Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-09
A HOME FOR TRAVELLERS
Cornerstone Laid by the Nation
 al Association.
TWO GOVERNORS IN ATTENDANCE.

Governor Flower and Governor PattIson
 Present. With Their Stan, and Represent
 alive Bodies From Many Secret organI-
 zntions-A Banquet and Parade. ing of tho cornerstone of tho National Travellers home occurred here this after noon. The city is full of travelling men and presents holiday appearance This forenoon tho Commercial Travellers Home association held a short session at the Stowe Opera House, and this after noon the parade took place. Over 1, 900 travelling men were In line; also civic and military organizations from nearly every city in the state. %t\
 The Masonic fraternity 5f tho Eight eonth Masonic district participated, to- sether with delegations from other parts of the state and Pennsylvania The Odd Fellows and various cantons of the state also participated.
 The ceremonies of laying the corner stone were under the auspices of the Ma sonic fraternity and were conducted by Right Worshipful John Hodge, grand master of Masons of the state of New York, insisted by tho grand lodge.
 Banquet to the Governors.
 The banquet rendered by the citizens ot Binghamton to Governors Flower and Pattison and their staffs was held in the state armory last plight. Covers were laid for 500, and moro than $50 attended, among them being many of tho best known commercial travellers of the coun- try.
 During the day large delegations had arrived from other cities in anticipation of the ceremonies today attending the laying of the cornerstone of the Commer- cial Travellers home.
 The streets were handsomely decorated with arches and bunting.
 Governor Flower arrived from Albany on a special train early in the evening. accompanied by his staff-Generals Josiah Porter, J. NJ. Varian, T. H. McGrath, B. NJ. Whitlock, William M. West and c. D. Sanford, and Colonels B. H. Judson, Ja- cob Ruppert, John McGes and T. F. Sloan. Governor Pattison and his staff arrived some time later. A delegation of 100 com- mercial travellers also arrived, they com ing from Buffalo.
 Tho armory, where the banquet was served, was artistically decorated with flags and evcrgreens. Judge Frank W. Downs of Binghamton was toastmaster. Governor Flower responded to the toast
 
 quent address. warmly eulogizing the state. His remarks wero frequently ap- plauded. Hon. Robert Pattison, governor of Pennsylvania, who responded to the toast, The Keystone State, told of the many advantages of that section of the country, its natural resources and attract i've features. Tho toast assigned to Chauncey M. Depew. The Grandcst Ma tion, was responded to by Colonel Archie Baxter of Elmira
 Among the other toasts were "The State Legislature" by Senator O. 'Connor; Tho National Legislature by the Hon. s. c. Willard; The Masonic Fraternity" by Grand Master John Hodge; Tho Com mercial Travellers Association" by Pres ident J. B. Aldrich; Tho City of Bing- hamton" by Mayor George F.. Green.
 The banquet was preceded by recep- tion hold by Governors Flower and Patti- son and Grand Master Hodge in the par lors of the armory. They were met there resentative travelling men of tho country.
 Tho annual inspection of the Sixth battery by General McGrath took place previous to the reception.
 The governors of New York and Penn sylyania Grand Master Hodge and Colo nel Baxter delivered addresses at the lay ing of the cornerstone this afternoon.
 Origin of the Association.
 In March, 1891, 12 commercial travel CTS met at Jamestown and took tho initial step necessary to arrange for a meeting of as large and representative q body of trav- cling men as could be got together. No tices were sent to travelling men in sev- eral states requesting them to attend a meeting to be held at Elmira, Oct 31, 1891. to discuss tho plan and adopt by laws.
 Tho laws of several states were search cd, and 1t was found that under tho laws of no state could n charter for the con- struction of a home national in character be built, so it was decided to request tho next session of the legislature of the state of New York to pass n special act empow- ering the travelling men to build such a home. Vernon F.. Peckham of James town was engaged to prepare q measure to be presented to the legislature. The bill was presented in January. 1899. and passed and was signed by Governor Flow CT Feb. 25, 1892
 On March s6 following a meeting was held in this city, at which over 400 travel ing men wero present from all parts of the United States, and they were all mem- bers of the new association, which Is known as tho Commercial Travellers Homo Association of America Tho object arc to provide and maintain Q home and hospital for the care main- tenance and relief of indigent commercial travellers. their dependent wives, widows and infant children, and to build, furnish | and maintain in connection herewith a school for tho benefit of said infants, and | to provide and furnish such other further aid and assistance to tho members thereof and their families as may be provided by the bylaws.
 The Home.
 Under the act of the legislature 1t was provided that the home should be situated | in the state of New York. Sites were | offered by the public spirited residents oi | 12 different cities in various parts of this state. which were inspected by conn mittee, and at the annual meeting held at Syracuse, Oct 10, 1898. tho committed reported and unanimously recommended tho site offered by the residents and tray. cling men of this city.
 The site consists of 100 acres of land situated on South mountain about q mile from tho center of the city. The homo will be built upon the summit oI the mountain, whero 1t will command ( view of the city and country for miles | around.
 | Tho home, as proposed, will cost S125, | coo. The building will serve the present purpose, but in the futuro additions will probably be made. On July 12 the con tract for the construction of the founds tions was lot for Sl2, 320, and four day later ground was broken, Bessie Booth, thu 4-year-old daughter of Secretary Booth