Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/72

 which with its gardens, stands beautifully situated upon the lake under the temples of Parbati Hill. Further it was decided that, looking to the national importance of the movement, and the wide support it had received in all parts of India, the Conference should formally assume the title of the Indian National Congress. Unfortunately, a few days before the time fixed for the assemblage, several cases of cholera occurred in Poona; and it was considered prudent to transfer the meeting to Bombay. Thanks to the exertions of the Bombay Presidency Association, and the liberality of the managers of the Goculdas Tejpal Sanscrit College and Boarding House (who placed the grand buildings above the Gowalia Tank at the Association's disposal), everything was ready by the morning of the 27th of December 1885, the date when the representatives began to arrive. Thus it happened that Bombay had the honour of holding the first session of the "Indian National Congress," while Calcutta provided, as the first President, Mr. W. C. Bonnerjee—the wise head and firm hand, that took the helm when the good ship was launched.

Now looking back at the proceedings of this first Congress, we must be struck by the success which, though long delayed, ultimately attended the definite claim which formed the core of the resolutions, viz., the prayer for substantial popular representation on the Indian Legislative Councils. It will be well to reproduce in full this memorable resolution, which (a good augury) was moved by the Hon. K. T. Telang C.I.E., seconded by the Hon. S. Subramania Iyer, and supported by the Hon. Dadabhai Naoroji. It was No. 3 on the Congress programme, and ran as follows: "Resolved.—That this Congress considers the reform and expansion of the Supreme and existing Local Legislative Councils, by the admission of a considerable proportion of elected mem-