The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-05-05
TWO HOURS OF TALK.
Speeches Sarcastic and Otherwise.
Practical Remarks from J. C. Trullinger

i
evening. The Western Amateur band
paraded through the principal streets
fiinging fine music far and wide.
By eight o'clock there was a general
expectancy manifest on the faces of all
present, when Capt. J. H. d. GRAY
called the meeting to order.
He suggested Sam'l Elmore for
president: Mr. Elmore declined: G.
J. Trenchard nominated J. H. D.
Gray, who was elected by acclama-
tion: G. J. Trenchard was elected Sec
retary.
The chairman invited several to
come up on the stage. There was
considerable of a collection of busi-
ness men In the rear of the auditorium,
about half a dozen coming forward.
Capt. Gray said he supposed the
object Of the meeting was to devise
ways and means to assist in building
up the city: he thought times were
dull, and he didn't believe that bust
ness was good. The question had
been discussed as to calling a meet
ing to discuss measures of public
interest. The first idea was to get
people out, to get them together and
have them compare views.
The chamber of commerce had done
a good deal, but was hampered in its
work by the difficulty of securing ac-
tive membership. The question was
how to assist business men in building
up Astoria. Everything was booming
and prosperous elsewhere. Why
haven't we prosperous times. We have
superior location, but we do not pros
per IN proportion to our advantages.
At this jnucture there was call for
S. Elmore. Hesaid was in an awkward
position: he didn't know the reason
or object of the meeting. Astoria
needs booming, but he thought the
chamber of commerce was only a
mutual admiration society that did
nothing except sit around and look at
itself There were real estate men
who were holding big blocks of prop
erty at high price. As for him he
would do all he could to help things
along, and if everybody else did as
much We would have big boom.
Mayor Page was then called for.
He said that he was present in re-
sponse TO call without signature,
a call of which he knew nothing as
to the source from which it emanated
or what it was for. He thought that
all enterprises should go ahead and
be encouraged. Some individual en-
terprises had failed because of lack of
brains, or lack of money, or both:
he had done all he could do to help
things along and would continue to
do so.
He didn't know anything about this
meeting: those present might pass a
resolution raising the price of fish on
the Gamers, or the price Of logs on
the sawmill men, or if anybody
wanted to assist him in his pri-
vate business he would thankfully re-
ceive whatever they saw fit to bestow
upon him. The secretary Of the cham
ber of commerce didn't know anything
about this meeting, how could it ben
eft the town: we might go and pray
to God Almighty to send us big run
of fish: we might buy more grub from
merchants and thus spend more money
or do anything else we could think of
to help things along. If we had come
together to further politics it might
have some sense, but as business
proposition the meeting was of no
avail. Assessments are high, but when
men die it is found that they have
more property than they were assessed
for. The mayor then asked his aud
ience what they were going to do there
in that meeting.
Have you any propositions"
YES" said Gray, ''let us form a
stock company to build q railroad. How
much will you take?"
"a thousand dollars" said Page, "if
you will take and pay for another
thousand"
Il haven't that much money here"
said Gray.
Neither have L" said Page.
The mayor then went into the his
tory of the Clatsop road and construc-
ton company, and drew the conclu-
sion that the apathy exhibited in
that enterprise argued poorly for the
probable success of the railroad. II
booms had such an effect on Astoria
as on Los Angeles, San Diego and
other places he would rather see the
boom stay away.
He was willing to aid and work
with any scheme or plan to help things
along.
The band played tune and livened
things up little.
Then G. w. Fulton, being called for
came forward. Capt. Gray said he
was surprised to hear such a speech
from the mayor of the city: there was
no politics or private feeling in the
meeting: he was candidate for the
custom house, but if Astoria didn't
improve some he didn't want the
place: he thought landholders and
others should aid progress instead of
appearing to want to retard it.
c. W. Fulton then made some re-
marks. He hadn't yet heard of any
suggestions but would like to hear
some from somebody. He was will
ing to stand in with the crowd: if they
thought it would be well to move the
town to Tanzy Point: all right: he
had no fault to find with Astoria: it
suited him; he thought the town was
all right: probably if he had the su.
preme regulation of things there were
a few that he would like to regulate
but, probably those few entertained
the same idea about him, so it was 6
stand-off.
We ought to improve our oppor,
tunities even If we didn't get up an
Ocklahoma boom. The location is al