northern Pacific railroad
opening, I present the following state
ment which, even the press liars will not
attempt to dispute or deny, viz:
I sent communication to the city
council some time ago asking them to ap-
point a committee to make arrangements
to give our visitors beftting reception.
Il was intended that the city of Minneap-
oils should appear as corporation, back
ed by all her people, and that it should be
a Minneapolis event. Then the PROPOSE
ton came, as Mr.. Willard signifed tlfat his
party would not be able under their ar
rangements to accept the hospitality of
both Minneapolis and st. Paul, that the
two cities join in giving banquet at Ho-
tel Lafayette. This was generally agreed
to, and the st. Paul city authorities acted
from this standpoint and rejected all offers
of aid from its chamber of commerce ex-
cept as private citizens. Individuality
was to be kept in the background, and the
two great cities OF the northwest were to
appear upon the scene of rejoicing as
units-that was the understanding.
/ Now look at the following from W. ..
Washburn's letter to Mayor O'Brien, of ST.
Paul: "Ihe joint committees of the
chamber OF commerce and board of trade
Of Minneapolis have to-day appointed a
subcommittee composed of,;' etc.
There was not a member of the city gov
ernment on that committee. Then Mr.Wash-
burn goes on to say that they ''are directed
TO confer with your committee with refer
ence to its joint banquet etc. President
Pillsbury was not on that committee and
how ho came to give proxy for q posi-,
ton he did not hold remains a mystery.
Was this committee properly constituted
and authorized to act for the city council
which took the initiative as representatives
Of the people for the city's celebration of
a great public event? Some people have
great faculty of getting to the front
before they are invited. Then it was as
serted on the train going down to St.
Paul that the proposition was to down
Ames and Glenn in the arrangements"
1t will, 1 hope, be observed that Mime
apolis did not get snubbed; but some of
our citizens did.
have in my possession an official COM
munication from Mayor O'Brien in which
he says: "Our executive committee of the
common council will assemble at any time
You may Indicate for conference with aAy
committee of your common council which
you may appoint"
Here, fellow citizens, you have the whole
situation in nutshell.TI have resented an
insult offered and intended your executive
and city council while acting in yeur be-
half, have only done what 1 would do
again under the circumstances.
1t Goes. me good to step down and
chastise presumptueus people occasional
iy, and on these occasions if the dignity of
the Office I hold suffers thereby 1 shall
apologize to you and not to my personal
enemies.
Now, one word about the proposed street
| display of our local industries on the oc-
casion of the arrival of the Willard party.
l have neither by word nor act refused to
aid in bringing about such an event nor
have ] been asked to to take q hand in;
nor have declined to serve on any com
mittee. My enemies have sought to con-
7ey the impression that I am opposed to
the proposed local celebration and display.
On the contrary I am II favor of it and
have been from the time it was first men
toned, and l propose to do all in my
power TO make it a grand success.
4. 4. AMEs.