The San Francisco call., 1896-04-28
Claims of the "New Chicago"
Are Allowed Without an
Argument.
GUESTS GIVEN THE CITY's KEY.
Take Full Possession of the Tempo.
rary Capital of the Golden
West.


Henry Martin walked up the street to the
Pavilion Theater at ten minutes after noon
to-day. The heavy and popular grand
| treasurer was late. Tall Senator Bert had
| observed him approaching, however, and
had announced that fact to the presiding
officer. so when the treasurer walked down
the spacious aisle the officers and dele
gates were waiting, though in their
places.
Mr.. Martin sat down. He smiled broadly
and dried his perspiring brow with a
handkerchief, and then the annual con-
vention of the Native Sons was called to
order.
This was the opening session, and after
the preliminary business was done an ad-
| journment for two hours was ordered for
the benefit of the committee on creden-
tials.
Later in the afternoon two matters oa
public interest were taken up-the selec-
| ton of place to hold the Admission day
celebration in September and the choice of
a town in which to have the annual con-
vention next year. The first matter was
promptly disposed of, and the Natives will
gather at Stockton on Admission day.
Stockton was determined to have the
| September celebration, and it sent its men
here with instructions to win in spite Of
any opposition. Delegate H. r. McNoble
had magnificent Grafton already to de-
liver. He had been thinking about it for
days. He intended to tell the Natives OF
the glory of the "new Chicago" and to
point out in his most emphatic way the
commercial importance of its location.
! McNoble is an orator of fame as we'll as
| of ic irly 10 = al
quence that Stockton's easy victory is
ascribed. The delegates all knew that he
could deliver just such an oration, They
knew that they could not resist the argu-
ments if they listened, so they surren-
dered to Stockton in advance. Mr.. Nc
Noble did not have to speak.
| George E. Cats and W. B. Nutter, the
other Stockton delegates, were also pre-
pared to speak. They also are orators.
| A good talking delegation had been elected
| at Stockton for the purpose of capturing
the convention. These two men would
have left no truth unexpounded, however
much might have been overlooked by Mr..
Noble.
They would have reviewed the history
of their San Joaquin region from the first
day that the river flowed. They would
have pictured the glory and the romance
of Stockton life at autumn time, and they
would appeal to the delegates with all the
carrying force of an ebbing tide on the
overhowed lowlands, and with all the i'm
| aginative beauty of the inland mirage
that they and their home brethren know.
But their eloquence was not heard.
Every opposing delegation capituIated
when the Stockton motion was made, and
| AZ H.
debate or any opposition.
! The choice of place for the next annual
convention was considered. Redwood
| City's delegation extended a hearty invi-
| tatiou. San Francisco was named in one
OF the motions.
| The outside delegates seem to think that
Redwood City's invitation should be ac-
cepted, but San Francisco can command a
| large vote if its motion is urged. Watson
vile asserted claim to convention recog-
milton, and tomorrow Delegate Boyd of
| San Rafael will present a motion in the
| Marin County interests. No vote was
taken before to-day's adjournment.
The freedom of the city was rendered to
the guests this evening. A crowd of about
5000 persons assembled about the court
house grounds. A concert was given by
the Fifth Regiment band of San Jose.
Then M. R. De la Guerra of Los Osos Par
lor called the throng to order. Lawyer
William Graves of this city delivered the
address of welcome.
Mayor E. P. Unangst rendered the free
dom of the city to the Native Sons, max
ing very effective speech as he pre- sented
to Grand President Frank H. Dunno the
huge gilded key. He saw Milk Inspector
Dockery of San Francisco in the audience,
and made an allusion to San Francisco as
a city whose streets run not red with
gore but white with the chalk OF mems
rascality."
The Mayor told Grand President Dunno
to take the key, and If any rusted lock
should refuse to turn to use the KEY as q
club and knock the door from its hinges.
Mr.. Dunno made a brief and eloquent
reply. ''The warmth of our welcome"
said he, ''Ihe gracious words that we
have just listened to, the friendli-
ness and good feeling that are about
US, all these things, generous as they are,
seem to me quite in harmony with the
surroundings and the location of the
place selected for this meeting of
our Grand Parlor. When we remem-
Der that this ground, hallowed by
those Mission Fathers, those pioneers
among the pioneers who first taught of the
value of fraternal association and its ap-
plication to our human needs and desires,
it is not difficult to understand the pecu-
liar sympathy that makes our coming
among you the visit of old friends to old
friends rather than formal gathering of
strange visitors.
"And in accepting your hospitality in