The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-17

II is the biggest convention In the bis
tory Of railroads In America. Never be-
fore have there been so many ticket
punchers, brake twisters, switch yankers
and baggage crushers congregated In any
one city la America.
There is a delegate from nearly every
lodge In the United States, Canada and
Mexico. The delegates number 528; these,
with the visitors, about 800; these, with
the members from the local lodges, make
up q grand total of close upon 1900 mem.
They represent class Of citizens who
don't cit still very long," said d. L. Case.
editor Of The Railroad Trainmen's Jour-
nal Of Galesburg, Ills, to . reporter at
Fancuil hall yesterday.
Two hundred and sixty-hve Of them ar
rived Sunday on q special train from Chi
cago. From that city $50 started. and the
rest were picked up at Fort Wayne. Belle
vue, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, Syracuse
aud Albany.
Abont the 0oicsrs.
The officers of the brotherhood attend
ing the convention are, among others,
Grand Master s.. X. wilkinson of Peoria,
Ills, First Vice Grand Master p. H. Nor
risey of New York, Second Vice Grand
Master 4. T. Slattery Of Butte City, Mont,
Third Vice Grand Master George W. New
mar and Grand Secretary and Treasurer
w. A. Sheehau. Editor ID. L. Case Of The
Trainmen's journal Is accompanied by q
stenographcr. who will report the proceed
ings in full for the Official organ.
The delegates, who represent a member
ship Of 4o.oo0, travel free Ut charge, and
for every day of q regulation six days
session receive Is each, and s. for every
additional day occupied In transacting the
business Of the convention.
They had a very pleasant trip, with no
tickets or accidents to bother them, and
when they convened at Fansuil hall at
$3.50 yesterday morning, with be-numbered
aud be-badged coats, there was not Q sorry
looking face in the whole crowd.
Their Program.
They are going to follow out the usual
course of conventions, first with dry COM
mittee making and dryer routine work.
Then they will receive communications,
which they have already In their hands,
and refer them to committees. Then old
age, rheumatism and other ranks Of dis
ability will put in their claims. which
must be considered and acted upon. After
that will come more important work.
Among the matters which will be dis
cussed in the secret sessions are these:
The revision Of the bylaws: adjustment
of disputed claims; revision of the ritual;
election of officers; adjustment Of the in
surance question.
In addition it was learned that q change
in the location OF headquarters is medi-
tated. Various cities have offered induce
ments to the brotherhood to settle down
OUTSIDE, of Galesburg, Ills, which is the
headquarters at present, and the city or
town which comes along with the best in
ducement will get the Job.
At Galesburg the order occupies q FIVE
story building and owns and operates its
W printing plant, which includes the
organ, with a Giro ulation Of 80, 200 and a
job office.
At $50 yesterday Grand Master Wilkin.
son addressed the convention in a con-
gratulatory strain upon the growth and
present standing OF the order. A commit
tee, composed OF the grand master and
Messrs. Morrisey, Slattery, Newman and
Sheeban, then began their work of pass
ING upon the 5S5 credentials. From IL
neon TO 1:30 the conventio' took a recess.
In he afternoon the routine work was re-
sumed, and before d o'clock m adjourn
ment was posted, TO be pulled down at 0
thic ihofhth-
During the convention the delegates
from Montana will present the grand
lodge with a magnificent asvel of silver,
studded with native diamonds.
Yesterday afternoon, a souvenir, con-
tanning portraits and sketches of the off,
Gers OF the grand lodge, was presented to
each delegate.
This evening at Faneuil hall a public
meeting will be held, aud IL is expected
that Governor Russell, Mayor Matth ews
and others will deliver addresses of well
come 10 the convention.
On Oct. 10, Bunker Hill lodge. 4O4, will
entertain the delegates on the occasion OF
their annual ball. On Oct 81 T~rimountain
aud Boston lodges, $50 and Va, will hold a
ball ia Odd Fellows hail. Following
these will be q grand bolt by Somervi.le
lodge 5U7.