The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-07-02

The annual meeting of the Socratic
Circle was held with Mrs. Luthera
Wilson, June 26th, with the president,
Mrs. E. A. Barrett in the chair. After
the reading of the minutes by the sec
retary, Mrs. Laura Dickey, and the
verbal correction of the same, the Cir
Gle proceeded to thA Aelection of officers
for the coming ye&rI Madams Farm
ham, Peaslee and several other ladies
present were nominated and unani-
mously elected to the presidency, but
each and all declined serving and were
excused. The Circle then elected Mrs.
Rosa B. McDuffee, who was not pres
ent, to that office. For vice president
Mrs. NJ. L. Tebbetts. The office of
treasurer being only one of name, was
not. filled, if my memory serves me.
Mrs. E. A. Barrett was elected record
ing secretary. AS the president was
absent the wishes of the Circle in re-
gard to their annual pilgrimage to Lake
Morey were asked for and aseertained
that date not later than the middle
of July was favored by majority of
the members. a disGussioa was had
as to who and how many people should
be invited. The ladies expressed a
preference for a gathering by them
selves and families, and while num-
Der of the ladies were desirous of tax
ing dinner at one of the hotels the pic
mic carried the day in the minds OF the
majority. No further business being
before the Circle the annual meeting
of 1896 adjourned.
The bylaws providing that the of
ficers of the society shall constitute an
executive committee for special occa-
sions, the vice president and secretary
waited upon the president elect, to
make arrangements for the annual out
ing and prepare literary program for
the same. The president assisted IN
carrying out the previously expressed
wishes of the Circle under protest.
July 18th was the day fixed upon for
the event of the season. A program
for the after dinner exercise was ar
ranged designed to bring out the va
ried talents and political opinions OF
the guests husbands and friends) pres
ent. The speakers not being IN evil
dence when the hour came, the circle
enjoyed themselves i'll their own way,
as the secretary is informed, with the
result of a more pleasant
day than usual.
On September 30th the president
wrote her resignation, which the secre-
tary presented the following week
Voted not to accept the resignation
and instructed the secretary to so no
tify Mrs. McDuffee, which was accord
ingly done. Nov. 4th the president
penned an acceptance which was auly
presented at the Circles next meetlng'
The resignation and acceptance nave
furnished the only occasions Tor call
ing the Circle to order in business
way during the year. Nine. ana MIS-
Dickey kindly invited the Iadles TO
meet with them again this year at Eas-
fer and entertained them with choice
literary program and dainty menu.
A COPY of the original poem read on
this occasion should be spread upon
the records of the Society. Your sec
retary labOrs under a disadvantage IN
social functions at neither OF
which she was present.
Weekly meetings for the prosecution
of the studies of the {. l.. ). I. have
been held with much the same regular
ity as in former years. The extremely
rainy weather of the spring. months
has once or twice prevented the class
from gathering, though instances OF
this kind are rare. The interest
in the work of the Society has been
well up to that of former years,
the part of those who have been most
constant in attendance, though per-
haps in numbers the Circle has suffer
ed a decline. The course for the year
has been an interesting one, not poor
book among the five, while the Chau-
tauquan has been better than for two
or three years. That the Circle, as
now numbered. cannot maintain its
former prestage is foregOne conclu-
sion. the ladies are advancing. in years
and the work. enthusiasm and zeal OF
former times are physically impossible.
Younger people, with their animation
and courage are needed to give a slim
ulus to the work of the Circle, though
probably we shall continue without
this added zest like the brook, on and
ON forever.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZA A. BARRETT, Secy.