The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-09-02
rs HE UNGRATEFUL?
What Is the Meaning of A. P. buttons
Criticisms?

CT1L1c1SmS!
A. P. Dutton, president of the Ra-
cine County Old Settlers club, puts
himself into print in the Racine Times
on the matter of the Old Settlers picnic
in this county last Thursday, and in
passing throws out some remarks about
the club of which he was made a guest
while here, and which the members of
the Kenosha County Old Settlers club
resent. It seems hardly to be neces-
sary 20 state that having been a guest
of the club he is hardly in position to
rush into print with criticisms of his
host.
He starts out with an allusion to the
fact that the club admits others than
old settlers to membership, and throws
out the insinuation that it does not
recognize supreme ruler, and runs in
political speeches and religious discus
sions in its meetings.
Nothing could be further from the
truth. There have meyer been polit-
ical or religious discussions on the
grounds under the auspices of the Old
Settlers club. Mr.. Dutton writes
poppycockism.
He winds up the article with this
supremely ridiculous peroration:
In conclusion, let me suggest that
Kenosha county organize an old set
tiers society something after the plan
of other societies of the state; that it
recognize divine providence; suppress
political speakers; rule off of the
grounds all devices for gambling; tear
up the dance platform and come right
down to the work of making the old
people happy on that day. Call in the
children and the grandchildren to just
make a merry day, you shall have my
best wishes"
Taken in the order of his summing
up it may be proper to state to Mr..
Dutton that it is not in order for him
to suggest anything, for the reason that
the Racine County Old Settlers club is
organized on beggar plan. 1t has no
grounds of its own. 1t gathers on a
piece of ground simply at the suffrance
of the owner. It has to beg financial aid
every year. The club in this county
cw1s its grounds and the buildings on
them, and its affairs are so financed
that it never has to beg. Political
speeches have never been heard on the
grounds, but speeches which point out
the dangerous tendencies of the times
and which tend to destroy the founda-
ton work of the old settlers have al
ways been in order, and it is hoped
always will be. Kenosha county old
settlers hope never to become fossil
lied and able to hear nothing but their
early doings constantly recounted.
When it comes to the dance platform
Mr.. buttons memory must be short.
Wasn't it only last year that he re-
counted his early experiences in dane
ing at Bullen's bridge, and did he not
then and there issue a challenge to
every old settler present that he could
dance better and harder than any of
them present, and did he
not invite any of them to
come upon the platform to
try conclusions with him? Perhaps
Mr.. buttons dancing ability is falling
somewhat shorter as he grows older,
but he should remember some of his
earlier days.
The people seem to endorse the
course taken by the Old Settlers club,
since they patronize it in increasing
numbers each year. If Mr.. Dutton
does not there is no law OH the statute
books at present that will compel him
to attend.