The San Francisco call., 1897-01-22
A NIGHT WITH MECHANICS
The Y. M. C. A. Thrown Open to
Representatives of That
Calling.
E oqusnt Address Delivered by Irving
M. Scotia Pleasing Musical
Programme.

Last night was mechanics night" at
the Young Mems Christian Association,
and a large audience, principally COM
posed of those who have to do with ma
chinery, assem- bled in the handsome audi
torium of the institution to enjoy pro-
gramme, musical and oratorical.
Edward Coleman, president of the Pa
cific Coast Rolling mills, occupied the
chair, and delivered a brief opening ad-
dress. The audience was also warmly
welcomed by General Secretary Mccoy
who later in the evening expatiated elo-
quently on the nu merous attractions and
advantages which the Y. M. G. A. affords
its patrons.
The most noteworthy and distinctive
feature of the evenings entertainment
was an address by Irving M. Scott of the
Union Iron Works. He spoke, as one
whose profession entities him to speak. of
what the mechanical arts and sciences
have accomplished for humanity.
"The mechanic" he said, "is more than
a man. He is a man and a mechanic, too.
Most OF the luxuries and grand enter
prises of to-day are the work OF the me-
chanic. This concentration of intelligent
force, agitated along well-known lines,
makes the constructive engineer or the
educated mechanic colossus in the do
main Of human prod
'All the wealth the world possesses,
whether stored in the caverns, in the
rocks, the bowels of the earth, in the sky
or in the sea, responds to the touch of the
skilled mechanic and obeys the laws
which he has studied and developed.
Thus recognizing the position of the me-
chanlc in the economy of civilization, we
have in this hall mechanics night"
The speaker contrasted the widely diff
fused comforts and luxuries OF modern
times with the squalor and discom Tort
shared alike bv king and PEASANT 300
years ago. AT that time the mechanic had
no place in the social scale.
Since then he has risen to the realization
of position which enables him to aspire
to every honorable occupation. 1.-The
Queen of Sheba or King Solomon him.
self" exclaimed Mr.. Scott, in a forcible
passage, never went upstairs in an ele-
vator."
Coming nearer home he alluded to the
successful achievements of San Francisco
in the mechanical world.
What a mighty race" he said, might
we not be If we could but hold fast to all
the virtues and shake loose from all the
vices of those civilizations which have
preceded us. In this country where schools
are free and the workshops open to the
young, we ought to find the highest type
of human being of which history has
record.
'If we are true to the principles upon
which our Government is founded, true 10
ourselves and to the arts mechanical,
there is no doubt that in the future we
may rise to higher and nobler plane.
Let us therefore put shoulder to brother s
shoulder and strive steadfastiv for the
consummation of that grand object. when
humanity shall live as God intended it
should live, in brotherly peace, charity
and love-"
The balance of the programme Included
sele ctions by the California Quartet and
the Columbian orchestra, recitation and
character monologUe by Professor G. B.
Newton, recitation by Rev. DR.. Henry
Varley, the celebrated English evangelist,
and finally an athletic exhibition and q
game OF basket ball in the gymnasium.