The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1913-12-05
chautauaua at the WhippIe Lot.

70 Lue InduJduqlh III Union Jtty at Tue
City Hall last Friday night it was de-
cided TO change the location of the Chau-
tauqua meeting this year back to the
Whipple woods lot ON the western border
of the city just west OF the Catholic
Church on Church street. A few weeks
ago the advisory committee OF the Busi-
ness Mems Club, which has heretofore
acted in behalf OF the city in making
contracts and arranging for the Chau-
tauqua, selected the fair grounds as the
proper place for the Chatauqua meet
ing this yean with the idea in view OF
making it permanent place OF meet
ing. There was decided protest against
this move, and as consequence the
meeting was called to arrive at the wishes
OF the ticket holders and guarantors.
Quite number of representative citi-
zens were present and after considerable
parliamentary attacks and pointed re-
marks vote was taken, which resulted
largely in favor Of the Whipple lot This
action was made unanimous, and the
committee instructed to act accordingly
The fact was developed that many had
purchased tickets last year with the un-
Outstanding that the place OF meeting
would be the same, and that argunent
was almost altogether instrumental in
causing return to the Whipple lot.
This place, OF course, is little nearer
from the business center OF the city,
probably one-third, but the committee
had selected the fair grounds on the
idea that they we're public grounds, free
OF cost, with plenty Of driveways, shade,
water and other necessary conveniences
and accommodations. The committee
acted for what was thought to be best
under the circumstances. The public,
however, seemed to be very much dis
satisfied, and so the Chautauqua will be
held again this year at the Whipple lot.
The fact OF the business is that the
larger Chautauqua organizations do not
hold their meetings in the city limits.
Many OF the associations have bought
or leased grounds Of numbers Of acres
Just across the city suburbs. OF course
numbers OF these are reached by trolley |
lines. They have some accommodations
we have not. But we have better
automobile road to the fair grounds than
we have to the Whipple lot. It is
little more convenient to walk to the
Whipple lot in many cases, but large
majority OF those who attend the Chau-
tauqua will ride to the grounds whether
the meeting is at the fair grounds or the
Whipple lot
What we are saying now Is not to
argue against the Whipple lot, but to
show why some suitable grounds with
ample accommodations should not be
made public reservation or leased for
permanent annual Chautauqua meet
ings at this point. We suggest or rather
believe that vote should be taken at
the meeting this year just before the
close, or rather when most Of the ticket
takers are present as to what their wishes
are in the matter. They are the people
who should decide the question. Last
year a number Of those who were selling
tickets declared ep1phatically that the
lChautauqua would be failure fheld at
the Whipple lot, and some OF us had
terrible time showing why the jockey
lot was out Of the question. The writer
took it upon himself alone to 60 out and
look up lot somewhere that would
take the place OF the jockey yard, and
the Whipple lot was the only place that
could be found that was practical, out
side Of the fair grounds, and the fair
grounds we're not considered at all by
the committee last year. Everybody
now knows that the jockey yard would
have dismissed the Chautauqua senti-
ment in Union City entirely. No speak
er or musician either cares to enter a
meeaphone contest with the rumblings
and shriekings Of switching freight
trains.
We hope that the Chsulauqua meet
ings viii be made permanent institu-
sion ia Union City The first meeting
ing was a great success, and il the re-
turn engagement is Is good there is no
doubt that the meetings win continue.
50 let's get some suitable grounds that
csn be made permanent. and let the
ticket takers Of one Of tbs large audi
encea vote On the matter. |