Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-12
THE CITY'S PORTALS
To be Opened by Mayor Gourley to
the Patriotic Sons of America.
NEARLY A THOUSAND STRONG.
Discussions and Elections at the Three
Days Session.
INTERESTING PROGRAMME LAID OUT
"Are you a foreigner?"

"Are you foreigner?"
'No, SIR"
"Then walk right in. Ihave instructions
to keep out all foreigners" and the watch
full sentry obligingly allowed the inquirer
to pass through the portals of the parlqr at
the Central Hotel last night.
The room was decorated with the Ameri-
can flag and bunting. to typify the loyal
spirit of the Patriotic Order Sons OF
America. The Reception Committee held
sway within the apartment. The Committee
on Credentials occupied another room, and
long till after midnight the lower floors OF
the hostelry looked like the busy hive OF
industry mentioned by the poet.
Delegates were continually arriving, and
after all were in the city, the hotel registers
showed total of about 800 patriotic sons.
The Central was used as the headquarters
President James R. Kenney, of Philadel-
phia, and Vice President Henry S. Bissex,
from the same city, reached Plttsburg last
night and put up at that house.
Men wearing attractive badges gathered
in groups to discuss matters of pressing i'm
portance that will come up at the business
meetings of the society during the session in
Pittsburg.
LIVELY ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
This afternoon the election of new officers
will take place. No President has served
more than one term in the organization, but
there may be an exception in the case OF the
present incumbent of the Office. President
Kenney is popular with the order, and has
gained number of friends that will strive
to re-elect him.
The only campaign of special interest
that will be presented is the struggle for the
secretaryship. William Weand, a Phila-
delphian, has been recognized as an efficient
officer and honored with several terms, ex-
tending to six and half years, but this
year some other candidates are figuring on
the probable chances of defeating Mr..
Weand.
In a talk with various members it was
stated that delegates from Eastern Penn
sylvania and Philadelphia, the home of
Weand, are solid for his reelection. No
candidate from Pittsburg or Allegheny has
been brought forward, but some tall think
ing is being done to capture the Office
which has a comfortable fixed salary at
tached to it.
Said George 81. Hanksworth, a moving
spirit of the Patriotic Sons of America:
"The opposition will not succeed in defeat
ing Secretary Weand. He will win with
both hands down."
There is no race for the other offices. Vice
President Bissex and Treasurer 1. S. Smith
have served creditable terms, and, if ac-
ceptable to them, will be rendered with
reelection. 1t is likely that they will not
run and new men be chosen
WELCOME BY THE MAYOR.
All business will be conducted at the
Opera House during the ensuing session.
Mayor Gourley, in behalf of the city, will
welcome the members this morning at 9
o'clock. Ex-Mayor Kenney, of Reading,
will respond. The meeting will be taken
up with speeches, concluding with tne State
Presidents address. AT o'clock in the
afternoon the society will reconvene at the
Opera House. Reports of the State Secre-
tary and Treasurer will be considered first,
followed BY the election of officers,
Tomorrow an open meeting will be held
at o'clock in the evening. Prominent
members of the order will make addresses.
After the morning session on Thursday the
first parade of the organization ever held in
Western Pennsylvania will take place. In
the afternoon the steamboat Mayfower will
make trips every two hours to Windsor
Park, Davis Island Dam and McKee's
Rocks. Members and those presenting in
vitations free to the boat and grounds. On
Friday the general committee will entertain
officers, delegates and visiting members, and
show them all the various places of note
and interest-mills, glass factories, parks,
public buildings, etc.