The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-16
CAN ON To Be
THEIR MECCA
Republicans of California
Planning for a Pill
grimage.
WILL CALL ON M'KINLEY
Negotiations Are Already Well
Under Way for the Pro-
jected Trip.
HUNDREDS ANXIOUS TO 90.
An Endeavor to Be Made to Have
Al of CALIFORNIA; Many Inter-
eStS Represented.
HUNDREDS Anxious TO 60.

California Republicans are preparing to
demonstrate their patriotism, and their
adhesion to that policy of protection which
is so largely conducive to progress and
prosperity, in unique and mort en-
phatic manner.
a lew weeks may see one or more special
trains. carrying between 100 and 200 enthu-
siastic leading Republicans. speeding
across the continent from California, bound
for Canton, Ohio, the Mecca of all true
and loyal me M ers of the party that gave
the country Lincoln, a Grant and scores
OF other illustrious statesmen and patriots
within the last generation.
The idea of the pilgrimage is to convey
to Major William Mckinley the loyal SEN
timents of CALIFORNIA; Republicans, to
assure him of their united support, and
incidentally to call to his attention the
many and varied interests of the State that
will be benefited by the resum ption of the
tariff fathered by this famous Ohioan.
Colonel ]. T.. Ritchey of Los Angeles
conceived the scheme last July, but when
1t was first submitted to the Southern 2 a.
cltic officials in this City it was thought to
be too big thing to be carried to a sue
cessful onsummation, and 1t was allowed
But, despite the fact that the encour-
agement and cooperation of he railroad
people was Withheld, the plan took a
strong hold on the originator and his
friends. Among those who became most
active in the m after were Colonel II. G.
OH of the Los Angeles Times and G. ].
Griffith. The Canton Excursion Associa-
ton was formed and Mr.. Griffith became
its energetic secretary.
One of the methods adopted to arouse
interest in the scheme was to send a cir
cular letter to the chairman of each Re-
publican county COMMITTEES, requesting
him to send to the association the names
of not less than twenty-five prominent
and influential Republican, who would be
likely to interest themselves in the project.
1t was suggested that the names be Sc
lected from those who represented the
following interests: Agricultural, mining
lum Der, sheep-raising, wool growing, cat
tle-raislng. Embarrassing, irrigation, grape
growing, raisin-making sugar-beet rails
ing, railroad transportation, ocean ship
ping, g. neral commercial, me-cantine,
manufacturing. petroleum and Nicaragua
canal.
When these lists had been received be-
tween 100 and 1000 individual invitations
were sent out by Secretary Griffith, and
the responses showed remarkably strong
desire on the part of many to join in the
proposed excursion. These replies came
from all over the State, and showed equal
enthusiasm in The north and in the south.
John Nj. Crowley, the assistant general
| passenger and freight agent of the South
ern Pacific at Los Angeles, on the Sd inst.
| again called the attention OF his superior
| in San Francisco to the matter, detailing
| all the above facts and developments.
This time his efforts bore fruit. He was
instructed to consult with Mr.. Byrne the
| general passenger agent OF the Southern
California Railway, for the purpose of
! securing his consent to rate of $72 so to
| Chicago and return, providing not less
| than 100 persons agreed to take the trip.
This was readily obtained, and General
Passenger AGENT T. II. Goodman of the
Southern Pacific, on the 18th inst, placed
The matter in the hands of B. D. Cald-
well, chairman of the Transcontinenta
Passenger Association, to be presented for
the consideration of the members of the
association. Mr.. Goodman's telegram to
Mr.. Caldwell was ss follows:
Please present following for immediate at
tention and earliest possible action: Presented
with approval of Mr.. Byrne of the Southern
California Railway. We ask privilege of nam
ing $72 so rate from California points to Chi
cago and return for party travelling together,
destination Canton, Ohio. Said party to be
not less than 100 persons, going East via
Ogden, returning via Santa Fe. Date OF depar-
ture not yet decided Tickets to be for con-
tinuous trip with only sufficient time to
accommodate delegation wishing to call upon
Republican nominee at Canton. This rate to
be used in connection with such rate as will be
granted for same party from Chicago TO Canton
and return. Undoubtedly large additional
number would join party at points east of
California. This is peculiar request incident
TO the times, and VIII ask that Californi
terminal lines be allowed to agree hereafter
upon time limit Kindly acknowledge receipt
1t is expected that Mr.. Caldwell will
carry on all negotiations with the men,
bers of the Transcontinental Passenger
| Association by telegraph, and a reply may
be looked for any day.
In Mr.. Crowley's latest letter to Good
man he expressed the opinion that there
| would probably be 200 who would take adj
vantage of the opportunity to make a
quick and cheap iaunt to Canton and re-
| turn.
At the present time the Pennsylvania
Railroad is carrying excursion parties
from Chicago to Canton and fetnrn for
"a 90, less than one-quarter the regular
rate. But this extremely low rate requires
| the excursionist to go and come on the
same day. Tickets allowing three DAYS
| for the return trip are sold Tor So 10, half
| the regular rate.
| 1t is proposed to make the pilgrimage in
| way to do honor to California and 20 the
man it is intended to visit. There will be
bands OF music on the trains, the coaches
| will be handsomely and profusely decor
ated and ample supplies of California
| products, such as fruits and wines, will be
taken along so that the reputation OF the
| Golden State for unexcelled hospitality
! may he fin llv and ah Ix, ~ ;rad