The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-02-27
THE ATHLETIC CLUB.
Brilliant Gathering of Young Business
Men Last Night.
Speeches by Governor Cleaves, Mayor
Baxter, Clarence Hale and Others.

Speeches by Governor Cleaves, Mayor
Baxter, Clarence Hale and Others.
The complimentary dinner given by
the members of the Athletic Club to the
performers in injured Innocents" at
the Club house last evening was not on
lv notable social event in the history
of the club, but that of the city as we'll.
AS one of the older members and a lead
ing citizen said: ''If as much enterprise
were put into the advancement of the
city as has been into that of this club,
the city would be the gamer"
Probably never before have so many
of the young and representative business
men of the city assembled together
around the festive board, and it was fes-
tive.
Capt. George E. Brown had exhibited
even more than his usual taste and skill
in the matter Of decoration. The great
rafters of the gymnasium, (Which made
splendid banquet hall, were hidded by
roof of gay streamers, the balcony was
hung with flags and banners and ever
green cables. The tables were indebted
to the skill of Mr.. c. S. Goddard, the
Deering florist, for their prominent adj
dition to the beauty of the spectacle.
Over 200 members of the club entered
the hall to the tune of the Amazonian
march, played by Gilberts orchestra.
Among the prominent members seated
at.the head table with the president were
Governor Cleaves. Mayor Baxter, DR.. S.
c. Gordon, DIR. F. Fl. Gerrish, Hon. Clar-
ence Hale, Hon. Chas. F. Libby, Messrs.
c. E. Richardson, Henry P. Cox and
others.
The banquet was all that could be de-
sired in quality as well as quantity. In
the absence of President Payson, Mr..
Theodore Woodbury. presided, and Mr..
Walter G. Emerson acted acceptably as
POSTMASTER. Mr.. Emerson introduced
Governor Cleaves as one whose sanction
was necessary for further proceedings.
Governor Cleaves said that he APPROX
ed of everything thus far in the evening
and should to the end He referred to
his long membership in the old Turnve-
rein, and said that its absorption into
the present club was a good thing, and
that now we had one of the best athletic.
organizations in the country. eve con-
graduate ourselves that we have grand
membership of over 500, and that we are
in a club house of our own. express
the sentiment of the club in saying that
we appreciate the efforts of those who
are the guests of the evening. They
need no commentator from us, because
the public has spoken more eloquently
than any of us could do.''
The POSTMASTER then proposed the
health of the city, and introduced His
Honor, Mayor Baxter, who said that he
was one of the original members of the
| Turnverein and that he, himself, used to
practice fencing, and that his first APP
pearance on City. Hall stage was with
foil in his hand. He closed with very
cordial reference to the value of the club
to the city
A charming interlude at this point was
the singing of ''The Society for the Pre-
yention of Cruelty to Animals" by Lady
McBannister, in the person of Mr.. Han
| naford.
The health of the Athletic Club was
then proposed as not only a success, but
a triumph and Dr. f. II. Gerrish was
called upon to respond as membersof.
the executive committee. He referred;
feelingly and humorously to his age, also
to his athletic prowess; also to the ballet
| dancer who adorned the outside of the
| menu, and said that it shouldn't be un-
derstood that she is the tutelary goddess
of the club. He referred seriously to
the financial condition of the club, and
said that the $1,000 earned by the per-
Torrance would about wipe out the
floating debt. He concluded his re-
marks by thanking the guests of the eve
ming most cordially in the name of the
club.
Mr.. Elliot C. Mitchell was introduced
as the Hero of Rossini Hail. to re-
spond to the toast of the injured limo
cents and OF course the assemblage
was convulsed with laughter in about
two minutes after he had emerged from
the applause of his reception. He re-
ferred more seriously to the difficult
ties of manager but his hearers con-
tinued to laugh nevertheless.
Clarence Hale, Esq, responded in a
| happy vein for ''those members who sell
dom come to the club house,
Mr.. Nathan Clifford, on behalf of the
opera committee, presented a handsome
banquet lamp to Mr.. Charles A. Beane
in recognition of his efficient services as
property man.
Mr. Stephen G. Perry told about the
athletic exhibition soon to be given in
City Hail.
telegram was read from President
Payson extending his greetings.
Mr.. Shaylor Cushing presented TO the
club an elegantly framed photograph of
the corps de ballet"