Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-03-30
GROCERS AND MEATMEN
HOLD THEIR FOURTH ANNUAL BAN
QUIET AT THE VAN NESS.

Topics
The Grocers' and Moatmen's association
CT this city held its fourth annual banquet
Mt the Van Ness House Thursday evening
1t was the most successful effort OF the
society IN this direction. Tho attendance
was large, thsre being 1j7 present, the
larger number Of whom were representative
business men ard representatives of business
houses. Senator u. j. Foster was selected
to perform the difficult duties OF toast
master, which he accomplished to the
pleasure of all. The speeches were crisp
mud intermixed with funny anecdotes and
each speaker was literally appauded.
President T. P. Daley sat in the center
of the long honorary table At his right
were d. j. Foster, toastmagter Col U. A.
Woodbury., DR. A. p Grinnel, j. II. Hol-
ton, Dr. W. s. Vincent, C. w. Scarf, AL
herman w. +. Hall and f. f. Perkins At
his left were Rev. T. G. Thompson, pastor
Of the Methodist church; {. A. Barber, ex-
president OF the associations j. L. South
wick, editor of the FREE PRESS; p. c. Dodge.
editor of the Independent; A. Armagnac,
editor of the Clipper, and n. X. Brown.
Among the prominent merchants and others
noticed ct the oth.r tables wero a. c.
Spaudins, Solomon Walker, G. W. Kelley,
+. q. Fletcher, j. $. Patrick, II. f. VOL
colt Of Wolcott, c. J. Ferguson, Van a.
Nye a. +. jones, J. W. Joues, John II.
Donnelly OF Nergennes, Alderman j.
L. Burke, A. o. Ferguson and II. G.. Hat
horn.
Shortly after 9:15 the members Of the
society and their friend, preceded by Presi-
dent Daley and the speakers of the evening,
filed into the commodious hall
The tables We're neatly arranged. The
menu wns served in courses and service was
prompt, all of which added to the en- Joy
ment OF the occasion. The members Of the
association demonstrated their superior fit
ness to cope with all that pertains to the
culinary art at their first banquet and il is
unnecessary to add anything further on the
subject.
A 1880, as cigars were being lighted,
President Daley raped for order and dur
ing his remarks recommended the establish
ing Of produce exchange and gave some
reasons why it would be beneficial to both
the merchant and consumer. y He then in
troduced d. j. Foster, esq, us tle toast
master OF the evening.
Mr. Foster spoke of the relationship of
the association to the community, which, he
said, was not only very intimate but an
honorable one. He defined in facetious
way the relationship Of the professions
especially the lawyer and physician, to tho
Erocors and meatmeu. In closing he said
that thsy had not come TO hear him but
others, ana he would not weary them. His
remarks met with warm approval.
Tho Montcalm quar,ette then sang
selection and were loudly encored.
Ar. Foster said that Burlington had an as
socistion Of which she was justly proud and
he called upon F. Z. Perkins to tell some
thing about it,
Mr. Perkins sketched briefly the history
Of the "Grocers and lIeatmen's associa-
Ton OF Burlington Beginning at the in
ception OF the idea Of forming the organiza-
tion four years ago, he told how rapidly it
had come into the favor of the grocery and
meatmen snd OF the perfecting OF tho
'ociety with large mem bership.
People became frightened for fear that
prices would be advanced, but they had not
been. On the other hand prices were lower
He pieasingly alluded to the fact that the
membership was continually increasing
MIR. Perkins referred to the shock of par
alyss which overlook John E. LavelIe. ex-
president Of tbs association, last fall and
which ultimately resulted in his death few
weeks since. He then asked that all pres
ent drink to the memory of Mr. Lavalle
which was done
Rev. Mr.. Thompson being called upon to
respond for the clergy, he made lew witty
illusions, remarkng that the ladies were left
out and soid that 1t was something unusual
lor him to address body OF men but he
was glad OF the opportunity. He was glad
that such an institution this had sprung
up which tended to psrmeate q fraternai
feeling among them, aud gave a few stories,
and closed by wishing them year OF great
prosperity.
POSTMASTER Foster asked CDR. A. ?.
GrinneIl to.tell what the association was do
Ing for the medical profession. DR.. Grin -
nell began III his customary happy
vein and kept the audience smiling
or laughing while he was speaking
de citsd an instance of groceryman
selling liquid groceries and charging the
goods up under tho head OF sundries.
a travelling man once told him that he
sold more good groceries in Burlington than
any other city in New England except Bos-
ton. He astonishoi his hearers by telling
Them how little they could eat and live
he thought that they, as a rule, ate too
much. he sandwiched in a few of his in
imitabie stories, and in conclusion advised
them not TO sell so good groceries and meats,
which he hoped would make people sick and
then they would eat loss
The old revolutionary hero, Ethan Allen.
OF whom Vermont is SO proud, and the re-
Gently established military post Of that
name, was the toast given Col L. A. W God
bury. After relating story or two, he
said that he felt proud that the reservation
was to be called Fort Ethan Allen. - Ho
told how Senator Proctor had to leave the
location of the fort out Of the bill, simply
Inserting ito establish" in order to get it
through Congress, because the congressman
OF other States wanted tho post located on
the frontier of their States. We might
hope to have quite an increase of business
and the military men would be a desirable
addition to our society and TO all civic
paredes. Six hundred cavalrymen in line
would be grand sight, especially to the
younger generation.
o Mr.. SouUhwick was assigned the tasl,
of responding for the press. lie compli-
mented the association upon its present
hourishing condition. The first Of his re
marks were given up to facetiousness, after
which be talked of the newspapers. He re-
ferred to tins ancient origin of the ne wspaper,
spoke of its progress and character and
showed how the policy Of the press was
shaped by public demands as well as the