, 1883-08-25

it was announced that a mass meet
ing would be held in Cannon's Hall
Wednesday evening for the purpose
Of making some arrangements for
celebrating the driving Of the last
spike on the Northern Pacific rail-.
road, and comforting together rs to
the most feasible mode of receiving
and entertaining the eXcursiOnists
should they see fit to make Spokane
Falls a visit. People do not seem to
take as much interest in this matter
as its importance deserves, and as
late as s o'clock only small number
of persons had assembled at the hall,
although the crowd was made up Of
representative citizens. The meet
ing was called to order. L. II. jam
ieson elected Chairman and b. II.
Bennett, Secretary. The Chair called
upon Mayor Glover who responded
by explaining the situation and in
forming the audience what had been
done at a meeting of the Council. J.
J. Browne said that some immediate
action should be taken, particularly
to learnat what time the party would
arrive, and if they intended to linger
any length Of time, and the only way
to arrive at an understanding was to
telegraph President Willard, extend
ing the hospitalities Of the city, and
asking for the desired inform ltiOn.
In response to Il question he further
stated that Prof. Tiernan had re-
cieved u letter from +. V. Smalley,
who had charge Of the editorial dele
cation, and That gentleman promised
that the ink slingers at least would
tarry long enough to view the city
and falls. To expediate business
Mr.. Browne moved that the Chair ap-
point a committee of five, to act with
the Committee appointed by the
City Council, with full power to COM
municate with Mr.. Willard and make
such arrangements as they might
deem necessary. The motion pre-
vailed and the Chair appointed J. J.
Browne, Prof. J. NJ. Tiernan, DIR. b.
F. Burch, DIR. q. S. Allison and
Frank NJ. Dallam, as such commit
tee. Mr.. Browne suggested that a
second committee should be appoint
ed for drafting an appropriate pre-
amble and resolutions to be forward
ed to Mr.. Willard. Z. ]. Webster
responded in a brief and timely
speech. He spoke Of the rare and
important ceremony, comparing it
with the interest manifested in the
driving Of the last spike on the
Union Pacific road, and thought it
would mark an epoch in the history
Of the Northwest. The party about
to visit the country was made up of
the leading men not only of the East
but also Of Europe, and their report
upon the appearance and general
prospects of the territory would carry
great weight in the communities in
which they reside. Particularly was
1t important that Spokane Falls
should extend hearty welcome to
the party, holding the proud posi-
ton as it does Of being the leading
station on the rOid from Portland to
east Of the Rocky Mountains. II the
entire party could not be induced to
stop over here, by all means have
the editorial train halt long enough to
allow the travellers an opportunity Of
seeing our beautiful and growing
city. Looking at it in a mercenary
light alone and the benefits accruing
from such visit would repay any
expense we might go to a thousand
fold. He thought the committee
appointed should attend to the resO-
lutiOns, and that at once, as time was
precious. NJ. Thompson was called
upon and he expressed his views
upon the Falls, among other things
saying that 1t was better known East
than any city in the Northwest. He
told Of unique reception rendered
Lord Dufferin upon his visit to Win
nepeg, at which he was present,
when Indians and other things Of a
local character were exhibited for
disbursement, and thought it would
not be bad idea to get up some
thing Of that kind here to surprise
the foreign visitors J. w. Binkley
was called upon and responded in a
few words, coinciding with others
in his views of celebrating upon the
occasion. After a few further re-
marks by a. NJ. Cannon, J. n. GLOW
er and J. ]. Browne, regarding the
possibility of the trains making halt
here, the meeting adjourned subject
to call of the Chairman.