Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-14
HARRISON'S AUDIENCE
Mayor Gourley Promises the Presi-
dent That He Will Talk to
TWO HUNDRED THOUSANDPERSONS
At the Independence Day Celebration in
schenley Park.
MORE CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED NOW

The great calamity in the Oil Creek
valley has so overshado owed all other matters
during the past week that the proposed
celebration of the Fourth Of July has been
to large extent forgotten. The contribu-
tions for the past 10 days have been very
light and at present there il but 50, 3S9 in
the celebration fund. The Mayor had hoped
to raise from 81, 900 to SIC, 900, and to make
this last celebration during his term of
Office eclipse all others in every way, but
owing to the Oil Creek horror he has
decided that if he can get contributions
amounting to 50, 800 or 50, 500 he will not
ask for more.
The actual expenses of last years celebra-
tion amounted to $500. This year it will
require at least 5000 of the fund for gen.
eral expenses, and the balance to be secured
is intended for . fireworks display in the
evening.
The Mayor Changed His Mind.
The Mayor last week had half decided not
to attempt to raise enough money for fre-
works display, but he realized that there
would be such great disappointment if this
feature should be eliminated, that the re-
solve was withdrawn, and he now proposes
to make new appeal for funds for that pur-
pose.
Only three weeks now remain in which
to COLLECT all the money and prepare for the
celebration. The fireworks contract must
be let within ten days, as the manufacturers
demand at least two weeks In which to fill
the order. It will require $1,000 more In
contributions to place the order, hence the
Mayors anxiety to receive the money at
once.
'I have to-day written to President Har-
rison, earnestly requesting him to come to
our celebration" said the Mayor last even
Ing. ''snd have strong hopes that now the
excitement consequent upon the nomination
has subsidized, he will be with us and deliver
q brief address suitable to the occasion. I
assured him at least 200, 900 listeners, and a
warm, patriotic reception from all our
people.
Pushing tue Arrangement Of "Details.
Tho arrangement Of details for the day
arc being made with ~ much speed as pos
sible. Aside from the fireworks display we
have money enough on hand to pay tor
everything. I have hopes that our patriotic
people will come forward literally to make
this feature ss suocessfal a. the other, and
particularly when we expect tho Chief Mag
istrate of the nation as our guest on this
occasion. I have not deemed It wise or proper
to ask our citizens for Fourth of July funds
at . time when they were called upon to
aid tho suffering. people whose homes
and property had been destroyed,
but henoeforth I believe there will be
response sufficiently liberal to assist us in
our celebration of Independence
Day as q distinctive feature of our city.
The contributors thus far have been gener-
Gus, but few in number. If everybody
would contribute only small sum there
would be more than enough. hope that
those who can will send Us something and
at once. It will help rs and the whole peo-
pie are to receive the benefit"
Yesterdays contributions were: j. G.
Bennett, $40; William F. Aull. $40; Times.
500. Total, $50.