The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-03-26
Much Interest Taken by
Small Crowd at Meeting
One GREAT OPPORTUNITY
Speakers so Class the Chance
to Bring Factory to Marion.
Many Other Gatherings Detract
From Opera House Meeting to
Boost Auto Project.

Perhaps the first disappointment
which has been felt by the mem
l6ers of the Boosters club OF this
CITY, which is attempting with
might and main to bring the Over
land Automobile works to this city
was the light attendance at the
mass meeting IN the Grand Opera
house Thursday evening. Only the
parquet was filled comfortably and
the speakers of the evening lost no
time in expressing their regret at
this unexpected turn in the tide of
sentiment.
Shortly before eight O'clock
number of the boosters gathered at
the Commercial club and with Bak-
er's band leading the procession,
marched through the principal
house. These boosters composed a
large part of the audience present
and either through lack of interest
or other engagements only hand
! full OF business men and residents
of the city was present.
C. b. Jenkins acted as chairman
of the meeting and in the beginning
he expressed himself disappointed at
the slight attendance. Such an op
portunity as this should be taken
up with great interest he said.
He deplored the numbers, who al
though desiring the works to come
to the city. failed TO come to the
meeting and work. Mr.. Jenkins be-
lieved that the impression had got
ten out that the meeting was for
young men exclusively.
After a few appropriate remarks,
Rodney II. Brandon, who spoke
at the lest mass meeting, was in
troduced by Mr.. Jenkins and gave
very brief talk He took his
hoarers back to the old days on the
plains when the buffalo were about
to leave the territory at the begin
ming OF the winter season, when all
small and pretty things are cast
aside and the whole mass rushes
on toward its own object, that OF
hts own preservation. TThis Is
the spirit which should prevail IN
Marion and every citizen should
work regardless OF petty differences
with those who may be henefted.
he averred. t
Grant e. Mouser was introduced
and gace number of appropriate
remarks, reviewing the need OF
spirit, in such work. He Thought
this the one great opDortunity OF
Marion
10 p, Durfee was introduced ana
gave a highly interesting and in
structive address. He eulogized
Mr.. Benjamin Wadden IN eloquen,
language, naming him as the one
philanthropist of this city, who
has builded alone splendid homes
for children and old ladies.
''Dittle has been done in that line
by most of u.s. said Mr.. Durfee
Mr.. Waddell stands alone and not
one of,ns Is worthy to act as his
bootjack TO pull his boots off. Blu;
by persistent effort we can bring
this automobile works TO this city,
providing homes for a thousand
men, as many women, a thousand
old ladies and three thousand child
nn and l rather think that If we
do that we will be going some"
Mr.. Durfee was loudly applauded
and he was heard through his brief
address with utmost attention. He
was the last speaker from the stage
the meeting at this point being
turned into general debate. Chair
man Jenkins read a letter TO Judge
G. II. Norris, which has been given
publication. He noted that the
shops when erected would extend
as far as from the public square to
Grand Avenue. Mr.. Jenkins spoke
Of the report that the Judge had
sod land to the company and in
defense OF Mr.. Norris stated that
such reports were entirely false,
Addresses were made from the
audience by Messrs. ]. w. Clark
j. II. Balm, T.. X. Uhler, s. b. Lip
pincott, ]. II. oatey. G. B. Copeland
J. B. CUTLERY, Charles Dee and
others, who merely stated their
opinions regarding the movement
Enthusiasm ran quite high through
out the meeting and all OF thu
speeches OF the evening we're re
J markably forceful.
Following the meeting number
went 10 the Commercial club, wheri
they agreed to act as solicitors II
pushing forward this movement
which will mark an epoch in th'
history of this city.