The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-10-19

tions, and the inference is that he held the office that year as we'll as during the next five; If so, he should be credit ed with six years service at the head instead of five, as generally supposed.
 Under him the work was very suc- cessfully prosecuted. Each successive year showed substantial gains over the preceding one While I had some share in the work, especially in the very ear Hest years, 1. e., from 1868 to 1875, my more intimate knowledge of it and of the committee began under the leader ship of General George Fl. Ford, who served Ias chairman for six successive years, and who is now our respected and faithful treasurer
 General Ford succeeded MT Bunnell in 1882. To him is largely due the more thorough system and more complete canvass of the city that have been true of the past fourteen years.
 Under him larger work and greater success were attained than ever before.
 At the close of his chairmanship in 1887 the Donation Day association, with its full corps of officers, succeeded the Donation Day committee.
 Up to that time the chairman had been the only officer. He acted in all capacities from commander in chief down to private in the rear rank. His labors in connection with the day itself were very arduous, and for two or three weeks prior to it he had to be al- most constantly at preparatory work,
 Now, under our present formation, we have a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and assistant sec retary, executive committee, chairmen of collection districts and a general committee of about 1S5, making total working force of about 160 active men.
 While as much work as ever must be done, in fact more year by year as the city grows larger and the needs and work of the asylum increase, still 1t is so systematized and divided among this large number that smaller amount falls on the leader, though he still must bear the greater share of the work and responsibility.
 This I know from actual experience in the position.
 I therefore beg your kindest consid- eration always for whoever is president of this association. He surely needs it.
 I will not stop to give you the sums collected each year in cash by the com mittee, though they are recorded and it might easily be done.
 Of course with the smaller commit tees and partial canvasses of the first nine years, ending with MT. Bunnelrs administration, the sums realized did not amount to anywhere near as much per year as they have since; they did amount, however, to the handsome sum of $1S,500.
 For the nine years, beginning with General Ford's administration and end- ing with, think, 1891, under Professor Chandler, the amount collected was be- tween $50,oo0 and $51,0oo.
 The grand cash total to-day is some- thing over sS6,000 fQ
 Then add to this the loads of mer- chandise of large value given each year and realize if you can the wonderful re- suits of the committees work in this community
 Are they not alike creditable to our city, our committee and our cause?
 What untold good has been made possible through your work.
 Think of the hundreds of little ones sheltered, cared for and trained--start- ed on the right road to good citizenship and useful lives.
 The managers had the disposition, the heart, to do all that has been done, but your efforts have in large measure given them the power, the final ability to do it.
 Surely we should consider it privi- lege to participate in such good work and be thankful for the opportunity. At the same time with such results before us, may we not be excused for indulging in a little glorification.
 These annual committees have been made up from our most active and re- spected business and professional men. They have cheerfully given their time and energetic efforts to this charitable work. They have felt deep and kind ly interest in it, and each year at the close of their days successful work they have formed their great process sion of carriages, containing the com | mittee. and wagons loaded with the gifts of our merchants and manufac- turers. and have taken their way out | IO the dSyluIn WlIH udSS IlylflS, SOfI1e- times bands of music playing, and have seen the little orphan children drawn up In body at their home and receiv- ing the committee with loud cheers and happy faces. All, I know, have felt a hundred times repaid for their labors No matter how tired our bod l ies. the fact of assuring the support of | the asylum in doing its full measure of work for the ensuing year, thus making glad the hearts of managers and chill dren alike is ample recompense and makes our hearts glad also. | Well, I hardly know what more to say. I will leave these reunions, this festive part, for others to describe I | had rather enjoy them than talk about them. They certainly form delightful | termination-cap sheaf-to our days garnering.
 Our officers come into my mind rath- CT forcibly at this point, but in their l presence I hardly like to speak as my feelings prompt; it might seem full some though not so intended. Theirs l is a laborious work and they have al- ways performed it faithfully, ably and cheerfully.
 can say of all from president to i humblest member, "Semper Fidelis.'' I notice that the toast assigned me reaches into the future. We'll. I don't deal in futures much, but I venture the prediction that just so long as the New Haven Orphan Asylum needs the help