The San Francisco call., 1897-09-07

the platform he was greeted with such a
storm of applause that he wes obliged to
wait for it 10 subsIde before he could
make himself heard. He then made a
humorous little speech which brought
down the house.
The Rev. George Edward Walk then
made the opening prayer of the conve n
tlon, after which the Press Club quartet
sweetly rendered Marching On" and in
response TO a vigorous encore gave II
Stood on the Bridge at Midnight"
The following letter was received from
the Hon. James II. Budd:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
SACRAMENTO, CAL Sept. 3, 1897.
Conrad Trieber. Esq, Secretary Letter Carriers
association, San Francisco, CdL-DEAR SIR:
Governor Budd has directed me TO convey 10
your association his appreciation OF vour
valued invitation 10 attend the opening
exercises OF your convention on September o.
as well as your banquet on the evening OF
Septem Der 9. He would be pleased to be with
you on these occasions, but the business which
has accumulated during his vacation now so
hospitality. He regrets this inability and
wishes your association q successful conveD-
ton. Very respectfully,
PETER J. SHIELDS, Private Secretary.
Letters Of regret were also read from
Lieu tenant Governor William T. Jeter, ].
o. Il J
Mcguire. Hon. NJ. V. Bowers, William
Alvord, A. w. Burnett and John R.
Mathews, postmaster of Los Angeles.
w. W. Montague was then introduced
by Chairman Meares. Alter the applause
had somewhat subsided Mr.. Montague
said:
The duties OF the empoye are many
and varied; IT is his mission 10 carry mis-
siVes which may bring sorrow or happi-
to = ho IpTn fS IN hay ha
OF great importance and the responsible
ity rests on him 10 see that they are prop
erly delivered. ! hope and believe that
each one OF you lealizes this respon-
sibility and also that to perform these du-
ties requires ability, SO that it may truly
be said at if there is anybody TO be re-
lied upon it is letter carrier"
Three vigorous cheers were then given
for the Postmaster.
George D. Clark, grand president of the
Native Sons of the Golden West, then
made a speech, in which he recounted the
natural advantages and the wonderful
beauties of the State OF California, ending
up with neat compliment TO the ladies.
The address of welcome was delivered
by the Hon. James D. Phelan. After bid
ding the visitors welcome TO thus beauti-
tul land OF sunshine and flowers he gave
a short resume of the history of the State
OF California from its first settlement by
the pioneers through the early stages of
DEVELOPMENT, recounting the struggle for
admission into the Union, and the great
JOY expressed when this event was finally
announced, thirLy-nlne days after its con-
summation.
He then paid a tribute to the earnest
work OF the early settlers. the result of
whose struggle is seen all around in the
smiling fields ana pleasant vineyards
where was once a barren wilderness and
wild beast and wilder men roamed unhin-
dered through its forests.
He then extended a cordial invitation in
the name of the City officials TO the dele
gates TO visit the parks and public buid d.
ings where, he assured them, every cour-
tesy would be extended.
w. ". O'Neil Lresident of Golden Gate
Branch No. 214. followed in an address
full of good wishes for the association in
general and this convention in particular,
ending with a prophecy that the results
accomplished by this gathering would be
prolific in good deeds and noble actions.
John n. Parsons, president of the Ma
tional association, responded to the
speeches as follows:
1T gives me grea pleasure to have been
able to take advantage of this opportun-
ity to meet SO many co-workers. came
10 see this part OF the country, after many
difficulties, and wonld say to my friends
who spoke so proudly of their native State
at our former conventions that while Is
rich in natural advantages, il is still lack
ing IN one thing. As they said, the tables
are piled with luxurious fruits the year
around, where the streets are sprinkled
with Wiue,' but l have found to my sor-
row that with all these advantages it still
needs a railroad.
al would recon- mend your committee
to visit the fourteen members of Congress
who are now Ill this City and refer this
question to them for their earnest consid-
Grafton"
Among those on the platform were
Hon. James D. Phelan, Postmaster w. w.
NJ Montague, Deputy Postmaster B. +. Nc
kInley, E. A. OConnor. John L. Meares,
National President John n. Parsons,
National Vice President James Arkison,
National Secretary John +. Victory. Presi-
dent W. W. O'Neil of Golden Gate Branch
No. 214, Rev. g. f. Walk. George D.
Clark, grand president n. S. 6. W, and
Alexander Mcdonald, National treasurer
of the Letter Carriers Association.
AT the close OF the Getting a com mmittee
consisting of r.. S. Logan, j. c. Levy and
H. NJ. Locke showed the visitors the sights
of Chinatown.
The programme for this evening is as
follows: Trip TO the Chutes; visit to
Chinatown; address by John n. Parsons
in Odd Fellows Hail; "Trip Through
California" by Inspector James W. En-
win. illustrated BY stereopticon views, in
Odd Fellows Hall. The convention will
be IN session both morning and afternoon.