The Topeka state journal., 1899-10-10
Union Bricklayers and StOne-
smasOns Call on President.
He Insists on Being ReckOned
Among the Members.
HE is PROUD OF IT.
Invites Them to Hold COnVen-
tiOn in Washington.
Spends Day Seeing Sights Of
Chicago.

Chicago, Oct. 1O.-President Mckinley
had scarcely finished breakfast this
morning when the first of the many
delegations seeking attention reached
the Auditorium. The delegation was
composed entirely of labor men and the
president was closeted with them for
half an hour.
The party was made up principally Of
members of the Bricklayers and Stone
masons Union, which some weeks ago
made the president an honorary mem
Der of their organization. President
Gubbins, of the union in the course Of
conversation mentioned the 'bricklay-
ers organization"
''Our organization If yoa please. Don't
forget me-" smiled Mr. Mckinley and
the committee promised that he would
always be remembered as a fun hedged
union bricklayer and stOnemasOn.
The president asked many questions
relative to the condition of Chicago's
laboring people and expressed his pleas
ure that they were feeling the effects
of prosperity.
The corner stone trouble which arose
from the employment of non-uniOn la
Dor in cutting the first stone and which
for time threatened the ceremony OF
yesterday was not spoken OF. Ihe pres
ident declared he considered it a COM
pIiment to belong to the bricklayers'
union and pulled from an inside pocket
proceedings.
7 would like to have the fnternation-
al body of which our union is a part
hold it's convention of 1901 in Washing
tom said the president as the building
tradesmen were about to retire. Prest-
dent Gubbins thanked him for the inVl-
tation and declared that the matter
would be laid before the delegates to
the convention of 1900.
When the president emerged from the
hotel and stepped into his carriage the
weather could not have been nearer
perfection. Mr.. Mckinley drove first TO
the Battle of Manila, panorama re-
production of Admiral Dewey's famous
victory where he spent a few moments
In the G.. A. r. Memorial hall, he next
greeted the Army of the Tennessee,
which is holding its reunion at thar
place. In addition to the 800 veterans
present, the hall was packed with spec
tatOrs, who cheered frantcally. Gen.
Granville NJ. Dodge, in introducing the
president declared that-he could rest
assured of the support of the Army or
the Tennessee in his present policy
The president responded: I do not
intend to interrupt your business at
this meeting and have only called that
I may pay my respects and present my
personal good wishes to the Army OF
the Tennessee and respond with ex-
pressiOnS of gratitude and satisfaction
to the warm words of Gen Dodge, your
president in pledging the support OF the
veterans of the Army of the tennessee
to the flag and the patriotic purpose o.
the government of the United States
Indeed no such pledge IS necessary
from your chairman: 1 could have
known without his stating it where the
army stood when the flag was assa1led,
carried by soldiers and sailors OF the
republic. I would know where this vet
eran army would stand when / should
recall its history, with its Grant, Sher-
man. Mcpherson and Logan, and as
said I have only come to pledge the
honor which 1 feel for the veterans OF
for. haT n
taught patriotism to the people OF the
United States and when the hour OF
peril came last year, as result OF your
instructions, more than million men
volunteered to defend the flag. I thank
you for your cordial welcome and bid
YOU good morning..
The president was then driven TO the e
hall of the WOmen'S Athletic cluD
where a light luncheon was served in
honor of Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley.
In the Women's Athletic club society
leaders and women prominent in var
ious kinds of work assembled early IN
anticipation of the visit of the presl-
dent and Mrs. Mckinley. After leav-
ing the veterans Mr.. Mckinley took q
short drive followed by a cavalcade Of
the city guests and more spectators
calling at the hotel for Mrs. Mckinley
The entire party then repaired to the
Athletic club where an exhibition or
swimming was given, all of which was
applauded.
Mrs Harrison, wife of the mayor and
Mrs. H. II. kOhlSaat were among InOSc
present. The stay was short however
and the presidential party left followed
by words of regret that the visit could
not have been of longer duration. Mrs
Mckinley and Miss Barber returned to
the hotel while the president cheered
all along the route betOok himself to
the Press club where he spent the hour
from u to receiving the members OF
the club. The president expressed his
pleasure at the opportunity of meeting
the working newspaper men of the city
but made no formal speech.
President Mckinley and Secretaries
Hay, Hitchcock and Wilson, accOmpa-
MED by DR.. William r. Harper, l. W.
Noyes, Charles Truax, Lafayette Nc
Williams and Postmaster Gordon, were
greeted by the reception committee of
the Press club and introduced to the
200 odd members and their wives, who
were present. The party remained less
than an hour owing to other engage
ments The rooms were tastefully dec
grated with flags and palms and plants.
President Mckinley registered his
name in the guest book, which contains
the signature of nearly all the promi-
nent men who have visited Chicago
since the organization of the club When
| the president left three cheers We're
| given.