The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-04-08
sECRETARY's REPORT.

sECRETARY's REPORT.
From the report of the secretary, r. B.
Swift, we learn that there have been held dur
ing the past year twelve stated and one special
meetings; three were adjourned for want of
quorum. The government has held twelve
stated, four special and one adjourned meeting,
and five of their meetings were adjourned for
want of quorum. Hobart W. Richardson
and Elisha Higgins have been elected mem
bers, Seven deaths have been reported:
Thomas f. Cummings. John B. Cummings, Ga
briel Marks, Samuel d. Waite, Benjamin
Ilsley, Joshua Dunn and Jonathan Smith
There were 3S4 members at date of last report;
two have been added and seven lost by death,
making the present number 379. The assess.
ments have been paid and no notes presented
for payment. The triennial festival and the
course of lectures and concerts the past sea-
son were great successes. President Slack of
the Massachusetts association, honored the
hrst with his presence and made a happy
speech The drawing school has been held as
usual. but the free hand class dispensed with
REPORT ON LIBRARY
L. B. Smith, from the committee on the
library, reported that the library contains AIS
volumes, not including Congressional reports
There have been 68 books and periodicals add
ed the past year, and 1853 members or their
representatives have drawn out 6975 volumes.
The cost of maintaining the library the past
year has been:
Books and periodicals purchased. SlO4.73
Repairing and binding .................. BLOC
oaiaiies ''..'.'...........'..... 10000
s235.82
A new catalogue is needed as none has been
printed since 1875, and the only complaint
made has been owing to the want of a COM
plete catalogue. The librarians have been most
efficient
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOLS
Mr.. S. R. Leavitt, from the committee on
schools, reported that owing to the smallness
of the appropriation they were compelled to
discontinue the free-hand drawing class and
were unable to employ two teachers in the
other classes. Mr.. Wilson Sprague was en-
gagged to conduct both classes at 800 for the
term. Two classes were opened, one in me-
chanical and one in architectural drawing.
The term commenced Nov. 90, and would have
closed March %, if stormy weather had not
compelled postponement some nights so that
the school will finally close tomorrow night
Sixteen evenings have been devoted to each
class, eighteen pupils in the mechanical and
fifteen in the architectural class. Average at
tendance, former class ten, and latter class
nine. Progress of scholars good. 1t is hoped
the future appropriations will be large enough
to continue the popular and valuable free-hand
school.
RELIEF COMMITTEE.
The relief committee through F. E. Pray
reported $3.50 paid for the relief of two mem
bers the past year, and the funeral expenses of
another. Only one member is now receiving
benefit.
LECTURE COMMITTEE.
The lecture committee spoke of the success
of their course and suggested a vote of thanks
be tende red to all who volunteered their
services. The society passed the vote.
Tbo al mi of;o
ensuing year:
President Daniel Hamblen.
Vice President-Richard Cole
Secretary-R. B. Swift.
Treasurer-A. f. Gerrish
Directors-J. Knowlton, j. B. Coyle, Jr., Fl.
G. Noyes ?. W. Neal, D. G. Drinkwater and
N. e. Redlon.
Relief Committee-Ward 1, A. H. Waite
ward 2, q. G. Griffin; ward 8, Joel Whitney;
ward 4, J. R. Hawkes. ward 5, F. I. Brett
ward 6, G. Fl. Blake; ward 7, F. E. Pray.
Five new members were elected.
After the election of the officers, Mr.. j.
A. Giddings, the retiring president, spoke as
follows:
The caution S traveller on a strange road is
always partic ular to note every milestone he
passes to asce rtain if on the right course, and
II sat lsfactory progress is being made. This
assocl alton, on its journey, has reached the
sixty fifth annual election of its officers, and
it bee ONES us at this time to examine It's stand
ing and determine if as much has been accom-
plished for mechanics as could reasonably be
expected, and while we plan for the future
resolve that our institution shall grow in use.
fitness and be the instrument of greater good.
About sixty-siX years ago the M. G. NJ Asso-
citation was established in this city. This
young tree of knowledge required many wears
OF careful training, and now we OF this genera
ton are enabled to pluck fruit from its spread
ing branches, and it is our duty to SO cultivate
ana prune as to insure an annual increase. To
do this, however wise may be our plans, with
out unity all our efforts will prove futile ga
house divided against itself cannot stand"
and congratulate you that if in the past there
have occasionally seemed to be seeds of bitter
ness springing up the closing year has been
unusually free from such indications. Our
meetings have been harmonious and the
brethren ca reful in their deliberations to re-
gard the feelings of each other. The various
means for mental improvement during my
results compare favorably with previous years.
Notwi thstanding the large sum paid by the as
ISOLATION for the accident to the Barker lad,
the school has continued, giving all mechanics
In the State an opportunity to perfect them
selves in mechanical and architectural draw
ing. A very interesting course of free lee
lures the past winter has been we'll patronized,
the usual addition of books to the library
made, and quite an amount has been required
to make long needed repairs and relieve indi-
gent members. Still we ars not impoverished,
demonstrating that our tree has become SO
firmly rooted that no trifiing breeze will de-
molish it. 1 now extend my thanks to the
officers and various committees for the fidelity
and efficiency which has characterized the dis
charge of their many duties, and the members
OF his association have my sincere acknowl-
edgements for their assistance in the discharge
OF my duties, and their promptness to cover
with the mantle of charity all imperfections,
and | assure you that it has been my endeavor,
in all my acts, to be impartial. now pass to
my successor, brother Daniel Hamblen, whom
you have chosen to preside over your delibera-
lions, the emblems and responsibilities of this
office, believing tn at the interests of the NJ. G.
M. Assoc iation will be carefully guarded, and
through the instrumentality Of such officers
prosperity guaranteed for the future.
President Hamblen appropriately responded,
and al the close of his remarks, by invitation
of Mr.. Giddings, the society passed up
stairs to the banquet hall where an elegant
collation. was enjoyed.
Riddles Readings.
The Boston Daily Advertiser says of re-