The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-03
Proceedings of Annual Reunion
at Port Townsend.
BIG CLAM BARBECUE TO-DAY.
List of Pioneers in Attendance at
the Meeting.
A Proposition to Elect All the oficers
From One City Beaten-Eligibility
for Membership Defined by the Con-
stitution.

PoRr TOWNSEND, June Especial. T.
The Washington Pioneer Association met
In this city this morning, and will be in
session again today. In the absence ofthe
president, K. G. Ferguson, of Snohomish,
the forenoon meeting was called to order
by First Vice-President James G. Swan, of
this city. He suggested that the morning
business be put over TO the afternoon meet
ing, in view of the fact that large num-
Der of the association had not yet arrived,
and this was done. AT 2 O'Clock in the aft
ernoon the meeting was called to order by
President Ferguson. The session opened
with prayer by Rev. Mr.. Blaine. The roll
was called by Secretary Francis Henry, of
Olympia, after which the minutes of the
last meeting were read.
There being no regular business
Ferguson asked the indulgence of
the members while he suggested
that some effort ought to be made
to secure permanent home for the Pio-
neer Association. He had called atten-
tion to this matter at previous meetings,
he said, and desired now to again impress
1t upon the members as something worth
more than passing notice. Judge Jacobs
said it seemed to him that there should be
a requirement in the bylaws making it
necessary for the officers to all reside in
one place. Under the present manage
ment there is no system about the man
agement of the organization, simply
because the officers cannot or do
not get together and talk matters
over. If all the officers reside in one
town they can get together and consult
lot.
arises. Judge Swan supported Judge
Jacobs in this view. He was in favor of
electing all the officers from Seattle.
Hon. A. A. Denny wanted to see Judge
Swan elected president, and for this
reason was opposed to the selection OF
Seattle. Judge Swan said he appreciated
the honor Mr.. Denny would confer on
him, but would not accept the presidency
under any circumstances. Mr.. Eldridge
was against sectionalism. He was afraid
there would be charge of this kind
lodged against those taking part in the
present meeting if such change as had
been suggested was made. Judge Jacobs
said the trouble had been that the officers
got negligent after the meetings adjourned
and they did not think of their duties
until next meeting, and by that time there
were a great many things that should
have been attended to before.
Finally, on vote, the proposition to re-
uuire all the officers to live in the same
place was not adopted, the vote being 80
for to 10 against-not the required two
thirds majority.
Section / of the bylaws, making the
headquarters of the association at Olym-
pia and requiring the secretary to live
there, and also to keep all the records,
archives and relics there, came up for dis
cussion. 1t was finally stricken out alto
gether. The two following amendments to
the constitution were then read and re-
ferred to committee consisting of Thomas
Prosch. James G. Swan, Orange Jacobs.
Edward Eldridge and Jesse w. Gorge, who
reported recommending adoption, and it
was done by unanimous vote. The men,
bership article now reads:
All persons residing in the territory of Wash
ington prior to January l, 1860, and all members
of and persons eligible to membership in the
pioueer organizations of California, Oregon,
Idaho and British Columbia, and none other,
are eligible to become members of the associa-
ton Any resident citizen who has lived in the
territory or state of Washington twenty-one
years and upwards, not having the qualifications
specified in article 9, may, upon payment OF ~
admission fee and otherwise complying with
the requirements of the association, have the
privilege of participating in all the deilberatons
and social benefits except in the matter OF
voting and serving on committees at annual re-
unions. PAYMENT of such annual dues as are
chargeable TO other members shall be necessary
10 retain honorary membership in the associa-
tion.
The most important business of the
afternoon was the election of officers for
the ensuing year, and resulted as follows,
all the officers being unanimously elected:
d. I. Denny, Seattle, president; James G.
Swan. Port Townsend, first vice president;
Thomas Prather, Olympia, second vice
nresident; w. G. Latimer, Seattle, treas
urer. Charles Prosch, Seattle, secretary.
David Shelton and Edward Eldridge were
added to make the board of directors.
During the afternoon session Judge
Swan called attention to the fact that at
the meeting of the association last year in
Seattle it was urged that the legislature be
asked to provide for a proper celebration
of the anniversary of the discovery of the
Columbia river by Captain Robert Gray.
He said that although the legislature.
at ;ts last session had appropriated
500 900 for the Chicago Worlds fair it had
not even noticed the coming anniversary,
that was of much more interest TO the pio-
neers. and could be made of great practical
benefit to the state at large. In order to
Get this matter again before the people,
Judge Swan offered the following resolu-
tion and moved its adoption:
WHEREAS, The 1lth day of May, 1892, is the
centennial of the anniversary OF the discovery Of
the Columbia river by Captain Robert Gray,
which discovery gave 70 the United states the
great region OF Oregon, Washington and Idaho;
and
WHEREAS, But for this priority of discovery by
Csutain Gray over the discovery OF Great Britain
we would now be ander the English flag as q
province Of Great Britain; oe II therefore
Rssogred By the Pioneers OF washington, In
regular amt al meeting. that we consider II en-
inently right and proper that this great centen-
niai event be properly celebrated
ResolVed. That we consider that the proper
r,ethoo OF celebration OF this centennial is by
sair 70 be held at Vancouver, Wash, at which
esi- .hould be collected and displayed all the
,~odncts of this state which 70 be sent to the
Wor,d,s fair al Chicago and that the transcon-
tinentsl roads be requested to reduce rates OF
fare 10 persons desirous OF visiting our state
Rs.otcad. That committee OF pioneers, con-
sistiug of i've members, be appointed to confer
with any committee Of citizens who may be
selected or appointed by the governor to carry
the pIan of this centennial celeorstion into
effect.
Following is full list OF those in at
tendance at the meeting of the pioneer
association, giving their present residence
and the date Of their arrival on the Pacinc
coast: