Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-13
Gardner z0ral Nous.

The meeting of the |. o. G.. T. in this city, CON
mencirg Wednesday, was attended by a very large
number of members and delegates, assembled
from all parts Of the State. During the day the
secret meetings were held, and although notices
of the temperance meeting under the auspices OF
the Grand Lodge of Good TemPars were not Cir
culated until afternoon, dense crowd packed
johnson Hall, Wednesday evening. The plat
form was we'll filled by speakers of the evening,
prominent members Of the Grand Lodge and Re
form Club, and resident clergymen. Ex-Gov.
Nelson Dngley was called upon to preside, when
the meeting opened at half.past seven O'Clock,
and was received with loud and continued APP
plause as he took the chair. Prayer was offered
by Rev. Mr.. Littlefeld of Ninalhaven. Ex-Gov'
Dingley then made an earnest speech, holaing the
close attention of the large audience for thirty
minutes. lie particularly referred to the decided
standpoint occupied by Maine in the temperance
cause, and said he was proud that lis own State
was foremost in the ranks of such a cause. Ex'
Gov. Sidney Perham followed in short but
strong temperance speech. Mr.. J. Bennett An
derson, the English revivalist made an earnest
and characteristic address. Mr.. Anderson had a
large fund of apt sayings and amusing anecdotes.
which greatly entertained his hearers. At the
close of his remarks, he sang the beautiful song
Ninety and nine" in spirited manner.
The chairman then called upon ExJudge Kings
bury of Portland. who made an able and eloquent
address, replete with sound argument and plain,
common sense talk. He spoke in high terms of
the prohbitory law Of Maine as it now stands and
said that the amendments of the last legislature
"clinched the nail" lIe declared that rum deal
els never SO hard pushed in Portland as
now.
Mr.. c. Z. Li,tlefed of Rockani, was intro =
duced. Mr.. Littlefeld is clear and eloquent
speaker, and his remarks were well received. Hc'
too, liked the Maine Law, but one more clause
should be added, prohibiting the sale of "bitters,
some of which he declared had a larger percent
age of alcohol than cider, which was prohibited.
Mrs. Partington gave an interesting account of
her labors in the Middle and Southern States, a
| complete temperance lecture in itself.
Mr.. ii. NJ. Bryant of Lewiston. made earn
est appeal for sgners to the iron-clad pledge Of
the Reform Club. He said the Reform Club
and the Good Templsrs were unit in every es-
sental respect. In the course Of his remarks he
said be thanked God that Gardiner had produced
j. X. Osgood.
Mr.. Osgood then spoke for a quarter Of an
| hour. lie related his experience in the the tenn
perance work and said he was more actively en-
gagged in it now then ever During his four weeks
| trip in New Jersey, IL 800 names had been added
| to the pledge
The meeting closed about 10 o'clock by
singing the Doxology.
After that, quite q number of persons signed
the iron clad pledge. The meeting was the most
interesting ore that has been held here for long
time.
The steam saw mill of the Kennebec Land
| and Lumber Co., in Pit;ston, viii probably stait
| up Monday, April 23d.
The boys trying TO wake up an interest r
base ball this spring.
Mr.. ID. r. Marston and wife have been engag-
ed by the Sclectmen of Piston, TO carry the
town farm this year.
Mr.. j. Bennett Anderson gave a bible reading
in johnson Hall, at hali-past o'clock Thurs
day morning.