The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-25
CAPT. PURSE WELCOMED.
TIE BOARD OF TRADES REoEP-
TON TO IrS PRESIDENT.

Tells of ais Western Trip and the
Results He Accomplishsd-TheM Mem
bers OF the Board Congratulate Him
Upon Bis Work.
Capt. D. g. Purse was rendered a rousinG
reception by the members Of the board Of
trade yesterday noon. The reception
was in the nature of surprise party.
Capt. Purse was not taken into the secret
until short time before the reception.
The members took this means OF de-
monstrating 10 Capt. Purse their apprecia-
ton of his work in behalf Of Savannah and
deep water in the west aud elsewhere.
Notice Of the event had been given the
members, and at u O'Clock there was quite
a representative gathering Of the business
men Of the city at the board of trade rooms.
Besides members OF the board there were
present Vice President Karow. Supt Merri-
hew and several members Of the cotton ex-
change; Col J. II. Estill Of the MORNING
NEWS; Mr.. P. A. Stovall, editor OF the Sa-
vannah Press; reporters OF the MORNING
News and the Press, Supt. Maxwell Of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. and
other invited guests.
Capt. Purse greeted each arrival with
hearty handshake. and received the glow
ing comments showered upon him with be-
coming modesty.
shortly after IL o'clock Vice President
Horace 4. Crane called for order, and the
members and guests were invited to be
seated. Mr.. Crane stated that the meeting
was to greet Capt. Purse and TO show the
appreciation Of bis work.
HIS WORK APPRxcIATED.
He assured Capt. Purse in a few words
that thu bara nf ha hoard rf Ia md
citizens generally fully appreciate his
work. He then yielded the floor to Capt
Purse. who was received with applause.
Capt Purse said: "Mr. Chairman and
gentlemen: When ! became interested Ia
this work, nothing was more foreign 10
my mind then the place am now occupy
ing. II successful in the effort the credit will
be due to the earnest, active and increasing
cooperation Of my able coadjutors OF the
executive committee appointed by the city,
TO the members OF the board OF aldermen
and 10 the members Of the board Of trade,
whose letters to our sister associations In
the west assisted to great degree Ia bring
ing about what has been accomplished II
seems surprising that in going through that
part Of the United States embraced in the
valley Of the Missouri river / found o sec
ton where Savannah is more largely known
for its famous cemetery than for
the Importance Of its commerce, and better
known by its great hotel than by its trade.
THE QUESTIONS HE WAS ASKED.
The questions was asked were as 20 our
climate, the character of our ancient build.
ings and the past history of the city. You
can imagine how Insignificant felt. They
had heard we had a magnificent hotel here
TO capture northern tourists in the winter,
and they place US on the same plane with
St. Augustine, as being merely winter re-
sort for northern invalids. In st.
St Joseph, Mo-, on opening an
lance to Savannah, New York and other
ports. l was dumfounded to find that
there was no such place as Savannah on the
map. A little streaked line indicated the
stream that divides Georgia and South
Carolina, and by means Of this was enabled
TO locate Savannah's position
THE WORK OF HIS TRIP.
Capt Purse then entered into a detailed
account Of his work in the west, beginning
at Sedalia. He considered the Endorsement
of the national farmers congress on'
of the greatest victories Of the figh
which IS being waged for deep water.
Other like interests were seeking recogni
tion and the hearty Endorsement OF Savan-
nah's effort was something 70 be proud Of
The improvement Of the Missouri river,
The irrigation OF the waste lands OF Col.
orado, and other movements were seeking
Endorsement in their efforts for govern
ment aid.
The Endorsement of the commercial bod
les OF the west was sought aud
obtained, and his chief work was
TO impress upon them the advan-
tages resulting from the improv ement
OF the Savannah harbor. The Endorsements
OF the farmers associations have also been
obtained, and with the agricultural and
the commercial bodies of the west nc
stranger argument could be asked in behalf
OF the movement.
THE ROUTE OF WESTERN TRADE.
Capt. Purse said that naturally the
trade of the west has trended Ia
the direction OF those great arteries oi
commerce, the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, and the idea had never
occurred to many people thai
by crossing those rivers they
would be able, with the modern systems Of
transportation, 70 reach the markets by q
much shorter and cheaper route. When
this fact was brought TO their attention theJ
readily acknowledged it. He found argu-
ments at Omaha and other places in the
fact that many of the largest merchants
were already ordering the greater porter
OF the shipments of fine goods from til,
northern markets via Savannah.
AN ENERGETIC PEOPLE.
Capt. Purse said he found the people Of
the west an energetic people. with educa
tional advantages equal to those OF the east
ern states. He found the question of educa
tion an all absorbing one with them
to which they looked for the settlement O
all disturbing questions. The bitter ami
mosities OF the past are fast passing ava,
and even in Kansas, the scene of the bloodI
contentious of thirty odd years ago, b
found democrat preferred as be6felloy
by the republicans to any other politica
stripe. They are ready and willing to link
their fortunes with this section In the de-
velopment Of this whole country.
WANT TO SHIP THIS WAY.
He found q desire to ship grail
through this port, and as an instance q
what could be done he found that a few
months ago an option had been taken b.
some parties in the west upon the elevator
Of the Central railroad at Savannah. bu
upon investigation they concluded tina
the depth of the Savannah rive
was not great enough for thei
purpose Capt. Purse said the
the merchants of the west have begun Z
figure upon rates via Savannah, and tn
time will not be long when the bulk &
their commerce would be through this Dor
and Savannah trade will extend all through
out that section.
There was prolonged applause at the clos
Of Capt. Purses speech.
A DEEP WATER COLLATION..
When the applause had subsidized M
Crane invited the members of the boar