The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-12-21
FORESTERS' GALL NIGHT,
Speechmaking a Feature of a Very
Pleasant Dance at Woods Hall.

The reception and ball of the Grand
Court of New Jersey of the Ancient Order
of Foresters at Woods Hall last night,
was largely attended. 1t was designed to
be the orders most notable social event
of the season in this city. The grand
march was led by Supreme Chief Ranger
William A. kits of Brooklyn and Miss
Lavetta McCoobery, the sister or Alder
man joseph It. McCoobery, Grand Chief
Ranger of the State Grand Court.
AN OPENING SPEECH.
Supreme Chief Ranger Kills halted the
grand march when the couples were
drawn up in lines. in company front to
use a military term. long enough to hear
him deliver this speech from the gal
lery;-
Ladies' and Gentlemen:-At an assem-
bly, like this, having the benefcient pur-
poses which it has in view, it is gratifying
to realize that many others than those
directly connected with its affairs have
willingly come to- aid in obtaining the
means to make others happier.
ut is especially agreeable to observe
the presence of distinguished men and
highly esteemed public officials, cheer
fully disposed. to render assistance in
promoting so great an object of mercy as
that of relieving the distress of widows
and orphans. II has been said that mercy
blesses him that gives as well as hin that
receives, and 1t is true.
ut will De expected that a few words
be said regarding the fraternity under
whose. auspices we are gathered here.
The Order of Foresters was instituted in
Europe as far back as the eighteenth
century. the exact year being uncertain.
but 1745 being most generally understood
as the period when 1t began. That is
nearly a century and a half ago. Today
we enjoy the fruits of It's long existence
and experience, in conjunction with our
modern knowledge and experience of
society organization and society work.
which adds so largely to advantages and
strength of the Ancient Order Of For
esters of America. {
"We are informed by tradition that the
order was founded upon a basis suggest
ed by the story of Robin and his merry
men, who were banded together for
mutual help and protection His method
of levying contributors, however, was
different from that of the Foresters of
the present time, for he forced the
wealthy to pay tribute from their FUNDS
to relieve those who were in distress aud
worthy of assistance. A closer relation
between our order and Robin Hoods
band is found in the names of a large
number OF courts, such as Courts Robin
Hood, Little John and Maid Marion,
some courts using the name OF Sherwood
Forest, where the followers of Robin
| Hood dwelt.
Royal Foresters was the original title
of the order. In 1884, the name was
changed to the Ancient Order of For
esters. In 1864. the fraternity was estab-
lished in the United States. in the city of
Brooklyn, and thereafter spread through
out our various States.
'In 1889, the Subordinate Courts rati-
fed a change of the name of the Order in
the United States to that of the Ancient
Order of Fores5ers of America, and IN
der American and modern plans of go
vernment, established thirteen Grand
Courts, one each in the States or New
York. New jersey, Pennsylvania, Mas
necticut, Ohio. Illinois. Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri. Colorado and Cali
fornia. Like the United States of Amer
les, the Ancient Order of foresters of
America began home rule with thirteen
Grand or State jurisdictions, and like the
United States of America. our progress
similarly promises to be eminent.
"Since 1889, the subordinate Courts in
four more Ststes V Increased
sufficiently to establish four more Grand
Courts. There are now seventeen OF
these State Courts, besides subordinate
courts, established in eleven other States,
and their number is rapidly multiplying.
lowing to the peculiar and special adj
vantages. the order offers to its members.
the full and free opportunity that Is ac-
corded to each and every one In manag-
ing it's affairs under sound and well
founded regulations; the benefits guaran-
teed them, which they obtain as a matter
of right aud not as a matter OF charity,
the Ancient Order of Foresters of Americs
has become one of the most popular mu'
tual and benefit organizations in this
country. 1t now has on its rolls over one
hundred Thousand members In gooo
standing. Its disbursements mount te
nnnn nm f@r efnI- nnd IN ~
eral benefits aud other benevolent pur-
poses, while the funds remaining on hanC
amount to within a fraction of $500, 600.
"Finally, in regard to it, we can apply
the words of the famous DIR. johnson il
speaking upon another subJect-douD.
less there might be a better Order. thar
the Foresters of America, but doubtless
there is no better Order"
FEATURES OF THE FETE.
At the intermIsslon, addresses were de
livered by Adam Brown, Supreme Com
mander of the Knights of. Sherwood
Forest and Supreme Chief Companion o.
the Companion of the Forest and H.. w
Drake. Supreme Pastor Of the Ancien'
Order of Shepherds. Among thos'
present were tine observation-disclosures
of the Grand Court, Alderman
Joseph T. McCoobery, Grand Chiei
Ranger: Thomas B. O'Neill. Grand Sui
Chief Ranger; Justice Winfield ). Weed
Oranu lTeaSuIeIi L. "a. LA Oinh.
Secretary; John ). Cullen. Grand Record
ing Secretary; Frank McConnin, Crane
Senior Woodward; Thomas j.. Lane
Grand Junior Woodward; Frederick Ber
sey, Grand Senior Beadle: William II
Frost, Grand Junior Beadle.
The following served on the Reception
Committee:-James F. C'Mealia, Pas
Grand Chief Ranger, Chairman
Thomas Mahoney. Townsend d. Baker
Euoch Mountford, l.. L. Newbery
Eugene Stout, John 7. Murray. M. F
Heating, Ord Darling, Thomas B. Crotty
james K. Murphy, John Fisk, Edward
A. Breuscb. Morgan Ivory. Geo.J. Greer
John j.. Dupuy, Francis z. Cogan, A. H
Fletcher, A. c. Gillette. John A. Smith
II. j. Griffin, Robert j. Power, JOSEPH
McCurnin, Michael Welsh, Thomas T
Howe, James T. McNally and j. A. Mo
Kenna.
Alderman Joseph L. McCooberv wa
floor director, and Thomas B. O'Neill an,
Frank McConvin assisted him. Polio
Captain John +. Kelly was Chairman o
the Floor Committee. Other mem bers Q
the Floor Committee were:-E. 4
Vessels, James T.. Richard, Williar
r.. Saywell, William f. Beck
K H. Duff, Daniel f. Cody, Thos. Row
man, Joseph Shaw, VIM. Mitchell, Thos,
HRamsay, A. Ralston Gordon. Thos. H. Ls
vender, H. j.. Burns. Aug. SchlendorI
james H. Reddy, John M. Sterr, GIN