Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-02
HAPPY RANDALL MEN
Celebrate the Fifth Anniversary of
the Clubs Formation.
SPEECHES, Music AND A BANQUET
Postmaster Larkin's Good Advice to Young
Men in Politics.
TIE BLAME FOB CORRUPTION PLACED

The house Of the Randall Club, on Sixth
avenue, unusually attractive at all times,
was doubly so last night. The occasion
was the fifth anniversary Of the organiza-
ton of the club, and the place was filed
from basement to garret with smiling MEM
bers and their friends.
In the parlors large crowd had gathered
to enjoy the informal entertainment ar
ranged by the committee. Postmaster
John r. Larkin made q short address. He
reviewed the growth Of the association since
its organization, and then said:
"With those who comprise its membership
the club gives tone, vigor and force as a
political, social and literary organization.
Its aim and objects were the maintenance
and perpetuation of Democratic principles.
The progress of the organization is the best
evidence of its success in that direction.
The political reverses OF 1888, and the vicis-
situdes that follow such reverses, seem
only to have awakened q new interest in
that philosophy that supports the weak,
steadies the vacillating and lures on the
strong, for there has been no halt in your
progress no abandonment of your princi-
Piles, no evasion of duty and no abatement
in the assertion of Democratic doctrine.
SOME EARLY STRUGGLES.
Looking back to the birth Of the club
five years ago, one is amazed at the eel,
industry, self sacrifice and earnest devotion
of the little group Of Democrats, who
organized and stood by it during the early
days Of its existence, and who have since
seen its expanding power and influence for
good; meet the full realization of the hopes
then entertained for it. We should make
the present and future as brilliant as the
past, and give the young men of the party
an incentive to that kind Of organization
that encourages culture, fosters patriotism,
provides for the future, and elevates the
politics of the country.
Properly conducted, political clubs are
of great service to their party. Their
growth and support should be recognized by
every good citizen. The example set in
such club has an influence in molding
character and in bringing out those traits
which often shine in after life as the props
and pillars OF government. The club Is the
training school for young men who like
public life and who must take the pl aces of
the older men OF the country. Here they
get the first impressions of government and
its organization. and of the science, princi-
pies and ramiheations of government. I
know it will be said by many that the field
of politics is not an inviting one, and that
the methods are corrupt and degrading, with
the tendency downward, and that intrigue
has taken the place of craftsmanship. This
is the fault of the people.
ALL CITIZENS SHOULD VOTE.
"Every man in this country who has at
tanned his majority should be compelled to
vote at all elections. To vote intelligently
he should belong to some political club
where questions of government are discussed,
and where men are made familiar with the
methods and art of governing, and where
they may learn to respect the sterling
patriotism and rugged honesty Of the
founders Of constitutional liberty.
ITO the credit OF the club, it must be said,
that those who widely differ with us in their
political views find much pleasure in the
social enjoyments to which they are kindly
invited and as generously participate. The
temper, good sense, taste and general tone
of these entertainments are the outgrowth of
the clubs composition, and are the best
index of its character"
Other addresses were made by Hon. John
O'Neil, A. P. Burgwin, Esq.,, T. O'Leary,
Jr., and others. The Hooper Bros Mando-
lin Quartet rendered some selections.
Profs. Hoffman, H. L. Aland, George E.
Williams and George Berger also contribu-
ted to the musical programme. A banquet
wound up the festivities.
The club was organized in old Ashland
Hall, on Wylie avenue, October 1, 1884.
James j. Flannery was the first President.
He was succeeded by j. E. McCrickart, and
since 1886 j. Pressly Fleming has been the
head OF the association. The club now has
457 members, and will soon move into new
clubhouse of their own.