The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-04-15
An RlIiLoaUrNr ADpnAs

AN ELOQUENT ADDREAs
Delivered Befofs hsandywine Cfab BY
Pierre Gcntfeu 1t the First Asnhui
Meeting.
Something over q year ago the
Messrs. DUPONT. who are always anx-
ious and willing to DO everything In
their power that will iconduce toward
the welfare oil. their employees. conceiv-
ed the iden OF providing q place for
them where they could spend their
evenings In q pleasant, Social manner.
With this firm to resolve IL to act, and
q suitable building was soon provided,
and as the Messrs. DUPONT never do
anything by halves. they also Furnish
ed It and made It ready in every re-
spect for the mems use. The first an
nual meeting was held on Friday,
April 18th, when the following interest.
ing and forcible address was made by
Pierre Gentieu. the chemist at the
works. secretary Of the board of dlrec-
tors Of the club and highly respected
member of General Thomas A. 6myth
Post, N. !, q. A. Il.
To THE MEMBERS OF THE BRAxDYwrNE
CLUB:--Thls being the first annual
meeting OF our club, when we are as
sem bled Tor the purpose OF electirg
officers for the eneuing yeer and to hear
the first report Of the board OF direc-
tors. brief history OF tho formation
Of the club, and notes OF the main in
cidents happening during the past
year. may prove OF interest to the
members present.
During the winter OF 1891 and 1919 the
firm OF Il. 1. DUPONT de Nemoure a.
Co., looking to the welfare OF their
employees In the matter Of recreation
after working hours, conceived the
plan Of establishing o place in this
locality. where for a nominal sum adj
vantages for social intercourse and
amusement could be had by those
wishing to patronize such an institu-
ton.
The handsome building which we
now occupy was chosen for the pur-
pose, and fitted up as completely as
possible to mako 1t an attractive even.
ing home for all concerned. No
money was spared in any department
plish that end, and when completed
personal invitation was sent to each
employee OF the firm to come to the
house warming, beginning Monday,
March 14th, 1892. SO that they could
see for themselves what had been
done for their enjoyment. A reception
committee had been appointed by the
uiui, icT tue puTpOSo u entertaining
visitors. and refreshments In plenty
provided to last one week. free to all
Hundreds visited the place and enjoy
ed themselves.
Pamphlets. containing information
for the forming OF a club, similar in
idea to the workmens club Of the
Joliet Steel Works in ILL.,, and an ad-
dress from the firm of E. I DUPONT de
Nemours d Co. to their employees,
dtQtrihnfad TINT
would understand fully what was In
tended to be done.
The contents of the address from
the firm stated that the Climb house, as
1t stood, was to be given free of any
rent, light and heat furnished, also q
janitor to take care Of the building
who would be. paid by them; daily
papers and periodicals would be sub
scribed for the library, which they had
already furnished with 500 volumes.
Bat hrooms and shower baths were pro
vided also free, so that any fee which
| the members would see proper to
agree upon for membership, would be
| perfectly free to be used to the best
advantage without fear OF any run
ming expenses for the house. Such a
generous offer was of course accepted,
book for membership being opened
for signers, many put their names
down with the first fee of 20 cts. in ad.
vance, toward the monthly dues which
might be agreed upon later. but were
not expected to exceed three dollars
| per year.
The roll OF names numbering one
hundred and seventy seven. 1t was de
cided to organize the Club. A cell fol
that purpose was put on the bulletin
| hoard and on Friday, March Is, 1892.
| the first meeting was hold, MIR. Benz.
+. Sheppard being appointed chairman
Mr.. j. w. Macklem secretary, and MIR.
| Chas. sinck assistant secretary. The
Bylaws. which had been read In pam
| phlet form during the week were
adopted to govern the Club until such
time as new Bylaws could be prepar-
ed and adopted.
The regular routine of nominations
and election OF officers then took
place, with tho following result:
| William Bowe, ST., president; Ben
1amin +. Sheppard, first vice president
William II. Miller. second Vice presi-
dent; ]. w. Macklem, secretary; VIM.
Casey, assistant secretary, and An
| thony McGarvey, treasurer.
For the board OF directors. Messrs.
James q. Macklem, John O. Dougher-
| ty, Edward Dougherty, Timothy
| Toomey, John Stewart, James Hun.
ter. Sr.; Thomas }. Stirling and Pierre
Gentieu.
On the following day, Saturday,
March 10th, tho newly elected board
Of directors held their first meeting
That body is composed OF eleven
members. being the president. first
vice president, and second vice presi.
dent of the club. and the eight mem
bers elected as such.
Their first duty was to appoint the
several committees for the different
departments of the house, and adopt
the most important rules for the gov
eminent of members. We will not fol-
low in detail all the work done, but
will mention only the main incidents
happening during the year.
At the meeting OF March 23rd, a
communication was received from the
board OF trustees, this body being the
members of the firm of L. /. DUPONT
de Nemours Il Co., by which they gave
to the club all the remaining stock of
canned goods, tobacco. cigars, ETC.,
which had been provided by them for
the opening week in such large guam
tity that quite valuable amount OF 1t
was still on hand. The board of di-
rectors accepted the generous gift, and
returned thanks In behalf of the club.
The restaurant branch OF the club
house being found very useful, 1t was
decided to keep 1t going II possible.
and we think all will agree that under
the management OF the present occu-
pant Mr.. Fred Il. Evans, II has been a
great accommodation.
April LIST the new constitution and
bylaws were adopted. the new organ
ization to be known as the Brandywine
club.
April Goth design for tho seal was
agreed upon. the word Union" being
our motto. and Eleutherian Mills des.
ignntinR the location, being the name
Of the first powder mills, from the
French name of the founder. Mr.. Eleu-
there Irenee. the firm of L. 1. DUPONT
dc Nemours d Co., originating from
him also.
At this time Of our history hand
some gift to the Club was received
from w. 8. Colvin, Esq, No. 63 Pine
ST., New York, being the beautiful
M hitting nv Rriannr urida Comina in