Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-25

would take an interminable time, leaving
scarcely opportunity for any other bust
ness. The names alone were
called after that Clerk Crossman, how
ever, pointed out the record of the senior
member present, Townsend f.. Gridley of
Grand Haven, aged -, whereupon the
house complimented the old gentleman
with a round of applause.
Alpheus =. Felch and Townsend +. Gid
ley are the only survivors of the first legis-
lature who were in attendance at the re-
union. The only others known to be liv-
ing are Isaac l. VOORHEES, of Lapeer Coggs-
well h. Green, formerly OF Niles, now Of
New Hampshire, and Hiram Dodge, for
merly of Clinton, now of Illinois. The
history Of Gov Felch is well known. Gid
ley was very prominent in the early his
tory of the state. He was representative
in the legislatures of 1885, 1896 1888 and
1880 and Senator in 1899, 1910, 1871, 1872 and
1863 an almost unequaled record. In 1851
he was Wig candidate for Governor of
Michigan.
The address of Col. Andrew II. Mercy
noldS, of Grand Rapids, on "Toledo and
the Mexican war from Michigan stand
point was n long discourse which filled
up most of the afternoon. One of the
most striking figures at the reunion is
that of Col McReynolds, who is n veteran
OF two wars, survivor of early legislatures
and hrainy lawyer. He is now long adj
VanCed in the ser6 and yellow of old age
carried one useless arm ever since heroic
days on the soil of Mexico. Every old
resident of Detroit knows the ripe old vet
cran well, as forty and fifty years ago he
was one of Detroit's most prominent
citizens. He wears on his shirt bosom a
cameo pin placed there by Mayor Charles
{. Trowbrdge in 1884, in recognition of his
services 10 the sick and dying during the
fatal cholera season of that year. He has
worn it for fifty-two years through sun
shine and storm-in the halls of the Mon
teZumaS and the swamps of the Chickahom-
my. Gen McReynolds was n member of
the legislature of 1910 from Wayne county
and senator in lS47. He has lived in
Grand Rapids more than twenty-five
years.
At the close of his address Col. Nc
Reynolds spoke of the resolution in favor
OF the Mexican war, passed by the legis-
lature of lS44 with but three negative
votes, saying that it showed the prepond-
erance of feeling of the people on the war
question.
II. b. Lathrop of Jonia. said he was one
of the three that voted against that
resolution, but that his vote was not be
cause he opposed war measures, but be
cause of Objectionable phrases in tho
wording of the resolution itself.
X. W. Landon Of Niles, said he was
present at the passage of the resolution in
question, and was now glad TO learn that
there really was no opposition to it,
The remark was applauded, the audience
being apparently in the mood TO stir up
debate among the veterans of 1917.
The afternoon exercises closed with an
eloquent address 10y Hon VIM T. Wells
the subject being The Legislative Power
in Free Commonwealth" The matter
as well as the manner of Mr.. Wells adj
dress was such as TO win the closest at
tentlon of the audience at the close of n
wearlsome session, and not only 10 win its
attention but 10 evoke the most frequent
and the heartiest applause. IL was a
signal triumph of the power of intellect
and the graces of oratory.
The evening session was opened 10y de-
votlonal exercises. conducted hv Rev.
Welcome W. johnson, of the Legislature
OF $50 Mr.. johnson called for an innova-
ton upon the usual ceremonial. and re-
marking Let us sing the Coronation
Now then. all together, let's 90 in for
good time he proceeded TO line the
hymn:
"All hail the power of Jesus name.
Let angels PROSTATE fall
Bring forth the royal diadem.
And crown Him Lord of all"
Mr.. Johnson led the singing. and all
Joined IN camp meeting style. The address
of Hon. Byron 6. Stout of Pontiac. upon
Agriculture and Stock Breeding. was
thoughtful and scholarly. Mr.. Stout
showed how the march Of modern civiliZa-
ton had brought our farmers face to face
with the competition of other lands TO such
an extent that II might not be hazardous
TO predict that the time was coming when
foreign wheat might bc sold i'm the Atlantic
ports tor less than American wheat could
he delivered there A deduction drawn
from this was the dc,irahlitV of encourag-
ing stock growing and the illimitable field
Tor this industry i'm the United States
The address of Hon. Orlando VI Barnes
upon the state capitol was an interesting
recital OF the legislative battle which re-
suited in the choice of Lansing. The de-
veopment from the forest to the present
beautiful city and magnificent state house
was elOquentlV Sketchcd The address
closed with scholarly review of the wis
dom of the choice and a study of the
Influences of modern travel upon leCiSa-
tion and the dispatch OF business at the
state capitol.
Probably the address most attentivelv
listened 10 was that of Hon ID. l.. Cross
man. for many years clerk i'm the House OF
Representatives. This address recounted
the incidents of legislative "reminiscences
lie told the history of the Senatorial con
tests OF ISL. 1910. 1873 ISL and lSS3. the
of the defeat. of Chandler in
SO was told, and the huctuating. closely
contested match in which the fortunes of
John j Bagley went down in 1879 to 1850
The long struggle of lSS3 in which after
nighty-one ballots and roll calls involving
the repition of 10000 names and the writ
ing out of not less than 10000 votes. in
which l2l different names were balloted
for. resulting in the choice of Thomas A.
Polmer. were wildly told. A joke of A.
Maxwell upon his brother member, Rev
". II. Brockway. was told amid vast
aughter. Anecdotes were related of men,
ber~ of different legislatures.
Volunteer speeches being in order, Rep
reSentative McNabb of Newavgo was
called out. He began by extoling the
hills of Newago, its babbing
brooks and swift rolling rivers declaring
that while he loved Michigan, the center
If his affections was devoted TO his own
He had come to enjoy old ac-
Iuaintance and to enjoy himself with the
boys and was not prepared for speech.
Proceeding then to discourse Of Detroit
is beautiful river and crystal waters and
The obstinacy of its representatives, the
laughter became so great as TO interrupt
the speaker and he sat down leaving his
remarks unfinished.
Ex-Congrcssman Horn was next called
upon, and the rules were suspended be-
cause he objected that not being MEN,
Der he could not speak. He continued,
however, in an entertaining vein to con
trast Michigan audience with n Massa-
chusetts one, and TO descant upon the APP
pearance of the members before him. de-
i