The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-18

life work, and to reach that stage when
the infirmities of age had come upon
him, when life no longer presents its
manifold charms, when death loses its
terror and the grave seems place
of rest and refuge.
When 1t Is We Mourn.
When death claims the great and
strong and vigorous among us, we
mourn and are disposed to question the
ways of heaven. But when eternity
beckons to one whose labors are ended,
and who walks wearily under burden
of years, we see him sink to rest with
resignation.
"The hand of the reaper
Takes the ears that are hoary,
But the voice of the weeper
Walls manhood in glory
For death is the inevitable end of all
mortality, and there is no one among
US who would not raise his voice in
thankfulness tonight, if he could be as
sured a life 50 long, and career of
so much usefulness as he in whose men,
ory we are assembled to honor to-
night. Therefore, our sadness on this
occasion is tempered by the pleasure
we feel in contemplating the splendid
record he has left behind. Coming to
mining he has not only seen it develop
into great industry, but has aided
its greatness probably more than any
other one man.
He has seen the little hamlets de-
velop into thriving and populous COM
munities. The company, whose affairs
he has managed, has become the sue
cessful If not the largest of the great
corporations of the coal regions. To
his credit and his honor be it said. he
was always just and generous to his
workmen. So far back as my memory
can reach there has been no strike of
the men employed by the corporations
under his control caused by any griev-
ances peculiar to those corporations.
And when his workmen Joined gen.
eral strike John b. Smith and the Penn
sylvania Coal company We're always
among the first to extend the olive
branch of peace. No monument can be
raised to his memory so noble as the
kindly feeling in the hearts OF the peo-
pie who were in his charge.
What His Career Illustrates.
His career is another illustration of
the fact that there are great opportuni-
ties for the humblest and poorest in
this country to rise to places of dignity
and power. We are too apt to cOnfine
our thoughts, in this direction, to the
prizes of politics and craftsmanship.
But there are prizes In business life
more desirable, for they are peacefully
obtained without the discord and strife
that attend political conflicts.
John b. Smith began lifein an humble
capacity by entering the employ of
coal corporation at the age of 10 years.
He was without wealth or influential
friends, and it was ability, integrity
and industry that brought him the
power and honor which we so cheer
fully accord to him this evening. /
might cite much more of his splendid
public spirit, of his wisdom and discre
ton, of his admirable Christian quail
ties. of his great benefactions to the
Home for the Friendless, the Oral
School for Deaf Mutes and st. Joseph's
Founding Home. OF his kindness to
those around him and of the many
other things that serve to give him en-
during fame. But number of other
gentlemen more intimately acquainted
with him than l are here to speak, and
leave the rest with them.
The committee on resolutions, APP
pointed at the meeting of the board,
then submitted thefollowing resolutions,
which We're subsequently confirmed:
The Resolutions Adopted.
The citizens of the borough of Dun
more, having heard with profound re-
gret of the death of their esteemed
and respected fellow-cittiZen, John b.
Smith, in the fullness of years and
honors, and feeling it incumbent upon
them as neighbors, friends, employees,
to express their sentiments in relation
to one whose services among us were
most important and the eXcellencies of
whose character were so widely appre-
ciated, we declare
That. We take pride and pleasure in
contemplating the record of his long
and useful life and in the success of the
great corporation, which, from small
beginning. his genius, foresight and
ability did so much to raise to it's pres
sent position and power. That we COM
mend to other large employers of labor
the Just and liberal treatment which
he accorded to those in his employ and
the courtesy with which he heard and
the promptness with which he re-
dressed every grievance of his work.
men. That we admire his splendid
generosity to the infirm, the helpless
old, and the orphan child all the more
entitled to respect because the benefac-
tions which he brought about were linn
tied by no consideration of race or
creed. That the public spirit which he
displayed an his life has been of inesti-
mable advantage to this community,
and that his noble Christian virtues
have endeared him TO every one who
came within the sphere of his useful
ness Therefore be 1t
Resolved, That IN the death of John
b. Smith the corporations whose affairs
he has directed have lost an admins
| trative officer of rare ability and discre-
| tion, the workman in their employ a
true and powerful friend, the poor a
generous giver this community u most
useful and progressive citizen, and his
| family an affectionate father;
Resolved. That our sympathy Is ten
dered TO the members Of the family
| and that our services may be command
| ed by them in any capacity In which
| they may be useful in this time of trou-
BILE
! Rev. ]. w. Williams said that nc
one could but voice the sentiment tina,
Dunmore had lost kind friend and a
noble citizen, and the best tribute that
they could pay to the memory of Mr.
| Smith was to re-echo the statement
that ne was the friend Of the working.
men. He had grown up with the com.
munity and was a believer In spirit
Of development and progress ant
ready to assist In every direction In
the improvement of society in the com.
munity in which he lived. His loss tc
the family was irreparable and to Dun
more 1t was irretrlevable.