Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-01-27

made a happy speech. He spoke Of .
the four lat years c. .Iayor Rodgers.
He had prospered and the city mad
prospered. He expressed the hope to
successfully follow in his footsteps
and come out as the proud owner OF
two red automobiles. Rodgers had
passed the buck to his successor on
the water question. UaughterJ. We
are going to put perfectly pure water
into everybody's house, but can we
make them drink it? Salem is on the
map and will stay on the map and
we will make it better and better.
Chas. B. Merrick was introduced as
a man of many parts and much parts.
He read letter from Heppner Ore
gon, that created great amusement at
the expense of President Perry.
Mr. Merrick was very well received
and is remembered as the man who
five years ago took up the organiza-
tion of the state merchants associa-
tion. He stated that the papers read
at this convention were the best that
were ever produced at similar gath
ering. The development all received
as the result of touching elbows at
these gaterings was of incalculable
value.
Hon. Ben Selling, who sold knee
pants to Mayor Rodgers and other
prominent citizens was called out and
confessed to having sold wares since
1868. In those days it was considered
smart to overcharge and short weight
customers. The same goods were
sold 40 years ago at all kinds of
prices. But the standard of mer-
camille morals has been raised. The
opportunities for making money were
greater than ever before.
r. Alexander, of Pendleton, de-
clined to talk, but the crowd insisted
on hearing the grand old merchant of
Eastern Oregon. He did not know
anything about the impurity of Salem
water. Uaughter.) He told the con-
vention that he had never attended a
gathering where so much pleasure
and courtesy and hospitality was be-
slowed upon the visitors as had been
done at Salem. He went to Portland
frequently and there was no hotel
service there superior to the Marion.
He had received splendid attentions
at the hands of Senator Patton. With
boost for Astoria, where he former
ly resided, he concluded a very happy
address. Mayor Rodgers explained
that the only reason why Patton had
shown him so much kindness was be-
cause Patton was on the water wagon
and Alexander was not Oaughter)
Rev. Father Waters was next and
made a happy impression. He hand
ed Senator Kellaher a bunch on the
Oregon system of raising prices (the
Merchants association) He took a
fall out of Alexander on Pendleton
for being mayor four times and then
the city went dry. On the Astor Cen
tennial he waXed eloquent. What
should not this country do to honor
the event that planted the flag of our
country over Oregon? The treaty OF
Client decided that wherever the flag
floated over fortiication before the
war of 1912, the territory should be-
long to the country whose flag was
planted there. His remarks were re-
ceived with great applause. J. l.
Stockton, veteran merchant, CLOSED
the happy event of the season. He
eomplimented the visitors on being 6
jolly lot of good fellows. He told
, how the middle class of Salem bust
ness men had dug up the money tt
rebuild the Hotel Marion which wa.
disgrace to the city for many years
I Then another group of business mer
had dug up $4,000 for the furniture
and the dishes and the silverware tt
make this house the splendid success
+ it was now admitted to be by every
travelling man in the state. Mr.
/, Stockton Cas very happy in his con
, cluding remarks that closed the mos
= successful banquet or the season.