Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-04-07
THE Y. M. c. A.
Dinner Given by President Van Patten on
His Retirement-Int Interesting Speeches.

DuuulnR was tne scene OF pleasant B0clal
event Monday evening, the occasion being the
dinner given to the officers, directors and
friends OF the association by MIR. W. j.
Van Patten on his retirement from the
office OF president The rooms were hand
somely decorated with ao werfng plants palms
and cut flowers and presented an elegant
as well as homelike appearance. Nearly
100 persons were present. representing the
various professions and varied business in
terests of our city. The guests were cor
daily welcomed by President Van Patten
and after a brief season devoted to the ex-
change of social courtesies they were ushered
into the lecture room which bad been trans
formed into an attractive banquet hall.
After grace had been said by Rev. Mr..
Roberts of the First Baptist church, the
dinner was served in courses under the
direction of Mr. H. N. Coon, who was aided
by an efficient corps of walters. The bill
Of fare was an excellent one and the dinner,
1t Is safe to say, was fully enjoyed by all.
AT the conclusion Of the banquet Mr..
Van Patten raped the tables to order and
expressed his qualification at the presence of
SO many friends. He was glad that the
time had come when ho could lay aside his
work with the feeling that 1t had been ac
complished and he was confident there were
many present who could take up the work
where he had lett Off. He spoke OF his
carly life in Burlington, of the changes that
had taken place, Of the work that had been
accomplished by the Young Mems Christian
association, and Of its benefits to the young
mon and boys Of Burlington, the develop.
ment of the social movement, and the insti-
tutional work. He said that he had good
news for the association. During his recent
vacation he called upon Mr.. John H. Con-
verse of Philadelphia, who has already done
SO much for Burlington and stated the needs
OF the association. Mr.. Converse very
easily and gracefully donated $4,000 to be
applied to the bonded debt Of the associa-
| tion. This announcement was received
with hearty applause.
MIR. g. p. Smith said that in the absence
Of Gen. William Wells, it devolved upon him
to preside. He also had good news tor those
present and he proceeded to tell how Mr..
Van Patten who had already contributed
largely to the association had decided to
give it $4,000 more. These two donations
placed the board Of trustees in far better
shape than they had expected to be in, aud
their dark days were over
Ex-Lieut. Gov. Woodbury. was called
upon by Mr.. Smith to give his impression of
the work Of the association from the stand
point Of a business man. Col. Woodbury.
said that he felt strong degree of sef-re-
proach that he had done so little for the as
sociation while Mr.. Van Patten had done so
much and he thought that other resident
must experience the same feeling. The
thrift OF city was Judged OF
by its public buildings and the
Y. Nj. c. A. building served to
give metropolitan air to our city.
He spoke of the benefits of the
association to Burlington and especially OF
its beneficial influence upon the character
of our young men. He closed with a tribute
to Mr.. Van Patterns services and reference
to the work, which remained for others to do
President Buckham, who was next called
upon said that he came to the banquet with
a feeling of sadness over the retirement OF
Mr. Van Patten He had found origh
side to it, however, in the thought that Mr.
Van Patten would still be help to the as
ISOLATION He spoke of the succession o
good men whose work had been accomplished
in this city. He thought the association
had done something for Mr.. Van Patteu
who had grown spiritually as we'll as intel
lectually under its influence. Presden
Bucknam referred also to the gratifying
fact that so few of our business men wert
unworthy men and to the excellent mora
conditions which prevailed here. Fully 20(
young men come here annually and almos
the first thing that greets them is the v NJ
G. a. reception. Almost before they know
it they are secure on the side of virtue and
good habits.
Rev. Mr.. Dewhurst said he did not see
how the association could get along withou
Mr.. Van Patten; but 1t was impossible fol
a mother TO forget her child and SO it woulC
be impossible for Mr.. Van Patten to forge
l..
thing in this age to find man genuinely
enthusiastic He spoke Of the value of asso
citation work, of its influence in erasing de
nominational lines and of the appreciation
OF the full significance of the association
services.
Hon. Daniel Roberts was introduced a
one who kept young through his sympathy
with young men. He spoke of the work o
the association and referred to the buidin,
as a fitting monument to Mr. Van Patten
services. He made several Latin quotations
appropriate to the occasion and his remark
wers pleasantly received
Treasurer II. L. Ward was called upon tc
give a few figures which he did after brie
Introductory remarks He said that th
association property had cost S107, 900, o
which S2S, 900 had been received from
subscriptions, $l2, 900 had come from Mr.
Van Patten, the insurance on the proper tN
burned was $4,000 ani the bonded deb
was $50, 900. Mr.. Van Patterns last gif
reduced the floating debt so that only abou
$1,000 remained to be provided for.
Mr.. Smith said there was a deficit o
$1,000 in the current expenses, so that thu
sum of $4,000 was to be raised by friends o
the association to place the association il
the condition in which Mr.. Van Pattel
would like TO leave it. He said that Mr.
Van Patten held it to be part of the e1
pense OF living in Burlington to contribut
to the support of the Y. NJ. c. A.
Mr.. Van Patten again thanked the guest
OF the evening for their presence and afte
pleasantly reminding them of the needs o
the association bade them good night.
TEN PAIRS OF TWINS.
Astonishing State of Affairs Disclosed q