San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-07-13
REPUBLICAN LEAGUES.
Flower OF The Grand Old
Party Assembled.
GOVERNOR PINGREE MADE AN
ADDRESS AND GOT FAINT
APPLAUSE.
Speech OF President WOOimanSee,
An Able And0Ringing Address,
Calls For TumultuOuS
Praise From All
The Sides.


July 13-Cool, pleasant weather was
furnished for the opening of the tenth
annual convention Of the National
League of Republican clubs, which was
called to order this morning. The most.
striking features in the decorations OF
the hall were the life size portraits of
President Mckinley, James G. Blaine,
Washington and Lincoln. A tier of
seats in rear of platform having ca
pacity of 300 was occupied by more or
less notables. The delegates seated in
state groups, filled nearly the entire
floor and the local public looked on
from the galleries. At 1890 o'clock
President Woodmansee called for or
der. Rev. DIR. Robert ]. Service, of
the Trumbull avenue Presbyterian
church, prayed for blessing on Presi-
dent Mckinley, Congress, governors of
states and all others in authority, and
that the national honor hight be saved
from tarnishment. President Wood
mansee then introduced Governor Pin
gree, who delivered the address of well
come on behalf of the State of Michi-
gan.
Governor Pingree's address was not
in any sense a spread eagle speech and
the applause was rather faint, coming
from his friends in the Michigan dele
cation. Col. M. Duffield, of this city,
welcomed the delegates on behalf of
Detroit.
President Woodmansee of the Ma
tional League, then delivered his an
maui address, to-wit:
Gentlemen of the convention:-In
compliance with a custom that has be-
come established at our National
League convention, l venture to adj
dress you as your President, upon the
state of the league, and of our rela-
lions and duties to it and to the Re
publican party. The league has a mis-
sion to perform, and it is eminently
proper that we should annually deter
mine If this organization has measured
up to its possibilities. The pomp and
ceremony of a national assembly of
this character are so useless and so
inappropriate, If we cannot learn a
lesson and profit by reason of the ex-
perience. Speaking as 1 do for those
during the last year have had charge
of the affairs of the league can say
that we are proud of what has been
accomplished during the closing adj
ministration. 1 am able to report that
the debts of the league, which have so
long been a menace to it's development
and a encouragement to its friends,
have been paid. can further say
that every obligation that has been
incurred during the last year, has been
provided for, and the officers whom
you may select at this convention will
not be required to divide their time be-
tween the wants of the organization
and the demands of its creditors.
I'm further reporting to you. it is
proper for me to say that since be-
came your president, less that one
year ago, have Travelled in twelve
states, and made in each of those states
from one to ten speeches. / have adj
dressed six state league conventions
and four state league banquets. By
this means your President has come in
contact with the league workers in a
large section of the union and he is
now more than ever impressed with
the Importance and usefulness of this
organization. Those associated with me
have labored to establish harmony be-
tween the league and the regular par
ty organization. The result of your
elOTIS IN lnlS QlreCIlOn nave DeSH HlOSl
gratifying. The league has a right to
exist only so long as, it is useful
agency for party success. They can
and do take charge of political meet
ings, distribute literature, look after
registration, and on election day be-
come responsible for every Republican
casting a ballot. l am glad to report |
that in those states where the Repub-
lican clubs were disintegrated, by a
sentiment in favor of free silver, our |
cause is full of hope. and by and by |
the league clubs of the states will |
bring these states back into the Re-
publican column.
During the last campaign, when the
Democratic candidate for President
was travelling about the country in
palace cars telling the people of their
poverty and their distress, the Repub-
lican league clubs, one by one, were
finding their way to Canton; where
they heard the gospel of hope and the
of better things to come. As
they returned to their homes from that
Mecca of Republicanism, they carried
with them an enthusiasm that made
the campaign of 1896 the most memoir
able in our country's history.
CAS- a part Of our deliberations at /
this convention, 1 would suggest the
propriety of discussing the proposition