Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-14
RESOLUTIONS TO RESUME
Adopted by Many Business Men, Upon
the Promise of Hastings,
WHILE DENUNCIATION is CHOKED
And HOWls Against the Governor Are
Drowned by Better Sentiments.
ONE VERY SIGNIFICANT GATHERING
rFRoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT? ?

JoHNsTowN, June la-Out Of the wreck of
the fallen buildings. out of the ashes of mag
nihcent structures, and, peeping up overlook
ing the surrounding country, Johnstown will
rise again to become one of the most flourish
ing little cities in Pennsylvania. What
is considered to be the first step
toward rebuilding the city and surround
ing boroughs was taken this afternoon,
at a meeting held in the Pennsylvania Railroad
freight station. Since the food, nobody has
had time to do anything save alleviate the dis
tress of those who suffered by the bursting of
the dam, and clear up the debris of the town.
What they intended to do for private resi-
ldences and business stands, nobody apparently
cared until Adjutant General Hastings took
the matter in hand
The General, who is now working harder
than ever before to supply the wants of the
people, issued a call this morning for meeting
of the business men and merchants of the place
to determine what they were gong to do in re-
gard to resuming business At the meeting it
was decided to Immediately proceed with the
work of erecting temporary places of business
and habitation. The lumber which will be
donated by Eastern lumber men will be shipped
tomorrow, and. by Monday, the new wooden
buildings will be well under way. The meeting
was called to order by General Hastings, who
said:
THE GENERAL s SPEECH.
GENTLEMEN-I have called you together this
afternoon for the purpose of advising with you
about what is best for the future Of the merchants
of Johnstown and vicinity. l may say to you
that have been directed to proceed with the
vnrE af 81. 7
contracts now with four different contractors,
which cover the entire area. They promised
me this morning that they would have
about 2 600 men at work to-day. 1 will have
report from them this evening. The
State has directed to clean up your streets and
clean out the drift at the bridge and want to
sure you the work will progress as rapidly and as
vigorously as It can properly be done. Our first
object will be to clean up your thorough
fares so that you can get at your places
of business. Whether or not the State
will authorize me to do more than
that and 70 clean out the cellars that the foun
dations will be ready to put the houses again,
do not know, but do know that the enterprise of
the people of the country is sufficient to meet any
need, and think the best thing for the business
people Of Johnstown to do is to begin TO look
ahead toward the resumption Of business to begin
business again.
Now, to give the thought in nv mind practical
shape, II there are among you business men here
assembled who desire TO resume business and will
you toward that end will communicate with the
proper channels in order to see if VIC can't get
you what you need TO put you on your feet again.
NO NEED FOR HUNGER.
We have all the relief here that is necessary;
there is no necessity for anybody going without
meal, and, If anyone in Johnstown or vicinity
goes to bed hungry or without shelter it is his or
her own fault. The organization we have now, to
supply food and clothing, is near complete as
we make it. and, fanny citizen is suffering for
want Of relief he has only to make it known; and
he need onlv make it known once 1t will be the
fault Of every man, woman and child here who
proper shelter.
am anxious to see Johnstown begin to have
confidence enough in herself to resume her own
government. You have noticed no deputy sheriffs
point here. There are no places where persons
are prevented from going through the town: there
IS no martial law; the troops are here to see that
Tested, and to prevent the vandals and sightseers
To@P 1TSm gTns your ss pon in
;STe Da b here for me, and Tu that they win DO
with your local government; we want you to re-
sumo your own town council, appoint your own
did before That is what we are anxious to have
you do. There is no martial law, no military
law, as L said before. We have only the
troops here necessary to keep the vandals out.
HIS PRACTICAL SUGGESTION.
Now, gentlemen, in order 10 put this matter in
acted upon is this: Understand that you are all
merchants. Ifyou are willing to go back again
ana resume business, would like to know it: and
lfyou are l will call upon certain parties in the
East TO furnish to you the lumber and the
building material necessary for you to put
up at least temporary structures, IN which to be-
gin business over again; and, although have no
positive assurance TO this effect, believe we can
get you the necessary building material very
shortly. have word from large number of
merchants in Pittsburg who are not only willing
but anxious to come here and provide you with
stock to set up in business again, IL you want to
l trust you, and will wait upon you until this
charity can take some definite and tangible shape.
] don't think you gentlemen want to sit still and
wait until some regular distribution of assistance
is made II you can get the lumber;
the merchants will come to you and Will pro-
vide You with stock. i would like to know
whether that viii suit you, and whether that Is
the best method OF procedure. only suggest this
ina crude way, because l would like TO know
what you have to say on the subject.
RESOLUTIONS AND A SCoRCHER.
Colonel John P. Linton, the well-known at
torney said although his property was com.
pletely wiped out, he was ready to resume bust.
ness again. He said:
] thank God for the new regime which taught
men to help themselves. While we are deeply
grateful for the change in the government think
1t is the duty Of officers to take charge Of our
civil government. / am grateful beyond ex-
preston that General Hastings has announced
this action. feel sure that many citizens will be
deeply grateful for his efforts, ana it only re-
ouires united action part to bring us out of
the slough of despond. The resumption of work
in the factories ETC., in this vicinity will enable
the people TO do this.
General Hastings suggested that Colonel
Linton prepare a set of resolutions embodying
the views of the people Of Johnstown regard
ing their intentions.
Colonel Linton said that his law Office pen,
paper, ETC., had been carried of by the flood,
and be had not the material at hand to get up
the resolutions.
General Hastings stenograpber jumped upon
q table and took down the following dictated
resolutions:
Resolved, That the merchants and business men
Of Johnstown. assembled at the request Of Adju-
tant General Hastings, having listened with graft
hcation to his remarks agree to secure as rapidly
as possible the resumption OF business, and to fur
nish the community all the provisions required.
Resolved, further, That each merchant and busi-
ness man in Johnstown his best efforts to re-
store by HIS own exertons his prosperity and that
Of the community at large.
Resolved, That the business men and merchants
Of Johnstown tender their hearty thanks to Adju-
tant General Hastings for his kindly suggestions
siAnd denounce Governor Beaver!'' exclaimed
a half dozen men, but the action was quickly
frowned down by General Hastings.
Colonel Linton then put the motion, and
amid wild outburst of cheering, it was car
ried. Mr.. Caldwell one of the Oldest merchants
in town, said he had placed an order this morn
ing for new stock of goods and intended to
resume business Immediately He was fol-
lowed by quite a number of merchants, who
voiced the general sentiment. Mr.. Martin, a
storekeeper Of Cambria City. said:
We are now on a basis Of home government, our
business men opening their doors and are now
ready TO do business.
A young man named Carpenter said he for
merly kept a restaurant, prior to the food, and
would reopen his place as soon as he got it
, cleaned out General Hastings replied: THAT