The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-17
Eastern Lawmakers Interested in
the Needs of the San
Joaquin Valley.
PETITION TO CONGRESSMAN.
Gratifying Results of Labor to Secure
Legislation Desired by the
Railroad Town.

being done with the appropriation bills
now before Congress until after the holiday
adjournment. In the meantime, however,
they are getting matters in shape to bring
a powerful pressure to bear upon Congress
when the bills are taken up on the re-
milling OF Congress after the holidays.
The petition which the ladies will send
to Washington in favor of the improve
ment of the San Joaquin River, Stockton
and Mormon channels, together with an
additional appropriation for Government
building, will not be like the ordinary pc
titions, promiscuously signed. The mem
bers have taken the papers to all of the
large nstitutions-manufactu and
otherwise-of this city, and have secured
the signatures of the officers in their diff
ferent capacities, with the seals and trade
marks attached.
Some time ago Congressman Grove L.
Johnson advised the association to cult
vate the friendship of Eastern Congress
men in order that the measures might
have advocates outside of this State. This
was to be done by the large business
houses OF this city communicating with
Eastern correspondents and requesting
the latter to interest the Congressman
from their district in Stockton's behalf.
The plan of Mr.. Johnson's was considered
a rather original one, and m any were in
clined 10 take it as one his jokes. He
said, however, that he was entirely sin
cere, and the ladies set about to see what
would be the result of an effort in this
direction.
They interested the most influential men
of this city. Letters were sent to the
Eastern houses and the result has been
highly satisfactory. Many of the factories
and wholesale houses replied that they
would gladly do what they could to
advance Stockton's interests and have
transmitted TO Stockton houses the replies
which they received from home Congress
men.
The letters were very encouraging, and
number of the Congressman, not content
in making roundabout assurance of
friendship, have sent letters to prominent
citizens, promising their earnest support
for the appropriation bills. There is quite
a Name colony in Stockton, and as the
result of the exchange of letters on the
subject nearly the entire Maine delegation
in Congress ispledged to work for the bills
Shortly after Congress convenes in Janu-
airy the ladies propose to hold monster
mass.meeting on Hunter Square, at which
resolutions will be adopted calling upon
Congress to recognize this city's right to the
improvements asked for. Governor Budd,
Mayor Baggs and many promin ent citizens
will address the people. AS soon as the
resolutions are adopted they will be trans
mitted to the House of Representatives by
telegraph, the meeting to be so timed that
Congressman Johnson will be enabled to
read the message to the House while the
gathering here is still in session.
This is but one of the various plans the
ladies are working upon in order to bring
about favorable consideration of the bills
introduced by Congressman Johnson.
The annex has also found a warm ad-
vocate of the appropriation bills in Pro-
lessor George Davidson. The professor is
now collecting data showing the vast i'm
portance of the San JOAQUIN River to the
commerce of the State and the Pacific
Coast. He will do what he can in favor of
the appropriation for the new Government
building, holding that this city is destined
to become second only to San Francisco as
a center of trade and wealth.
members of the Ladies Annex of the Com
mercial Association are now playing in
the advancement of Stockton, short re-
view of the history of the organization is
in order. While the Valley Railroad en-
terprise was still in its inception, the
lad les organized to assist the Commercial
Association in the efforts to secure for
Stockton a place on the line of the rail-
road.
They participated in all of the public
meetings held, and when the time came to
raise money to assist in the enterprise
they were foremost in the work. and very
successful. The members issued one edi-
ton Of the Stockton Mail and realized
nearly $4,000 for the railroad fund. After
this the members divided the city into
districts and made a house-to-house can
yass for subscriptions. Acting upon the
principle that pennies made dollars, they
took every subscription, no matter how
small, and the fund swelled to large pro-
portions.
When it seemed that no more actual do
nations could be secured they devised
various entertainments, dances and socials
the receipts of which went toward liqui-
dating Stockton's promise to the Valley
Railroad directors.
The work did not stop at this, for the pro-
gressive women sold tea that had been do
mated by merchants and realized very
handsome sum on this plan. After the
railroad had been secured for Stockton
they decided to make their organization
permanent and continue their efforts for
the advancement of the city.
Since then no matter of importance has
come up but that they have contributed
their time and influence in favor of it's
promotion. The local press has repeatedly
said that the annex members were more
active and public spirited citizens than
were the members of the association
proper.
The ladies work along their own lines
and do not aspire to engage in any under
taking outside o; their particular sphere.
They attribute much of their success to
this fact.
The chairwoman of the annex is Mrs.
Il. Slaughter and the Secretary Mrs.
Joseph Badger. The active members are:
Mesdames W. D. Buckley, Joseph Budd,
Joseph Badger, d. A. Buell., A. A. Dudley,