The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-01
PORTLAND MECHANICS.
l5th Tricnnial Festival of the Maize
Charitable Mechanics, Association.

the 18th Triennial Festival of this successful
and benifcent organization. The main hal
was filled with tables. running the full length
upon which were spread a sumptuous supper
prepared with all the taste and variety of tina
we'll known caterer, Mr.. ID. w. Lucy, 1854 Con
gress street. and ornamented with PROPULSION
of flowers brought by the ladies, who take al
much pride liz the association as their husbands
and fathers.
A little after eight the company, which must
have numbered nearly 400, wereI quietly seated
at the tables and called to order by the Pres
dent, Luther f. Pingree, Esq.,, who introduced
Hon. G. P. Kimball, who was received with ap
plause, and who proceeded to give the origin
and progress of the society. The following is a
mere outline of the most important historical
points:
Mr.. Kimball spoke Of the condition Of Port
lard in the year 1914, and said it was more like
camp than commercial or manufacturing
city. Yet the patriotic mechanics of that time
did not forget that some effort should be made
for their improvement. On the 10th day of
Jan. 1915, they met to the number OF 8? and
laid the foundation of this noble society: This
was nearly sixty years ago. yet three OF them
still live to enjoy the fruits of their early labors.
AT the end of the first year they had 1O3 mem
bers. Portland was then little town, a viii
lage of few thousand inhabitants only. At
the end of the first year they celebrated their
anniversary with a procession, &c. In 1920
they saw the necessity of library for the i'm
provement and culture of themselves and their
apprentices. On the 4th of July of that year
they had celebration and Chas s. Daveis de-
livered an address. A collection was taken up
and $4S.S5 realized. That was the nuceussof
the present valuable library of over 1000 vol
umes. They were the first to move in the great
cause of temperance, aud as early as 1879 they
chose a committee to visit all the mechanics in
the city and see if they would not cease the
practice of giving grog to their workmeh. A
favorable report was made and the question
was taken by yeas and nays. and there were 80
yeas and nay. The association has lived up
to that high standard of temperance ever since.
He spoke of the great value of the temper
ance committee and charity committee to the
members, and referred to the great fairs they
held and the success that has attended them.
The first was in 1926, second IN 1888, third in
1854 and last in 1859. In July, 1855, they
moved from their quarters in the old City Hall
and Elm streets. From that day started new
life. When the agent of the new hall (Which
we learn was Mr. Kimball himselG made his
report in July 1856, to the effect that the elo
CANT hall which they had occupied for the past
year with so much pleasure and comfort, had
profit of more than tw o hundred dollars for the
association, the report was received with great
pleasure by the association. Chas. j. Barbour
at once moved that committee be appointed
to take idto consideration the propriety of
building new hall of their OVID. That was
the starting point of our elegant building, that
we all now contemplate with such pride.
The committee were appointed, and reported
and advised favorable action. The members
and the people all came nobly to the work, and
on the 22d of October, 1857, the corner stone
was laid with pomp and ceremony. The build
ing was completed in January, 1859, and on the
I'D OF February the event was celebrated with
grand supper. But it left the association $685.
900 in debt, placing heavy load on their shout
ders. In 1860 the late lamented N. A. Foster
was one Of our Representatives in the Legisla-
ture, and by his great efforts succeeded in get
ting township of land for the association.
This land was sold for eleven thousand dollars,
and the money put into sinking fund under
the management of Hon. Charles Holden, aud
never was money made to work harder or more
necessarily. The interest on the debt was kept
paid, and the sinking fund continued to grow
until the first day of January, 1874, when Mr..
Holden was prepared to announce to the asso-
citation that the last debt was paid, the last
bond burned up, the association free and inde-
pendent. Mr. Kimball gave great credit to all
the members, but considered it his duty to say
that to Hon. N. A. Foster and Hon. Charles
Holden this association is more largely indebt-
ed than to any others for their magnificent
building, the proud monument to the mechanics
of Portland.
The address was listened to with undivided
attention throughout the half hour which it
occupied. Mr., Kimball spoke without notes
and without apparent effort. 1t was just the
address for the occasion and freshly brought to
the minds of those present the fact that from
r o II ;ctor o;t Al.
have been foremost in every reform and in
every effort to diffuse wider culture and a
higher civilization. The audience showed their
appreciation of Mr.. Kimball's remarks by f1e.
quent applause.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Kimballs remarks,
the President called upon Rev. Mr.. Hayden to
say grace, after which the company were invit-
ed to partake freely, which invitation was cor
daily accepted as the supper was an excellent
one and the hour somewhat late
President Pngree allowed his associates and
guests good season for the disposition of the
supper, after which he called upon Mr.. John
B. Coyle for song. Mr.. Coyle came forward
and, in a voice we'll known and appreciated by
the musical people of Portland, sang ''Colum-
bias the gem of the Ocean," the pleased andi-
ence joining in the chorus. Mr.. Coyle took his
seat, but the long continued storm of applause
brought him out again andthe sang the "Porter
Song from Martha, which was received with
equally warm applause.
The President then introduced Hon. Charles
Holden as toast master, who, it need not be
said, performed that rather difficult part in a
most happy manner. The toasts were as fol
lows:
Our Triennial Festiuag.-The 18th of the Sc.
ries. There have been periods when the cele-
bration was solemn affair, as the association
might possibly be on its last legs and enjoying
its funeral feast. But that it is firm on its pins
now, will be proved by President Pingree.
Responded to by Mr.. Pingree in very appro.
pirate remarks, in which he paid warm tribute
to the services of Mr.. Holden, as the chief Fl
nancier of the association.
Our Inuiled Guests-Few and far between
like angels visits, but what they come short in
quantity will amply be redeemed in quality.
Charles Fl. Fling. Esq, President of the Mer-
camille Library Association, was called upon to
respond to this sentiment, which he did in
brief, well chosen words, closing with the senti
ment: 1.-THE Maine Charitable Mechanics AS.
SoCtIsIod, may ilo lutuIo Uo DIS SuICcSSiul as III
past has been worthy"
Our Honorary Men,bers.-They honored us in
our time of need, we are proud to honor them
in our days of prosperity.
Responded to by John Neal, Esq, honorary
member, in a very felictious speech, full o
bright things, some of which wee not compl
mentary to the skill of our mechanics as archi
tects.
The Silent Man.-Speech is silver, but silence
is gold, as has been often proved when the tn
multuous crowd have been quieted by the silent
mans voice. The silent man of this associa
ton will illustrate the point by speaking just al
this nick of time; and this is Bro. Dan. Car
penter.
Mr.. Carpenter responded in way to save hi
reputation, and was warmly applauded.
Tenlperdr,ce-It needs no struggle at any pr
mary meeting to keep liquor off these tables
That has been and will be no longer. Temper
ance is stamped upon the countenance of ou
brethren as the signet of king to the proc
lamation for larger liberty for the people, clear
lofty, and enrolling, to be read of all men.
Responded to by G.. L. Bailey, ESQ, in fit
ting remarks.
Charity: Let it be borne in mind that this i
the Maine Charitable Mechanics Association
Charitable is the second adjective in the phrase
preceding that of Mechanic: ''If thy brothe
hunger, give him FOOD is the spirit of th
great command. If we do not heed it, W