Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-22
Twenty-Five of Pittsburg's Best Men
Will Ask for the National Re-
publican Convention.
THEY WILL START THIS EVENING.
Congressman John Dalzell Will Be the
Spokesman for the Iron City
Delegation.
lBLE TO ACCOMMODATE ALL VISITORS.
The Solid Business Men of the City Come Out Openly
for the Project

ask OF the Republican National Committee,
which meets tomorrow morning, that the
next National Convention of the party be
held in Pittsburg. Hon. John Daizell will
go as the spokesman for this city. A de-
cision TO that effect was made at ameeting in
Common Council chamber yesterday after
noon. The committee has been named, and
nearly all the members have signifed their
intention TO go and the transportation has
been arranged so that the party will start
on the b. & O., this evening at $50 and
arrive in Washington several hours before
the scheduled meeting of the National Com
nittee tomorrow morning
A strong impetus was given to the move
ment fer Pittsburg at yesterdays meeting,
and it looks now as if her prospects were as
bright as those of any candidate in the
field. About 80 people were expected, but
fully 200 were present during the meeting,
including a number of leading politicians
and business men who had not previously
shown any interest in the matter. The gen.
tlemen who have been doing the hustling
were quick TO take advantage of the new
comers and resolution was adopted which
made everyone in the hall members of the
Citizens Committee
Senator Finn, C. L. Magee, Senator
Mech, Collector Warmcastle, W. A Magee.
Y Colonel John Ewing and Major A. NJ.
Brown were among the attendants, and in
conversation relative to the convention, ex-
pressed themselves not only heartily in
favor of it, but that there was little doubt
but that Pittsburg could secure the plum if
an effort was made. Said Senator Finn:
Pttsburg Could Entertain the People.
There is no good reason in the world
why Pittsburg could not entertain the Ma
tional Convention and all the visitors that
come with it. We could easily raise $780, 600,
or even more if the convention were as
sured us. There would be no trouble about
getting a hall large enough for the meeting,
and we could feed and provide beds for
everybody"
C /. Magee here interrupted: eff the
Exposition is too small it would be an easy
matter to build an extension to it, and it
wouldn't cost much. DO think we can
get the convention? Certainly. What's
10 hinder US if we go after it. We can do
like Chicago does. Promise the money and
raise it when wanted. People won't SUBJ
scribe money until the matter is settled
As for our accommodations, we are the best
equipped in regard to hotels of any of the
Western applicants, much better than Gin
cinnati or 81. Louis and while the other
Western fellows are fighting over it we can
10 in as dark horses-smoked horses, /
might say-and carry off the prize as COM
promise
Suppose we haven't hotel room enough
10 give everyone bed to himself" inter-
posed Senator Neeb, ''look at the number
of people that can be accommodated in
sleeping coaches in our big railroad yards.
Why, they could provide room for several
armies. We could put several hundred cots
ii the old postoffice building. besides, and if
YOU SIT down and think over it there are
many places Just as available"
William W'itherow, proprietor of the
Hotel Duquesne also gave some facts in
support of the statement that Pittsburg can
aIA vide comfortably for anv big convention.
Business Men Stay Away.
MEN from abroad, said he, won't come
here on business while the convention is in
progress and the regular hotel guests will
leave them temporarily. That is the ex-
perience of Chicago hotel men, The regular
[hN>AS NpA Cdit W DS SuuJCCltu " jlle
noise and confusion in the building, so they
90 away and visit friends until it is all over
Business and travelling men won't come at
that time because they don't like to risk a
failure to get good bed. The seven or
eight leading hotels downtown could pro-
vide nearly 200 sleeping rooms, and then
the rapid transit roads make the big hotels in
the East End accessible. There are nearly
100 smaller hotels to be considered. ALLIE
rheny can accommodate a great many peo-
,.le. too beside a large number of visitors
viii be cared for by acquaintances living
and having their own homes here. New
York or Chicago. in my opinion, are the
only places named that could take care of
the crowd any better than Pittsburg, and 1
have given the matter a great deal of con-
sideration.
Somebody interested in having the con-
Eention here has figured that the restaur-
hnts around town, exclusive of hotels, are
feeding 10000 people daily and could
fouble their capacity if necessary. Old
City Hall could be turned into a restaurant
where thousands more could be fed.
But to return TO yesterdays meeting.
When it opened the conservatism of Pitts
burg men was the most noticeable feature
Robert Pitcairn occupied the Chairman's
desk and explained the object of the gath
erInT Tor the beneht OF those who had not
attended previous meetings. In his con-
else manner Mr.. Pitcairn stated the neces-
sitv for quick, decisive action if Pittsburg
was to demand the convention. Secretary
I. j. Keenan, read resolution adopted by
the special committee on Friday, declaring
Pittsburg's ability to accommodate the con-
vention, as well as her ability to raise the
necessary funds and provide all the hotel,
railroad and telegraph facilities that could
be required.
Starting Full of Enthusiasm.
On motion to adopt this resolution vari-
ous gentlemen ventured few common
place remarks which created no enthusiasm
gntil Chairman Pitcairn warmed the Jackets
Of those who had been invited and had
tailed to attend, as well as those present
and failing to become enthused. His re-
marks were caustic, but they were Just
what was needed. Men were brought to
their feet to defend the people from the &C
cusation of lukewarmness. 1t was conserv-
atism. they said. Only start the ball roll
inr. show the men of Pittsburg that the
convention was desirable and possible and
the money and enthusiasm necessary would
early be obtained.
why" exclaimed Controller Morrow,
in the midst of a speech, when we held
our International Sunday School Conven-
tion last wear it was Just like this in the be-
ginning. but the moment we secured the
promise Of the convention and got down to
work the money rolled in and we had more
than we needed"
IL IL &rvnfr MO rr1l