The Portland daily press., 1898-10-21
TALKED TO RAILROAD MEN.
Few Empties on the Side Track Now
President Tells Them.

Chicago, October 20-The weather to-
day, the last day of Chicago's peace jubi
lee was even worse IL possible than that
Of the preceding three days. Rain fell
fitfully and cold breeze blew constant
". Preceding the chief event, the rail
way employees reception to the Presi'
dent, Mr.. Mckinley spent the day quiet
ly. At / 80 pm, the President was driv'
en- to the First regiment armory. where,
together with Mayor Harrison. he was
received by large gathering of railroad
employees. After the reception the Prest-
dent addressed the railroad men, eliciting
from them the warmest applause The
railroad reception at the armory was
President Mokinley's last public appear.
ance In Chicago during the jubilee. The
Presidential party will leave at II to-
night ON the Pennsylvania special train.
and the President met was gaily fes-
tooned and the galleries were hid len De-
nina tine folds of Oiu Glory. The tresi-
dent appeared upon the east end OF the
main balcony and spoke briefly to the as
o. mbled railway men who represented
every branch of..the service. The mass
needing was in the nature Of formal
-
railway employees. called to draft meas
ures for national and state legislation
applied to organized railroad labor.
The armory was crowded when tho ex-
eroisus were opened with prayer by DR..
Emil g. Hirsch. Chsirman J. h. Walsh
OF the Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engi-
neers, presided and delivered the opening
rison, who delivered the address of well
couaa In Preaident McKinIey.
President Mckinley spoke In part, as
follows:
II count myself fortunate to have the
privilege of meeting with this great rail
road organization In this great metropo-
lis. l have had in the last ten days very
periences NJ I journeyed through the
country, but assure you that not one Of
them has given me greater pleasure than
to meet the men and women connected
with the great railroads Of the country.
II bring to you today not only my good
will, but 1 bring to you the good will
and respect of sevent, millions Of Ameri.
can cirlzena (Great applause:
snce. You 60 in and out every day before
your countrymen and you have ever de-
served from your countrymen tbs un-
stinted praise and approval for your
fidelity to the great interest you represent
The virtue of the people lies at the
foundation Of the republic; the power Of
tho people Is in the American Preside.
The virtue that comes out of the holy
altar of the homo ia the most priceless
gift this nation has and when the voice
Of the peoples speak from the home Of
the psople, it is a command to Congress
and the Exeoutive-it is the law Of the
republic.
your cordial greeting and / congratulate
you ON The evidences Of returning pros
perity everywhere. (Great applause
What you waat-what we all want
Is business prosperity. When you have
that you have something to do; when you
have 1t not, then you are idle. There are
few emptiss now on the sidetrack. (Great
laughter and applause) and there are few
railroad men unemployed. Applause }
The oftener you see the freight car the
oftener you see the pay car. Applause.
II am glad to observe that the First
Illinois regiment is in your presence to-
day. (Applauss.) That gallant regiment
Is MADE up Of the volunteers frem tn 9
homes Of Chicago who took their lives
into their own hands and went to Snnti-
ago to fight the battle Of liberty against
oppression. am glad to have this op-
portunity to meet and greet them and to
congratulate and thank them in the name
of the American people. And now having
said this much l hope, l know, that l
will carry from this place from this audi
ence, from these warm hearted men and
women the pleasantest memories of my
long trip through the West"