The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-07
EXPECT $4,000 VISITORS
EPwORTH LEAGUE MANAGERS WANT
THE CITY TO WAKE Up.
Not Sufficient Financial support to
the Affair--What other Cit
fea offered.

The managers of the international Ep-
worth League convention which is to be held
here next month feel that the citizens are
not taking sufficient interest in the assem-
bly,, nor they approaching the magni-
tude Of IT, Visitors are coming from every
State and Territory. and from Mexico and
Canada. They must be cared for. Homes
must be provided. The citizens are urged 10
open their homes TO entertain these invited
guests. They will pay for their entertain
nent at reasonable rate. but comfortable
accommodations must be furnished for every
guest. Another vital point is that the finan-
cial committee should receive the liberal sup
port OF business men That the other con-
ventions held since these invitations were ex-
tended have not proved remunerative te the
business men does not relieve the city OF Its
obligations toward these for whom other
cities would provide royal entertainment, it
Is claimed. 1t is we'll known that some
months ago when there was question as to
suitable railroad rates being secured, Den
yer and other cities were quick to renew
their generous offers, and for time IT
looked as though the whole question was
likely to be reopened. The local committee
was able to avert such action. which would
have placed Indianapolis in no enviable
light.
For the unwavering support and hearty
cooperation of the city press the committee
on arrangements is profoundly grateful"
said the Rev. Mr.. Lasby yesterday. With
out their generous aid it would be simply
impossible for our committee TO carry this
work to success. With that aid, the as
surances of the distinguished gentlemen
who Joined in the invitation will be justified,
and Indianapolis will see the most remark
able convention in all her history happily en-
tertained and its attendance departing to
sing her praises in all parts of the land.
Fifty thousand is moderate estimate when
we consider that in Indiana and the four
States that touch her borders there is a
Methodist population OF more than three mil
lions. and that all official organs and unof-
fetal papers are advertising this city and
heralding the convention among full twenty
millions of Methodist members and adher-
ents- The hosts are stirring. The city will
De crowded to its utmost capacity. Let all
worthy welcome"
Every State on either side of Indiana is,
9eno mi tionally, Methodist. Indiana alone
Leaguers. In the United States and Canada
there are 100000 Methodists. Very nearly
5,oOOO or these are In the three denomina-
There are over 100000 of Epworth
Leasuers. There have been three interna-
tionai conventions and each succeeding one
has had a large increase. numerically. j.
X. L.. Starr, chairman OF the finance COM
mittee of the Toronto convention, has
written in these words: we reckon that
about forty thousand people came to To-
ronto during the convention and 1 do not
think that there is any doubt but that they
lett, on 9, very moderate estimate, 100000 in
The Methodist press from Nova Scotia to
San Francisco, representing circulation of
5OO,OOO weekly, has been, and Is yet, exploit
The Methodist Episcopal Church South has
never had such enthusiasm as now. The
General Conference of that church has off,
cially recognized the International move
ment, and that means general interest.
Georgia alone will have a special train with
one coach fitted up especially for music.
L. Bacon, ID. d., is the chairman. must have
a more hearty response from the people.
they want accommodations yet for twenty
ration committee, of which NJ j. 3. Me-
Nicely is the chairman, has a stupendous
task, and 1t is impossible, for the committee
to decorate the city. The business men must
do that. The bileting committee, of which
the Rev. William A. Quale, d. D., is the
chairman, has the responsibility of provid-
ing free entertainment in the best homes of
the city for all the speakers who come as
special guests. The homes are not opening
up. The finance committee, Of which Mr..
w. {. Van Arsdal Is chairman, is meeting
with some success; but not that which 1t
must have. The financial expense attached
TO such monstrous convention cannot be
borne by the convention itself. The commit
tee needs bona fide subscription of Sl2, 900.
1t was close contest in bringing this
convention here, but Indianapolis won out
In great style. Toronto was full of enthu-
siastic leaguers booming cities in various
parts Of the country. Greater New York
was on hand with an able array of divines
and business men, who presented the advan-
tages of that metropolitan city, with its
wave-washed shores and seaside resorts by
way OF diversion, and its numberless at
sites and stately buildings crowded with
world famous business interests. Boston
and Baltimore were also desirous of the
honor should it be assigned to the Atlantic
coast. From far-off Seattle came delega-
ton bearing paintings of sublime noun
tains and stupendous waterfalls and pic
tLresque gleDS which they used to great ef-
feet through public display. They were
backed at heavy expense by civic bodies,
ana felt sure the prize was oh IN their heir grasp
lars, pins, badges, and as fine corps OF
workers as any city could turn out. Dem
yer, too, stood proffering everything in the
way of scenery, and shaking a $4,000 check
in the face of the programme committee
10 be used by them as they. chose for pre-
sented their claims. indianapolis was heard.
The committee in charge of the invitation
vas composed of Presiding Elders II. j..
Talbot, j. w. Duncan and Revs. j. A. Sar-
gent. j. T. O'Neil, T. j. Cocks and c. c.
Lasby. Because of his acquaintance with
the persons who had the power OF decision,
the management fell quite largely into the
hands OF Rev. MIR. Lasby who Is the only
member of that committee now resident In
the city. From his account 1t appears that
the work was thoroughly divided and be-
ing strongly reinforced by the president of
the State Epworth League Mr.. Frank Bar
bour, of Evansville the various phases of
1otf ion RI n a Ia
of meeting and homes for entertainment
we're clearly presented. The absence OF
sightseeing attractions was emphasized.
end the fact that the closing year OF a
dying century should be marked by con-
vention of unusual religious fervor was
urged at length The beauty and attrac-
tiveness and renowned hospitality OF In
dianapolis were again and again presented
aud although the committee had little imam
cial inducements 10 offer, being compelled
to pay the bills incurred on that trip from
their own pockets. and without any specific
authority to pledge a dollar towards the
expenses of the general programme commit
tee SO excellent was their showing and so
eloquent their pleas that the convention
Among the strong points advocated was
that the invitation conveyed assurances or
a widespread desire on the part OF state
and municipal authorities. as we'll as from
business associations and ministerial meet
ings thus giving dignity 10 what might
otherwise seem like shrewd business adj
vertising scheme. or sratifcation or inter-
national pride.
FOUR MEN TO HOLD HER.