Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-03-07

the following list of officers. which was
approved by the meeting:
| vICK-PREsIDENTs.
John n Pomeroy, ID e Linsley,
John b Hollenbeck. W q Shaw.
Dan Lyon, { ii B!odgett,
Ii p Hickok, CD Alger,
W Carpenter, Il Ware,
Lawrence Barnes, Ia Hopkins,
| Harry I,oomis. CT Ward,
L Phelps, TAFT,
NJ ii Buckham, ID Z Barber
b b Smalley, b alker,
LB Enrlesby, Daniel Roberts.
Parker. Oh Walker,
l. s Drew, VIM Henderson.
TIE Wales,
| SECRETARIES.
W Ii Root. W A Cfombie.
| Allen. b Derby,
Seneca Haselton. l. Ii Turk.
Hon. William G. Shaw then addressed the
meeting as follows:
JUDGE SHAW REMARKS.
| Judge Shaw alluded to this large and
| almost spontaneous gathering OF the cItl-
zens of Burlington, as marking an occasion
| of no common interest. Enjoying some-
1
| which the most sanguine did not hope to
| see for years to come. We meet to express
our appreciation OF the liberality OF the
man who has provided for our city place
| so fitted to inspire and enhance the elo-
oepce of the orator, the melody OF the con-
cert, the rich harmOnies OF the opera, the
p.nius of the dramatic artist Who is the
man to whom We owe this? Mr.. John p.
Howard is native of Burlington. lie was
born on the day of the Battle of Plattsburgh
| on the lIth of September, lSl4. lie was
| the son of the late John Howard, "Uncle"
John Howard as We love TO call him, who
came here in 1912, with his wife and young
| family, and for some 80 years kept the
Howard House on the north side OF the
SQUARE, till it was burned about A. d.,
1915. Unce John Howard was uni
versaly respected. man of the highest in-
| teprity, Il painstakiug host kind to the
| popr ard unfortunate, but keen in the per-
| suit and exposure of the swindler or crlmi-
nal. Here John p. Howard grew up to
early manhood, protiting by the example OF
| his fathers probity, industry and thorough
performance OF duty. In 1884, when 30
wears of age, Mr.. Howard went to New
| York city, carrying his entire worldly
possessions, a. he likes to relate. In
| band box, the bottom OF which dropped
out as he entered city hotel, exposing his
meagrc possessions. His property could
hardly be put in a band boz now. Mr.. How
ard soon alter went into the employment OF
his brother, d. ID. Howard, and of our
townsman Dan. Lyon, who then kept the
Exchange Hotel, little off from Broadway.
The Howard Brothers aiterward became
proprietors of the Howard House, corner OF
broadway and Maiden Lane, in which they
won golden opinions and made the house
| famous. They next took the Irving House
further up Broadway, enlarged 1t to meet
| its increasing business till its slzo was
doubled, and kept it till 1854, when they
retired from business. Since then John T.
Howard has been an extensive traveller
throughout our own and many foreign
lands. He has not lived here for !orty-fye
wears; but through all these years he hiss
carried with him the memory of his native
place. lie has shown his attachment to it
by many benefactions The Home for des-
ttute children, supported by the Christian
| devotion of our ladies. has been largely
benefited By his generosity. The College
Green is adorned by the beautiful fountain
erected by him. lie has been bountlful
contributor to the enlargement and i'm
provement of one Of our churches, as well
as to the expensive addition to the church
grounds, while its valuable organ was
entirely his gift The cemetery, by our
lake. owes its largest fountain and Its
stately gateway to him The business part
of our city Is adorned BY the splendid block
of stores which he has just erected and to
crown the whole he has with unstlnted
liberality provided for Us this most delight
ful of public halls.
How valuable an improvement and benefit
this is to our city can only be appreciated
| by ourselves, who have suffered so long
from the old City Hall, with its bare
and defaced walls, and Its awkward gal
leries, with its dust and its Crime, with
its echoes and its od0rs, with Its IN
sufficient stage and its meagre stage
scenery and its hard and wearisome seats.
Used indiscriminatey for ward caucuses.
city meetings, negro mlnstrelsy, party
conventions and poultry shows-of doubt
full safety at times, but OF most certain
discomfort, it was all We had Tor public
assembly, for the eloguence Of the plat
form, the charm Of music. or the delight
and education Of the drama. Think of the
contrast between that and this-these de-
licate tints, this luxurious drapery, this
trsnscendently beautiful dome, these capa-
cious and comfortable seats, these carpeted
aisles this brilliant illumination, this
broad stage with Its elegant scenery, the
perfect acoustic success, the harmony and
adaptation of every part
Mr.. Howard has not lavishe1 his money
in this way for his own profit. 1t Is i'm
possible that this house should be a paying
investment, for years to come. knowing
this well. he has yet placed 1t here. L. Is
here for our benefit, not his. In all respects
it is perfect success-a perfect hall. indie
pendent of what of art and elcquence and
beauty 1t msy contain, 1t Will be OF Itself
continual educator and refiner.
Mr.. Howard, as have said, has travelled
long and far. lie has crossed the ocean
over twenty-five times and extended his
journeyings through South America, and
under the pyramids in Egypt. and in
other foreign lands but belIeye he would
still say OF his bOyhood home, like Gold
smiths Traveller, Where'er | roam
whatever realms to see, my heart, untrayel
led, fondly turns to thee We do well to
gather here to express to him our sincere
gratitude. Applause
On motion Of j dge shaw a committee on
resolutions was appointed a. follows;
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
&. G. Benedict. George Ii. Bigelow, c.
W. Woodhouse, Daniel Murray. W. s.
Vincent, Edward Wells.
During the absence of tho committee the
band played fine selection. The commit
tee then reported, through Hon. g. G.
Benedict. as follows:
RESOLUTIONS.
l. Resoired. BY the citizens Of Burlington, assem-
blod 10 the Howard Opera House. that recOg-
nize the fact that tho beautiful structure IN which
we are gathered. was not and could not have been
erected by its owner as a profitable Investment
but that his chief motive was TO render service to
the city of his birth.
= Rcsoired That we cordially appreciate the
generous public spirit and kindly regard Tor the
inhabitants OF his early home. shown by NJ r.
Howard in this, As well as in many other ways
that We cordially rcciprOcate that regard and that
we hereby tender to him most hearty thanks.
). R,s0hsd, That tins Opera House, in It's com
mOdOus proportions tasteful appointments,
thorough con truction and complete adaptation To
its purpose is credit to il, build"r- and to the
liberal hand which has provided the means for its
erection that 1t supplies want long felt by our
citizens, and that II cannot but prove a constant
source OF pleasure and prom. to this community.
1. HesOttsd, That we glad to connect the name
of Howard, 20 long respected among u. with this
elegant nsuse ami that W. trust II may long re
main. o. be a pride and ornament Of our city,
home Of true and refining art, and means of lib
efnl culture, and to preserve in grateful remem-
brance TO future generations the nanc Of Jons 7.
HoNAED.
:. Re.oi,eI. That tho secretary bo Instructed to
furnish copy Of these resolu ions to Mr.. Howard,
and 10 supply copies To the Press
The resolutions were received with hearty
applause.
Hon. Henry Ballard then addressed the
meeting.
MR. BALLARD's REMARK
Mr. Chdunan-l rise to move the adop-
ton Of the resolutions. | cordially endorse
them all, and wish that it were possible to
make the language expressive OF our thanks
to Mr.. Howard even stronger than 1t IL.
When. on Saturday evening last. ! re
celye1 notice OF this meeting and its pur-
pose. a. n citizen of Burlington | at once