The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-08
A HAPPY
OCCASION.
St. Mary's I. A. B. Society
Celebrates Its 49th
Anniversary.
The History of the Society is
One of Which 1t May Justly
Feel Proud.
RECEPTION, BANQUET AND BALL.
Address By Mayor Davis Incidental to the Post
Prandial Exercises Many Well Known
Temperance Advocates Present.
RECEPTION, BANQUET AND BALL.

The forty ninth anniversary of the or
ganization of st. Mary's Total Abstinence
and Benevolent Society was celebrated In
a fitting manner at Temperance Hall last
evening. Many guests prominent In
municipal and business affairs were pres
ent, and the evening passed very enjoy
ably.
Among the number were Mayor John w.
Davis, Alderman and Mrs. Thomas O'Brien,
Mr.. and Mrs. John Jolly, Mr.. and Mrs.
Michael Nolan, Joseph T.. Cole, secretary
of the e. IT: A., Matthew Kerry of st.
Matthew's Society, and Michael Ferris OF
st. Josephs. Representatives from other
temperance organizations were also in at
tendance.
At 80 about 15O members, their wives
and guests, sat down to bountiful supper
served in the hall. Covers had been laid
for $50, and every place was occupied.
After the meal had beeu discussed, Henry
Quirk called the assemblage to order, and
introduced the toastmaster of the eve
ming, Vincent j. McAloon, who is
also president of the organization. Mr..
McAloon, in accepting the post, said he
considered it an honor to preside at the
49th anniversary of the society, an organ
ization that had done much to brighten
many a home and he trusted that at the
next and fiftieth anniversary they would
have building Of their own. He then
called upon Robert j. Casey, who sang,
"Just to be Child Again." very accept
ably. TIE first toast was the "City OF
Pawtucket," and was responded to by His
Honor the Mayor. He said in substance:
sMr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
am pleased to be with you this evening.
/ met you last in 1880, and / see before me
some of the faces saw 16 years ago. The
members of this organization give stand
ing, not only to the section in which 1t Is
located, but to the whole city. The MEM
bers of this society have been very kind to
me; in fact, my first introduction to pub
lie life was made by members OF this So
ciety.
'It is my desire to carry on municipal
affairs according to your ideas. No man
shall be prosecuted, but the intent of the
law carried out and vice suppressed. III
you see any acts OF violation you will aid
me by reporting them. The man who abb
stains from strong drink Is the best citi-
zen mentally, physically and morally, and
the ladies can win over many to the cause
of temperance. / am glad to learn that
the ladies have branch organization and
to hear of their good work."
The Mayor then referred to the days in
which he taught school here fifty years
ago, and referred to the social improve
ment of the present as compared with
then. More social enjoyments were per-
mitted than III the days to which he re-
ferred. 81 am glad to again meet you,
continued the Mayor, "and am glad that
we have such society as yours in our city,
and am glad to know that II is in my Sec
the members of this Society can render me
a service by reporting to me any violations
of the law that come to your notice. l
trust that the next anniversary will find
you in new and more accessible quarters,
and hope shall be present on that occa-
sion; but it matters little whether am or
not, as the memories of your Society can
not be effaced."
Miss Annie McGinn sang ''Sweet Antoin-
ette," and Joseph Cole, secretary of the c.
r. A. Union, arose to respond to the toast
.The G. II. A. Union" Mr.. Cole said in
part: 81 take just pride in being with
you and bring to you the best wishes Of
the c. T. A. u, and st. Patrick's II. A. b.
Society. Total abstinence is the safe guard
of the nation, the city and the State. That
you have met with success in the past
should urge you on to further efforts, for
total abstinence workers should never be
still. Without the corporation of It's
members the Society cannot succeed. Do
all you can to spread the influence Of the
society, and take courage and work at all
times. To the young men would recon-
mend that they derive strength from ap-
plication to the sacraments Of the church.
The ladies are the sunshine of our hearts
and homes, and should feel proud to be
connected with the society. Unless young
man is temperance man, he is not wanted
today in commercial and business houses.
To secure progress, a young man should
avoid the company Of drinkers and do all
they can to promote total abstinence. BY
the time Of your next and fiftieth aniver-
sary / expect to see you one OF the best
societies in the G. T. A. IT,"
Mr.. jeremiah O'Connor responded to "Old
Members" In a humorous way, and gave
much interesting history regarding those
who first championed the cause In this
city. Mr.. O'Connor said that he and his
brother had Joined the society in March OF
1873, and the place OF meeting was in the
ed Dexter building. The speaker referred
to the good men the city has placed I'm
official capacities, and who came from the
st. Mary's T. A. b. society. Among
others he referred to was the "brainest
Alderman the city had ever had"
The Fifth Ward Ward was responded to
by Alderman Thomas O'Brien. Mr.O'Brien
said In part: "I am afraid that you will all
be disappointed after the compliment paid
me by Mr.. OConnor. ! am glad that the
or rather the Mayor, has seen
fit to be with us this evening, and we are
glad to hear his commendation. Regard
ing the subject of my toast, the Fifth
Ward, II is ahead OF others In many re-