Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-01-14
WILL HAVEA FEAST
The Press Club Will Hold .
Grand Annual Banquet.
PRes'T sTUART's INAUGURAL
A Fine Address Read Defoee the Club.
Preparations Made for . Year Of
Genuine Good-Feeiing.


Genuine Good-Feeiing.
Yesterdays special meeting or The
Press club was generously attended.
President Stuart read his inaugural sd-
dress, which was - follows
Ladies and Gentlemen Of the Press Club:
That did not at the time thank you
in fitting terms for the hIgn honor you
conferred upon me at the annual meet
ing. was not, assure you. through
any lack of appreciate on. There are
occasions when words seem inadequate,
and the recent annual election WAS. for
me. one Of them. ! take the oppor-
tunity to briefly. vet none the less anu
cerely and from the heart, thank you;
and trust the confidence you have
reposed in me will not be found MIS-
placed.
The past year. under the able guild
ance or of my predecessor, has been .
prosperous one with the club, and in
many WAYS an eventfui one. We nave
become an incorporated association.
We have handsome club rooms. We
stand we'll IN the community, and our
club 10 recognized institution Of the
city. One year ago we were heavily in
debt, caused chiefly from the expense
of fitting up our rooms, aud today We
arc out OF debt and have money In the
treasury. How all this has been sc-
complained you all know. Our Poetry
OF thessWar entertainment, put on by
r~1 AlArtnh thnn a r ~
us, was a magnificent success, one oil
the most successful in the history of
the city. The Zeal and ability of our en-
tertaiument committee has accom-
piished much for our prosperi ty, and
upon our entertainment committee
much responsibility will rest in the fr-
ture.
But it is not of the past which We all
remember so we'll desire to speak. but
rather of the coming year. BY q refer
that section of article reads: "The
objects shall be lof our club) TO bring
members of the newspaper and liter
ary profession together IN closer per-
sonal relations. and further good fell
lowehip and to provide members with
comfortable ci1o rooms"
40 far it is well. The club has in itself
been q tie TO bind US in closer personal
relations and doubtless will continue 10
do so in the future but it occurs to nae
that we have not realized to the full
the social benefits which our organiza-
ton ought TO afford. We have not
sufficiently estimated that element of
good fellowship which is so desirable
and profitable 10 the members of our
profession, an element which when
properly promoted will 90 far towards
wiping out petty jcalousiesla and dislikes
and making us all friends and brothers.
The few suggestions will offer for tha
ensuing year will he chiefly In the line
of good Fellowship.
Suggestions Made.
My first suggestion Is that we hold
our monthly meeting in the evening
instead OF the afternoon, time of day
peculiarly inconverient for many of US.
We might arrange TO have a club sub
scription supper together III the clu b
room or elsewhere, as We may prefer.
on the night of the meeting. The sup
per might be served at 6 O'Clock and
continue not longer than ore hour and
be followed by the business association,
which doubtless would pass Oft
smoothly, expeditiously and cordially
under the influence OF a well-lined vest.
| would sugg gest that the president ap-
point OF the clnb elect chairman who
shall be authorized to choose his own
auxlllIarIcs and whose duty 1t ehall be
10 make all the necessary arrange
ments for the supper; ascertain the
number who will be present; collect the
money from those who will attend. and
| finally preside 1t the feast. l would
suggest that the chalrman's term of of
tee be limited TO one month, closing
with the supper over which he prcsides
and at which his successor ehall be ap-
pointed for the ensuing month. That
the burdens may be distributed, ! sug-
gest that the chairman shall not be
elIgable for reelection within SIX
months after he has served his term.
This, l think, would have a tendency
| to increase the attendance At our meet
ing and purmotc . kindly feeling
among our members. Those who do
not attend the supper and desire TO be
present at the meeting, can come at
O'Clock, by which time the table will be
cleared.
further suggest that at least once n
| month we have . Sunday afternoon So
cial session. We can all epend an hour
or two on that day from active duties.
There is nothing like something to eat
to promote q general good humor. and
| we might arrange 70 have modest
lunch served and paid for out of the
club treasury. We could elect . toast-
master at one social session 10 preside
| over the next and il would be his duty
| to make the necessary arrangements,
prepare a program Of cong. poetry,
| story, speech on other features as he
| may see fit for the entertainment ol
the company. notifying each person on
| the program in advance what would be
expected Of him. To relieve the elpt
| treasury somewhat it might be placed
IN The power Of the club or tosstFnaste'
to impose small penalties for non-per-
formance of duty or tor performing
| them in an unea tisfactory manner. To
aid the toastmaeier and TO divide the
responsibilities. VIC might appoint sec
retary and treasurer, the former te
keep the records OF his me e.ings and to
serve until the next and the latter n
| collect the penalties imposed, and
neither tn serve IN the ssrne capacity
for another six months At least. Bui
the rules and regulations for the soc si
session can perhaps he better arrange
ct the fret We hold. and | leave ths
a stier sn your hands
Grsss Pres. Cius Bapa.et
Ore further suggestion in the good