The Labor enquirer., 1884-08-02
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tf4Qe8 UNIONS Ot tno Guy W0to 1nvlS60 "
participate, and many members OF those
organisations availed themselves Of the
invitation. The central body Trades
AssemLly postponed its regular meeting |
To allow the delegates to enjoy them
selves on the occasion.
Two trains, enc at 8 o'clock and the
other at 8, left the Union depot on Sum
day morning. both being we'll crowded
with the excursionists, and when all had
arrived at Elizabeth there we're upwards
of one thousand on the grounds. The
scene at the depot was lively one. The
morning was bright and pleasant, and
the various excursions going out tover the
different roads, the good-natured shout
ing Of the ticket sellers, and the music
Of the band engaged by the knights Of
Labor committee, made the situation a
cheerful one and filled the air with happy
sound, which made the hard-worked
mechanic and laborer for the time forget
the weary and discouraging struggle for
existence.
The ride over the road was pleasant
and ingigorasing, and was made on both
trains without a drawback. with the
exception Of the loss of 9 few hats--a
necessary consequence Of excursions.
At the grounds the committee had
made every preparation for the comfort
and entertainment of their guests. The
dancing pavilion was conveniently ar
ranged and nicely shaded, and from II
o'clock a. m. till p. m. it was filled with
the merry dancers tripping the light
fantastic to the sweetstrains Of the First
Brigade Orchestral band. The floor
manager and his assistants were kept
rushing all day long attending to the
matters coming under their charge.
| The entertainment committee had
provided half dozen good swings, and
they fully carried out the announcements
in the way of foot-racine, including q
straight-away, a sack race and a fat mans
race. But the principal feature in their
line was the foot ball. Two of these
spheres, loaded with pure Colorado air,
were tossed out into the crowd early in
the day, and for six or seven hours there
was not moments intermission in the
| vigorous kicking which old men, young
men and boys administered to the bags
of wind. They kicked the balls over
the trees, into the refreshment stands,
into the dancing pavilion, into each
others faces and the Lord only knows
where. Noses were skinned, shins were
barked and hats mashed, but still the
fun went on, and there was never cross
word used It was remarked as phe-
nomenal that there should be SO much
tremendous kicking and still not a
"kick.n
The great combined refreshment and
lunch stand did land-ofice business all
day long and, although baggage car full
of substantial and wet goods were trans
ferred to the grounds from the first train,
with the exception Of few cases Of
soda .'pop,s not a thing was left to bring
home, and some of the departments were
completely cleaned out by the middle of
the afternoon Not drop Of intoxicat-
| ing goods was sold on the grounds, and
the refreshment stand was attended BY
about an equal number Of gentlemen
and lovely ladies. The reason for the
success Of, this department land the
principal secret of the success of the
whole affair." lay in the fact that every
thing sold was put at the price, charged
| in the city, and the usual robbing
schemes INDUCED in at picnics were not
! to be seen here. Everybody praised the
| quality of the goods sold and expressed
surprise at the reasonableness of the
prices charged.
About Z o'clock the weary excursion
lists climbed into the double train, which
stood all day upon the side track at the
station, and tucked themselves In for q
Icool ride home. There was singing and
chatting and doing all the way home,
and though most t>of the crowd were tired
and tagged out, yet You could not 60 any
where in the big train without hearing
continued expressions of pleasure aud
praise of the day and its doings.
It would not be right to close report
of this ENJOYABLE affair without saying
something of the handsome manner in
which the committee and their guests
were treated by the officials Of the road.
Colonel Fisher and Mr., Taylor were
especially kind in accommodating from
the day the arrangement was first made
until the close of the day of the picnic,
and in making the final settlement with
them the committee has been treated
with the fullest consideration and the
most scrupulous kindness.
The whole affair was perfect success
in all respects, and the Knights of Labor
of this city have gained the reputation
as the givers of picnic par excellence.
Military Versus Labor Organisations.
Editor Labor Enquirer.