St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-08
G. A. r.. ENcANrPMENT.

The Great 1nnuaE Meeting MOTTO be Fail
ule-The City Stirred APP on the Subject
! Chanbe, of Commerce and Board OF
Trade Proceedings
| The situation concerning the outlook for
the G. A r. national encampment occupied
the attention of the chamber of commerce
Yesterday morning. The refusal of the rail-
roads and especially the Milwaukee road to
! contribute what was expected towards de-
! fraying the expenses has had the effect OF
embarrassing the project and in view OF this
the following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted.
WHEREAS, At meeting of the Grand Army of
| the Republic held last year at Denver, Col, by
invitation of some of onr citizens, who mem
bers, after having had consultation with our state
| and city officials and prominent citizens, ex-
tended the invitation to the organization to hold
It's next meeting this year, in Minneapolis
which WAS accepted and the meeting is to be
/ held here the last of the present month; and
WHEREAS, At the meeting last year some of
the subordinate officers of the railroads termin-
ating here, and over which the great number of
the members must pass to reach this city, gave,
as inducement, strong encouragement that
the roads would contribute towards the expense
| if the meeting vas decided to be held here, and
which the roads, 1t would seem, could well
afford to do; and
WAEREAs, 1t has been reported to this board
of trade by some of our prominent citizens, who
are members Of committees of the local organi-
cation of the Grand Army, and who have charge
of the arrangements, who have had consultation
with the officials of the railroads. south and east,
! that they decline to contribute toward the
expense of entertaining the visitors which are
to be present from every state in the Union;
and
WHEREAS, Our citizens are willing to cheer
fully contribute literally for the necessary ex-
penses, which must be very large from thirty to
| forty thousand dollars), and who are TO receive
personally no pecuniary benefit whatever, while
the railroads, at the reduced rate of fare to
the members and friends of the Grand Army, will
receive vast sum for transportation, and can
we'll afford TO contribute literally to the expense
which must necessarily be incurred to entertain
great number; and
WHEREAS, 1t is well known to all railroad Of
icials that ever at a low rate the net profits on
large numbers transported is very large, and no
railroad sharing in the benefits can afford to be
liberal toward those who saved the country, or
toward those who are to entertain them: there
fore
Res0Eced By this board of trade, that the pres
idents and general managers of the roads which
are to bring and return such vast numbers, be
earnestly and respectfully invited and requested
to contribute literally toward the expense OF en-
tertainment Of the members while here.
ReSoyUed That while this board is fully aware
of the late depreciation in the value of railroad
property, and the decrease in the earnings OF
some roads, it rejoices in the prospect of boun-
tiful harvest, which, when ready to move, Will
not only restore but greatly increase the earnings
of all raads sharing in the transportation.
ReS0tged, That though business is at present a
little depressed the roads will not be justified in
Withholding from this especial business all the
profits they will receive, to make up the general
depression, as this is entirely extra and clear
profit over any other business, and the slight in
creased expenses.
ReSOIUed, That a copy of this preamble and
resolutions be signed by the president and secre-
tary of this board and forwarded to the presidents
and general managers Of all roads (Which have
not already paid or subscribed) and respectfully
| request an immediate answer.
A general discussion followed the adoption
Of the resolutions.
Secretary Hale stated that President Alex
ander Mitchell, of the Milwaukee road, had
been sick and that the management of the
road had been in charge of Hugh Miller, "a
young man in the business" who probably
did not care to assume the responsibility of
making contribution.
Geo. A. Bracket believed that the citizens,
board of trade and chamber of commerce
fund sufficient to pay all expenses.
Mayor Pllsbury thought the citizens of
Minneapolis should come to the front in the
emergency and should contribute so liber-
ally that SO important an event would re-
sound to the credit of Minneapolis and not
admit to the possibility of failure
In responce to a request from Capt Babb
Capt j. X. Rea gave an estimate as to the
| amount of money which will be needed. He
thought ut least $50, 900 would be needed,
and only 81, 500 has been subscribed so far.
At least $4,000 people can be. ex-
pected, coming from every state
moth Of Mason & Dixons line. While at the
national encampment at Denver last year there
were two general passenger agents of the Mil
waukee road enceayorng to have the encamp-
ment this year held at Minneapolis, giving the
ASSURANCE that the railroad company, if such
should be the case, would contribute literally
towards defraying the expense.
John De Laittre thought the G.. A, r. should
not become discouraged too soon, and favored a
systematic canvass of the city by wards.
Judge Atwater said that from statements
made by the G. A. r. finance committee he
understood that no united canvass had been
made. and until they have done something
in that line their coming before the board
was Il little premature.
DR.. Evans and C. p Stevens believed the
G. A. r. were doing the proper thing in com
ing before the board.
c. A. Nimocks offered the following, which
was adopted.
CLEANING THE STREETS.
In view of the fact that thousands Of
strangers will visit our city during the en-
campment of the G.. A. R., July 81, it is
hereby
RESOLVED, That every citizen be requested TO
cooperate with the city in cleaning up and put
ting in good order the streets adjoining their
property; that the grass all lawns be cut; that
all refuse matter be removed from yards, and
that all sidewalks and fences pc put in good or
der. That arrangements at once be made to de-
corate with our national colors every street. and
that the American flag be raised over or suspend
ed from every block, store, mandatory, resi-
deuce and cottage In the entire city during the
encampment, in honor of the noble defenders of
the old flag.
IN response to the question as to who in
vitcd the grand army here, the minutes were
referred to, which show that June ), 1872, d.
NJ. Gilmore was granted permission to ask
the G.. a. r., at their meeting at Baltimore,
to come to Minneapolis the next year. They,
however chose to go to Denver, and at Den
yer elected 10 come here this yea{.
The chair appointed Mayor Pillsbury and
Messrs. Wyman, DeLaittre, Stevens and
Dale as a committee to confer with the cham
Der of commerce for the purpose of securing
united action in relation to this matter. The
board then adjourned.
A CONFERENCE WITH THE BOARD OF TRADE.
comnitsee of the board of trade at II
O'Clock called upon the chamber. Mayor
Pillsbury stated the case suceinctly. The
railroads centcring at Minneapolis, outside
of the st. Paul, Minneapolis II Manitoba
roads, had formed pool aud had refused to
contribute to the expense of the eneamp-
meut. The board of trade had appointed
committee, and the chamber should appoint