The Portland daily press., 1882-09-08
MECHANIC ASSOCIATION.
Report Of the Committee in Favor of an
Industrial Exhibition.

The special committee to whom was referred 80
much of the Presidents inaugural address as re-
ates to the holding of an industrial exhibition by
this association having had the subject under con-
sheraton beg leave present the following report:
Earlier action by your committee was postponed
for the that it thought net best 10 holi
such an exhibition this year, and that ample time
might be had for advertising our intention another
year was deemed a more suitable time, should the
association deem il wise to ask the mechanical In
terests of Portland and vicinity to aid in fnaugur-
ating and carrying to successful issue in dus-
trial exhi ibition in our city which should not only
present to the pub 10 view the various articles am
ufactured by busy population but 30 lar as may
be- supplement this by an exhibition OF the methods
employed III their actual production.
10 the public this latter is always most astrac
tive feature of concentrated presentation OF me
chanical interests.
The committee argue in favor of an exhibition
next year, as being year in which no election Is
held
For nearly three-quarters of century our asso-
citation has stood not inactive nor silent help 70
civiliz 4tion BY both word and oeed has the world
been the better for its life. To the mechanics Of
our city and measurably to those of the whole
State, has it during that time been a beacon light
Founded ori snally with the view of sending pecu-
mary aid to young mechanics, it soon abandoned
that role, adopting the more lasting useful and pc
nedeent one of extending to it's members that
which is more valuable than mere money-opportu-
ity of intellectual enrichment,to this end gather
ing large library of standard and useful literature
and the establi hment of free public lectures and
debates, open, not only to its members, but to the
citizens generally.
none. and will. doubtless, in the future maintsn
their character for stability and merit For several
years past it has, during the winter months, main
tanned drawing school, free to mechanics from all
parts of the State, wherein may be obtained a
knowledge of drafdng-architectura and meehan-
cal-that cannot fail to be of great and lasting SER
vice to all who may avail themselves of its insruc-
tion. The good we have already accomplished as
an association must be supplemented by continued
off Fort Ia are DO tn rag
may point with some degree OF complacency to
former achievements, but press onward with re-
neWed vigOr intent in the future to vtndlcate our
right still to be.
Comparatively we have large membership
ly four hundred $3.50 but considering the very
large number of mechanics in our city whose names
are not borne upon records it must be confessed
that relatively our numbers are too meagre to ex-
ci q much pride. 1t will be remembered that Presi-
dent Smith stated in his inauguraat the last annual
meeting that the census of $780, showed that OF our
population 5000 were engaged in mechanical pur-
that number for women and children there would
still remain 5000 m chanics eligible to member
ship in our association considerable large proper
ton of this latter number should be and with no
very extraordinary eff rt on our part, might be en-
rolled among
With such an accession to our membership it
would be ficult to imagine what efforts might not
be initiated and carried forward in the interest of
those engaged in mechanical pursuits one occurs to
us which in passing may be excused for noting,
VIA mechanics exchange and reading room TO be
kept open day and evening, in which might readily
be kept all useful Information reatng TO mechanics
and their productions, also the best magazine and
newspaper liturature of the world,-the incalculs-
Bile advantage of which to mechanics no present
foresighs can pretend to determine
The mechanical interest is factor In the make
up of modern civlizato intrnsically meritorious
as not to be overlooked. Whatever develops and
arges its scope of activity rebounds in the benefit
extended to all the interests of society; hence to
awaken the general public and especially those en-
gagged in mechanical pursuits to the transcendant
Importance of this interest Is of the surest
methods of its advancement to accomplish W hich
is duty that lies nearest to this association, and
your committee believe that no method more surely
promises beneficial results than the inception and
success of well considered industrial exhibit, not
only of articles manufactured in city, but of the
methods of their production as WELL so far as may
be practicable.
OF large manufacturing establishments there are
few while of obscure and comparatively
small enterprises engaged in great variety of
mechanical production their humber would astonish
those who have given little thought TO the matter,
all of whose cooperation 1T is believed may De e1-
listed in aid OF rendering such an exhibition de-
served success; thus in a most legitimate manner
advertising their wares considerate patron
age, and at the same time serving to enlarge the
public knowledge of our association, augment our
membership with recruits from this great
ity of whom are doubtless unaware
of the existence of the Maine Charitable Mechanic
Association, and Of its efforts to return to them and
to the general public in forms OF benehcent actlon
toward the welfare of all more than full equiva-
lent for its right TO be. Many of whom would prob
aoly soon seek membership with us increasing their
and our opportunities OF doing and getting glod
enlargiDg our material MEANS and by their e1orts
and adv ce enhancing the associations facilities of
accomplishing favorable results III its chosen sphers
of useful activity.
1t must not be forgotten that our members are
growing old. large majority are either old men
past middle life. This is specially true Of our
more active MEMBERS many of whom are not now
engaged in mechanical callings though taking great
pride in former connections with such.
We need infusion of younger life that shall
bring with it the inspiration of more modern times
l nding strength, activity and Judgment that shall
render our beloved association immortal in world
where only the '.fttest survive"
Your committee, therefore recommend that an
Industrial Exhibition of the mechanic arts, both
as to articles manufactured and the methods of
their production in our city and vicinity, be held
the coming year under the auspices of this associa-
ton.
M, A. BLANCHARD,
EDWARD P. BANKS, Special
EDWARD A. JORDAN,
GEO. q. LITTLEFI ELD, Committee.
DANIEL HAMBLEN.