Morning journal and courier., 1888-06-14
THE snmr-oEsrEnrrAL


 Of The c. Cowles X Go. Manufacfory
 Finely Celebrated Lass Evening.
 Long banquet tables loaded with potted plants and inviting delicacies of all kinds were surrounded by the employees of the large firm of O. Cowles & Co.,, manufacturers of coach trimmings, carriage hardware, etc. !, last evening at Loomis' Temple of Music. It was a banquet given to celebrate the semi centennial of the company, and nearly all of the firms 150 or more employees were pres ent- In the gallery Malone's orchestra fur nished excellent music, and here were also seated ladies of the directors families At the head of the hall sat the stockholders about private table.
 The evening was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. McLane of the College street church, and after the banquet was over President Ruel P. Cowles addressed the as- semblage, speaking among other things as follows: It is saying of Moses that every fifty years should be Q jubilee, and we are here to follow the good advice of Moses. In behalf of the 0. CoHles company extend to you, one and all, scordial and hearty well come.
 After briefly reviewing the history of the business he continued: It is said that there is a46atural antagonism between employer a6d employe. I have no sympathy with this. Although there are different influences be- hind the one than the other their common interest is the same. Yet the course of the officers is the more difficult. They are be- tween two fires. Men want to make good wages and stockholders good dividends and both are hard to please sometimes. If mat ters were investigated there would be found two sides to the question. Ninety per cent. of business men fail. They have great trials no doubt. But if employers and employees should change places it would be the same, fancy. We hear great deal about the good old times.
 Here MT. Cowles went through his early life and showed that the good old days were not so good as they are represented. He con- tinued: will tell you about carriage lamp that am using. It was made by me thir- ty-four years ago. I have used it on five car riages and it will last yet to wear out five more. Now, if we did business that way to- day the business wouldn't be worth any thing. We make good lamps, but the fact is we don't want them to last We want them to wear out so we can make more, and it is so with all business.
 Don't despise small savings. Add up what you spend for this and that and see what it comes to. The workmen of to-day are the best paid, best educated and most intelligent men in the world.
 This is a happy occasion for me, and I hope it is for you. There is little hope of my being here 50 years hence, but if am it wifi be greatly gratifying to meet you all together again.
 At the close of President Cowles' address he was presented with handsome plush easy chair from his employees by MT. William Lines It was complete surprise and pleased MT. Cowles greatly.
 A handsome brass fancy work box about three feet high, with red plush compart- ments. was then presented to MT. Cowles for his wife. It was also from his employees, and MT. A. G. Shell made short presentation speech.
 After a response by Mr. Cowles, Hon. 0. l.. English, director of the company. was called upon for an address in which he urged the men to a close recognition that integrity is the main capital of success, and declared there would be no president and no directors present if this fundamental element had not prevailed with the company from the begin ming.
 Lawyer Henry G. Newton, director of the company, then spoke and expressed pleasure to belong to the firm which was doing so much for the human race by the faithfulness and harmony of it's workmen. He said that the cause of the failure of ninety per cent. of business men was that they earned no more than their workmen and had greater ex- penses.
 Secretary Cowles then followed with an ad- dress in rhyme, and afterward Gen. Greeley, also 8 director, spoke as follows: In this land of America it is possible for any working. man to become a 'sboss" if he gives proper time and attention to business. I was workman and while at work tried to be good workman. I am satisfied with the re- suit. Failure cannot be where employer and employe are in such accord as I find them to- night. The interests of both are identically the same: l am glad to be here, and it is pleasure to see you meet as we have to night.
 Short speeches were also made by Mr. Truman Welles, MT. Edwin Whiting, MT. Cannon, Mir. Nathan Easterbrook, Mr. Dewey and others.
 Mir. J. McGilYrey added to the evenings pleasure with song, "Dawkin's Family" and Charlie Dunlam also sang two pieces.
 As committee for the centennial of 1888, Walter R. Cowles and Arthur T. Welles, both about seven years old, were elected. The little boys stood in & chair and made a man. ly speech of thanks.
 Those seated about the stockholders' table were MT. Nathan Easterbrook, General E. S. Greeley. Mr. W. L. Cowles, Mir. S. E. Elliott, MT. 0. L. English, Mir. R. P. Cowles, Mfr F. w. Walker, Dr. Sears, MT. H. G. Newton, MT. R. E. Rice, Mfr. D. w. Futile, Mr. T. T. Welles, MT. J. G. Leonard, MT. Edwin Whiting, MT. E. s. Dickerman, MT. F. E. Wadsworth, Mir. G. T. Bradley, Mr. J. H. Parish, Mir. Harry Lewis Mrs. F. L. Cowles, Miss Florence Cowles, Miss Mamie B. Bradley, Miss Hattie Willard, Mrs. George T. Bradley, Mrs. H. G. Newton, Mrs. T. T. Welles. Upon the back of the menu programme was the following.