The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-06-18
Fourth Of July Committee Abandons
Plans For The Celebration and
ROasts Business Men.
CITIZENS CLASSED AS "BIGOTS.' I
Committee Falls to Secure Amy Support For
the Celebration In Kenosha and Money
... Will Be Returned to Contributors.

The city Of Kenosha will not cele-
brate the Fourth of July. This deci-
sion was reached by unanimous vote
Of the committee Friday night and the
plans for the celebration we're aban-
doned. In connection with the aban-
Comment of the plans the committee,
through the chairman, Fl. G. Schultz,
has sent out the following caustic
letter:
TIC the Public:
The Fourth of July committee Of
1908 have, by unanimous vote Friday
night, decided to abandon the arduous,
self.imposed duties of celebration on
that day for lack Of support. It ap-
pears that there are two classes of citi-
zens who must be approached in order
to insure success lin such an undertak-
ing namely patriots and bigots. The
committee, as constituted this year,
was, without doubt, one of the best
ever got together for the purpose Of
handling other peoples money and to
expend it in manner where every
cent would not only count, but be ac-
counted for.
AS is usual with this committee,
every contributor would be given credit
for whatever amount contributed. n
accounting published in some news,
paper after the Fourth, and every cent
expended and for what purpose would
also be found in the final report. The
members of the committee had sub
scribed amounts ranging from SIS to S1O
each, besides giving their valuable
time for mostly the benefit Of others,
who acted under misapprehension Of
the facts or else supposed that the com
mittee would be energetic enough to
secure the money for the celebration
without their aid and thus enrich them
without the expenditure Of cent.
The mem bers of the committee re-
fused to stand abuse, and subterfuge
in their capacity Of patriotic citizens
Of Kenosha, while celebrating the
Glorious Fourth in commemorative of
that men1ora bic day, which issued the
declaration to the whole world that
this country shall be free and inde-
pendent; and to the events of which
every citizen. sof this grand country
should manifest his Joy, and bless that
day for thes good it has done to every
citizen here, aud as an example TO the
world at large.
But the present conditions have
changed much Of this patriotism into
selfish greed, and the question con-
tinually occurs to the soliciting com
mittee, "Why, what am going to
make out of it?''
These narrow-minded bigots cannot
get it into their shallow pates that a
public celebration Of any kind, in any
city, must necessarily benefit all of its
citizens, directlys OF indirectly. When
we have celebration here our people
stay here, spend their money here, in
vite friends from elsewhere, and they
spend their money here. Some say
the saloons get it all. I doubt this.
They undoubtedly'get a good share Of
1t, butfne grocer, butcher, baker, dry
goods m an, hardware man all are called
upon for extra goods, in order to en-
terrain visitors and make a good APP
pearance on that day. Because the
money stays here.collections are also
better, far better than if the money
spent here was spent away from here,
as we all know sKenoshas people are
pretty good travellers.
The committee desires3 to return
thanks to all citizens of the city who
contributed funds and encouragement
during the canvass. The only reason
for the abandonment of the plans was
the fact that the committee was unable
to furnish the people what they had
promised.
H. c. SCHULZ,
For the Committee