The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-09
CONVENTION OF GAS MEN
A THREE DAYS SESSION AT THE DE
SOTO NEXT MONTE

sented-The Full Measure of savan-
nah Hospitality to Be Extended the
Delegates and Their Ladies-A Mag
nificent Banquet. an Excursion Down
the River and Carriage Drives on the
Programme-Not Less Than $50
Visitors Expected.
As the time approaches for the conven-
ing in this city, at the De- Soto hotel, on
wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Oct. Is,
10 and II, Of the annual convention of the
American Gas Light Association, much To-
cal interest is felt ia the gathering.
Mr.. David Douglas, president Of the
Mutual Gas Light Company of this city.
which will take a leading part in making
the visitors feel at home in the Forest City,
in an interview with MORNING News re-
porter yesterday, gave quite an interesting
resume Of the programme 50 far as decided
upon. Mr.. Douglas says the association
consists Of the managers. engineers and SUI
perintendents of gas manufacturing estab-
hshments and manufacturers of
gas appliances and apparatus
in all the principle cities of the United
States and the Canadas, having a member
ship Of nearly 600. The president of the
association is E immersion Mcmillan, who is
at the head Of the gas light interest in st.
Louis, and the secretary is Mr.. Q. ]. R.
Humphreys of Lawrence. Mass.
| ALL BIG CITIES REPRESENTED.
About $50 members are expected to be
present at the convention, and all parts of
the country will be represented. Gentle
men will come from San Francisco, Omaha,
Chicago and other western cities; from
Toronto, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax in
Canada; in the north, from Boston, New
York, Philadelphia and Baltimore,
and from New Orleans and other
cities in the south Nearly all the principal
.cities will be represented. Some Of them
will be men of large wealth and high
standing in their communities, and as a
body they will represent a high intellectual
| and business average. The combined bust
ness under their management represent an
immense amount of capital
The nature of their avocation brings
them naturally into close contact with the
residents Of their respective cities, and 1t
becomes Of consequence, therefore, that
everything should be done to create in the
minds of every one of their visitors q good
impression of Savannah, not only as
bright, cheerful and pleasant residence
city, but also that its business advantages
be in every way displayed-for their benefit
so that when they return to their respec-
tive homes they will carry away not only
pleasant recollections Of happy time spent
here, but feel ready to speak a favorable
| word toward any BUSINESS project which
may affect Savannah.
| SAVANNAH SHOULD SECOND THE WELCOME.
The Mutual Gas Light Company of
Savannah, said Mr.. Douglas, Is determined
| to do its part in making tue occasion a sue
cess, but there is plenty of room for the as
sistance Of the influential citizens of Savan-
nah to make sure of it.
Mr.. Douglas says that it is expected that
a considerable number Of ladies will accom-
pany the convention on their trip south,
and their entertainment, while the gentle
men are engaged in the transaction Of the
business OF the convention is equally as i'm
portant as consideration of the mem be rs
themselves.
For the purpose OF entertaining this large
party Messrs. Watson q Powers have ar
ranged to open the De Soto on Oct. ID, three
weeks earlier than they had originally IN
tended, AMI they will make special efforts
to have every department in the highest
state of efficiency.
THE PROGRAMME IN PART.
Mr. Douglas was asked if the programme
had yet been decided upon, and he replied
that it has not entirely been settled yet
The convention, he says, is to be welcomed
to the city by the mayor and aldermen and
other officials and gentlemen on the morn
ing Of Oct. Is "Wednesday In the banquet
room at the De Soto. Meanwhile committee
Of Savannah ladies will give a welcome to
the visiting ladies of the association in the
parlors. These formalities having been
disposed of, the association will proceed to
its regular business, which will include the
reading and discussion of papers relating to
the gas business, election Of officers. ETC.
Carriages neing at tue doors, the ladies and
such of the Savannah gentlemen as can
spare time will be driven to
places of interest throughout the city
On the afternoon of the same day the ladies
will hold reception in the parlors to all
members of the association and to their
friends in Savannah. At this reception in
Productions will be made and acquaintance
ships formed. After the regular hotel
dinner, theater tickets having been previous
lye ngaged, parties will go there, while posi-
bly, others will visit some of our Savannah
homes Cobb's band and perhaps some of
our colored minstrels will entertain such in
the rotunda of the hotel do not care TO 20
| out.
A MAGNIFICENT BANQUET.
On the second day, drive by the ladies
and their friends to Bonaventure and Thun-
derbolt is contemplated, and on their re-
| turn, ladies' luncn VIII be provided.
On the evening of this day the Mutual Gas
Light Company will entertain all the mem
bers of the association at magnificent ban
quet in the dining room of the De Soto
which is expected to be the grandest affair
of the kind yet given in Savannah. A
guarantee of at least 275 guests has been
made to Messrs Watson & Powers, but 500
or more are expected to be present. The
lessees of the De Soto are under contract to
furnish as fine dinner as can be given in
the United States, and Mr.. Douglass says
there is no doubt but they will fill the con-
tract. The banquet hall will be handsomely
decorated with palms and other tropical
and sub-tropioal plants and flowers, and
the tables laid and furnished with
everything that art and fancy combin ed
can suggest to make them beautiful. Music
will be furnished by Cobb's orchestra, the
Magnolia quartette, and by the best vocalists
of the city. Handsome bouquets for each
guest will be at every plate. The menu
cards, especially designed and engraved, are
expected to be something unique. A con-
siderable number of Savaunah's prominent
citizens will be invited to the banquet, and
some of Savannahs gifted orators will be
down for speeches on the toast list.
AN EXCURSION DOWN THE RIVER.
On the third day the 17th) Of the meeting
1t is proposed to have an excursion down the
II