The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-06-08
LEAGUE OF PROGRESS.
Young Business Men Form an
Organization.
1t Proposes to Wrestle With the Southern
Pacific Company in the Interests
Of the State.

night at the Biiou Theater, to effect an or
ganization of what is hereafter to be known
as the California League Of Progress. 1t
was very enthusiastic assemblage, and it
net under such favorable auspices that the
organization starts out with the full promise
of a bright and useful future.
The proceedings commenced with the
unanimous election of w. Fl. Metson as
chairman, and Maurice Lohenstein as Sec
rotary.
Mr. Metson upon mounting the platform
briefly announced the objects Of the meeting
to be the formation of on association whose
purpose it shall be to devise ways and
means whereby the volume Of business done
in this community can be increased.
1T Is a question:" said Mr.. Metson,
"wbether we can induce the people Of Cali
fornia to awake from their long sleep. or
whether they will. in spite of our efforts,
continue to remain in passive drowsiness,
satisfied with the present and without any
thought for the future" To this he added
that it must be the young business mems
mission TO ascertain whether there IS enthu-
sasm and ambition enough among our citl-
Zens to force California into the CONNER
cial position to which she is geographically
entitled.
TIE LEAGUES PLATFORM
C. ]. Burns then read the following decla-
ration of principles, which was unanimous
ly adopted:
II is universally acknowledged that in the last
quarter OF a century no State or section OF
county has been so tyranicauy 0VerfidGen ana
publicly robbed and defranded by the rap9ei0uS
hand of constituencies mOn0poies aud the de-
bauchery aud perfdy OF public officers and legIs'
latOrs as our own California
The picture Of Opp essiOn aud the lnsoent diS-
regard OF the peoples rights and freedom has
become painfully familiar one to the MUD aud
heart Of every patriotic citizen Of California.
The Interests and resources OF our grand ana
noble Stale are everywhere crushed and Stunted
In the interest OF a corrupt ana inscriptions
monopoly that for years has held the prosperity
and welfare Of the commonwealth In the hollow
OF It's Unsuitable hand
Everywhere we turn our eyes we behold the
cOwardly aud dismal spectacle OF an enIran-
chlsed people bowling in Sert-like attitude 10 the
relentless mandates and behests OF corpora
ton that holds deSpOtic sway over every IN
dustry and enterprise, both great and small
throughout tie length aud breadth OF Tie State.
Whenever It has f,iled to accomplish IT'S own
vile and selfish aims and purposes by ialT ana
legitimate means il has invariably resorted 10
force, fraud and bribery, 10 per1urs and deDauch
our public officials aud cast disgrace aud ruin
upon the fair name OF our beloved California.
We therefore believe tnat the time has now
arrived when the sons Of pioneers and younger
citizens of the commonwealth should unanl-
mOusly arise and assert their independence, ana.
by united effort, seek to throw of the yoke OF
OPPRESSION" ana endeavOr 10 restore 10 the
State something OF tie prosperity That charac-
teIlLed her achievements Ia former days.
We all recognize the great urgency ana need
OF some remedy being applied to resuScliate our
waning trade and commerce, and TO assist by
some concerted action in breaking down the
barriers and restrictions that stand in the way OF
all true aud lasting progress.
We further recognize that, unless some Ylgor-
GUS aud aggressive polley 10 outlined ana puI-
sued, aad systematic course OF agitation pro-
mulgated and adopted throughout The state, we
can never hope nor look for any measure OF per
manent relief
We believe that by a united movement such
as we propose TO organize We can accomplish a
great deal toward breaking up public abuses OF
every Kind, rehablltatiuR our langulshing IN
duslrles aud restoring puDilc confidence III the
future welfare ana success OF California.
To this end we cordially Invite tile co-opera.
tlOn and assistance of every true ana earnest
citizen who loves his State and desires TO see
her rescued from The hands OF public thieves and
private mOn0p0lies
work and tue general stagnailon consequent
upon our Isolated and enslayed position, we
hereby bind aud declare ourselves IN favor OF
any measure calculated TO bring about such
changes in the management OF our pubHe affairs
and our various industrial enterprises as Will
restore Them 10 an honest, vigorous aud pro-
gresslYe condition.
STRONG RESOLUTIONS.
Albert L. Castle followed with state
ment that he thought the movement could
not be successful unless the cooperation of
the young men throughout the State could
be had He therefore introduced the fol-
WHEREAS The business interests Of our State
are suffering from lack Of cooperative action on
the part Of cur mel chants, manufacturers,
miners and producers and whereas, the young
men Of san Francisco desire To awaken the old.
time spirit OF progression which has Tor years
lain dormant, therefore be 1t
Resolved, That an association be formed, the
object OF which shall be the advancement OF
Calliornla's best Interests and the promotion OF
any enterprise that Will contribute TO the well
fare OF her people. BE It further
Resolved, That the interests OF San Francisco
and the interior being Identical the objects of
This association can only be accomplished
through the united action OF the whole State
We therefore call upon the young men Of all
sections of the State 10 Immediately organize, so
that a State league may be formed 10 success
fuzzy carry out the grand objects OF our assoela-
lion.
A SIGNIFICANT INQUIRY.
At this juncture w. f. Beck rose to in
quiie if the organization was intended to be
a political one or one to oppose the Southern
Pacific Railroad only.
Walter Castle declared that no special
railroad fight was intended, but thata battle
against every discrimination harmful TO
California was TO be waged.
I'VE are called upOn," said Mr.. Castle,
ito save our State from that ruin which
must inevitably come unless we take action.
Every business man knows that aud we
need not disguise the fact"
Mr.. Castle then read a telegram from
Ralph 5. Miller of Santa Cruz, which stated
THAT Lub libtlb City ny luG S6d WIS III Sy ILL.,
pathy with the movement.
The announcement was followed by three
cheers and a tiger for Santa Cruz.
Continuing his remarks, the speaker re-
ferred to the declaration OF principles as
adopted, and said they were no. too strongly
worded, although some people thought so.
He considered that the time for acting on
the defensive had passed and that aggressive
movements are now in order.
THE railroad is one Of the worst enemies
we have" he declared. The roar of APP
plause which followed the remark proved
that his hearers were in perfect sympathy
with him.
1.-The Croker boys are all right but Hunt
ington and his man Friday, Mills, are doing
all the harm," shouted Mr.. Castle, and at
once another burst Of applause was heard
In conclusion the speaker said: I'VE
must prevent the railroad from crowding
us out of business, before we have barely
started and we must purify the conditions
now existing.
BLEED BY THE RAILROADS.
Thomas Fitch Jr was the next speaker
He appealed to the audience to awaken to
the fact that now is the time TO demand
such recognition from the railroad as will
lead to reduction OF fares and freights and
make it possible for business men to do
business in California.
"Trade is paralyzed," said he, land there
is no use in denying it, Our railroad
milliOnaires are building castles elsewhere
and marrying their heiresseS to tilted
foreigners. 0nly one Of them has done
anything for the State. All of the others
invest their incomes elsewhere as fast as
they can take them out of California"
w. +. Beck followed with an apology for
his previous remark. He said he had been
misunderstood when he asked the question,
for he WAS as ready as any one to work for
the good of California He qualified his
statement, however, by saying he did not
think it wise TO fight the railroad company
This wise saw fell fiat on the meeting and
Mr.. Beck took his seat feeling decidedly I'M
comfortable.
NO USE FOR POLITICIANS.
A constitution and bylaws for a perma-
i'm tint, IA