The Portland daily press., 1890-04-30

Gain in numbers in 1889. z
Ten new members have been admitted
since March 9th. The present membership
is FOG. The number of boats owned was not
large enough. Several projects were on
foot, which If carried out would afford a
great deal of pleasure for all members dur.
ing the summer
The chairman-of the committee on enter
tainment then read letters expressing regret
that they were not able to be present from
Mayor Melcher, Hon. A. w. H.:Clapp, who
enclosed $50 as his substitute, C. B. Written,
Commodore Hull Yacht Club, and w. b.
Mcclellan, Secretary Massachusetts Yacht
Club.
Walter G. Emerson, postmaster, said he
had been studying post prandial history, and
had found that the position of POSTMASTER
was created in ancient feasts by some lazy
presiding officer who wanted to shirk disa
greeable duty. To ask man to fill the office
now is to Invite him to the hardest and most
thankless task in the gift of the people, as
the politicians say. In certain organizations
It Is served upon members who are behind in
their dues: So easy and comfortable has the
position OF the post prandial orator become,
however, that they say of him in New York.
drop dinner in the slot and get a speech,
put OF course that does not apply on this oc-
casion. He told an amusing story of jour
nalistic friend, who as he completed fabu.
lous sea yarn, turned to him and said: EN-
erson, that was nothing but an old sunfsh,
but I'm calling 1t sea serpent"
Hon. BENJAMIN Thompson, chairman of
the Board of Aldermen, responded to the
toast, The City," and said he was requested
by the Mayor to extend to the club hearty
congratulations, to assure them that the city
Is deeply interested in the welfare of the or
ganization, and to wish that there may be
continued evidence of prosperity Our city
is magnifcently situated; it is the joy of all
OF us, and 1t is joy to all who come among
us. Nothing is SO much desired as views Of
the city, and what is more attractive than
some of the beautiful specimens of marine
architecture which adorn our harbor The
club should put forth an effort to attract Wis
ltlng yachtsmen, so that they will not stop
here and haibor for a night, but make a
longer stay. We have scenery, bays and in
lets which cannot be surpassed. In behalf
OF the city he extended appreciation for
courtesies and heartfelt interest in the fu-
ture success of the club.
To "Our summer visitors: NAV thew he
our winter visitors often as WE'LL" Vice Com
modore G. f. Morrill, of the South Boston
Yacht Club, responded. He was there as
representative of the second Oldest Yacht
club in New England; his club sent greet
land-the Portland Yacht Club. Wherever
you go throughout this country. you will find
engaged in foremost enterprises, as mer-
chants and at the head of government, men
rom iIIa. Maine, and they are recognized as an
ests of our great Republic. He wanted to
express the sentiment, "The Portland Yacht
Club may she continue to be the harbor
t Tor active yachtsmeD, and the pride of Old
Tho toactn,astor aollod ,,ox ~,
Smith, U. s.. A., to reply to the question,
Portland harbor; where can its superior be
found?' and he thought it would be diff
cult task TO answer 1t. Col. Smith said he
appreciated his honorary membership in the
club. He had felt that he would not be able
not In his line. He was only landsman,
and what right had he to talk to all those
sun burned tars laughter and try to tell
them anything about the waters and how to
navigate In them. This was state where
they ought to know all about water. Laugh
teri. he was in charge of improvements on
the harbor, which, he said, was a grand one.
They had recently partially completed
channel so that the largest vessels that cross
the water could come in at the lowest tide
and make directly for the wharf. River and
harbor improvements had compelled re-
ductlon In railroad freights, and supplies are
now much cheaper. Emerson said that coal
was q portable climate, and we have the
other half, ice. Vessels come from the South
this year from the Kennebec will require
more than 1000 vessels, carrying 500 tons
each, to take ice to southern ports. In
provements will lessen the cost Of shipment
70 cents per ton.
MI. MT; Frank s, Warehouse had been desig-
haeeu 70 reply to The Last Cruise" but had
peen called out of the city.
: d mon' Tnarles f. Libby responded to ''Our
Legal Lights" He. said his position was
peculiar. De believed his name had been on
the list Of members for many years. and vet
t1ls was tne hrst annual dinner or memora-
BILE occasion which he had ever had the
pleasure. of attending, though his absence
had not been caused by indifference, but bus
mess engagements had repeatedly prevented
his joining in the annual cruise and partici-
patiDg in the other festivities. Though he
die age he still found himself good deal of
a land lubber so far as the fine points of
yachting were concerned. But it was great
to see how. his younger
friends had acquired accomplishments which
thus far he had failed to master. He was
when he met them to find by their
conversation how familiar they were with
the laws of the road, and with the c0nven-
tiOnalities and courtesies, as he might say,
which punctuate life upon the ocean wave.
1t is astonishing how very short a time is
necessary, what small number OF cruises
must pe naue, 10 auu materially 10 The KOca-
bulary OF friends who go yachting. When
they get ashore their ordinary conversation
smacks, tastes, has relish of the sea it is
interiarded with choice and opposite phrases
which can only be acquired BY those who
a:s intimate with the management and op-
s pr OF vessels, who have met dangers, as
S Se ;ln,ght say. upon the brOadlhigR seas.
" snort He believed in yachting as man.
~ ~ spoit' ae believed in that association he
cause It promoted rivalry aud competition in in
matters which require loolness. indgmant
skill and courage, and those are onaIviins,
which we respect In every occupation in lie