Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-04
BOOMING THE CANAL.
The Americus Club Heartily Indorses
the Lake Erie Project.
A WELL-ATTENDED ANNUAL MEET
Views of That Political Organization on the
Present Situation.
GREAT INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP

The annual meeting of the Americus
Club was held last night at the club rooms
on Wood street. The routine prellminaries
were interrupted by W. II. Keech, who, in
behalf of a number of the members, pre-
septed President Paul with silver.mounted
cigar case.
H. D. w. English, Chairman Of the Board
OF Trustees, submitted report which
showed balance of 81, ,O81 OF, which, added
to the sinking fund, makes the handsome
balance of 81, 299 % to the clubs credit.
The Financial Secretary's report to the
board showed a membership of us. an in
crease of ia over the year previous. Con-
tinuing, the report advised the continuance
of the annual dinners which have made the
club the best-known political organization
in the United States.
The work done by the club during the
Gubernatorial campaign was referred to and
their action in supporting the nominee of
the party was deemed proper. The report
said that though defeat had been their lot
In the State and national contests just closed,
1t has not been the first time the club has
met and overcome them, and they had no
fear for the future Of the club or its position
IN political contests where the banner of
true Republicanism needs the support of
active young Republicans.
THE ERIE CANAL PROJECT.
A report received by the trustees from q
special committee in reference to the pro-
posed Erie canal was submitted in the trus-
trees report The committee states that the
project was yet in its early stages, and the
committee was necessarily confined to pre-
liminary work. They did not think it ne
cessary at atpresent to make complete canvas
of the iron and coal merchants for their
opinion, but have written to a few request
ing to be advised if they favor the canal,
and to give statistics, if possible, of bulk
shipments. Favorable answers have been
received from w. II. Park, of Park Bros. &
Co., and Captain Fl. Brown, of W. H.
Downs Sons. A resolution offered by
delegate from the Americus Club to the State
League in their meeting last September in
Philadelphia, favoring the building of the
canal, was adopted. A continuance of the
committee. to be appointed by the President
OF the club, was respectfully requested.
Much hard work, it was stated, is yet. to be
done, and most of it cannot be decided upon
until the project is further advanced. In
the opinion of the committee it is of national
Importance to connect our lakes with Our
rivers, and the favorable report OF the COM
mittee appointed by Legislature to survey
route is encouraging enough to warrant an
earnest effort to be made for its success.
The letters received on the canal subject
were submitted with the report of the COM
mittee.
DESERVING OF SUPPORT.
The Board urged further effort in behalf
of this most worthy object on the part of the
club, as the interest of the public in these
great projects can only be secured through
constant agitation. An enterprise of such
magnitude and of such great importance to
our State, it was stated, deserves all the
support such an enterprising club as the
Americus is capable of giving.
Continuing, the board especially COM
mended the officers of the club for their
efforts during the year just closed.s They
had been earnest and painstaking in their
duties, and their reports were deserving of
special commentators. A marked advance
in the military division of the club was
noticed. The parades of the year had been
creditable alike to the club and the military
officers in command.
The remainder of the report was taken up
with detailed history of the club since its
organization as a simple marching club in
1884. A reference was also made to the per-
maneut organization in January, 1885.
The annual election was then held. It
resulted as follows:
President, Charles c. Baer: First Vice Presi-
dent, W. r. Ford; Recording Secretary,
George s. Houghton: Corresponding Secre-
tary ]. d. Littell; Financial Secretary, w. w.
Colville; Treasurer. James H. Wilcox: Board
of Trustees. John A. Reed John b. Bar
bour. Jr., William NJ. Gibbs. ). Anderson, 8.
McElroy, j. H. Smithley, William NJ.
Rees, ]. NJ. Hall. w. p. Bennett. ]. c. Ray
burn. George P. Letsche. E. L. Devore. w. c.
Magee. Military officers-Major, A. J. Logan;
Captains, 8. D. Hubley. w. II. Reed; FIRST
q. Stewart; Membership Committee. William