The Portland daily press., 1898-01-26
A PROMISING YOUAGSTER.
A New Republican Club Formally
ChFiStened.
MANY PROMINENT OFFICIALS
PRESENT AT CEREMONY.

witty spesches by Mayor Randall, Seth l.,
Iarrabee and Other County and Muni-
cipaI ofHcers-New Organization Be-
gins Life Under Favorable Circum-
stances.
With an enthusiasm which augurs well
for the earnestness. harmony and ACTIVITY
among Republicans in that section OF tne
city, the West End Republican and Soclal'
club formally threw open the doors OIL
their COSY room at 2s5 st. John street TO
the public last night.
1t will be remembered that an organlzat
tion was perfected January 10th ana tne
following officers were chosen: PRESIDENT
@. A.. Shaw; vice president, ID. A.
Moulton; secretary, W. d. Sawyer; treas
urer, George T. Kavanaugh. There are
now enrolled $50 members and charter
has been applied for to put the club on
permanent footing.
Chinese lanterns We're stretched aoouu
and red Flights weres burning brightly
in front of the room while within Amerl-
can flags were hung on the walls, the
nillars were festooned with bunting ana
nrominent in view were portraits OF Hon.
Thomas B. Reed and ex-Gov. ii. D.
Cleaves.
While the members and their frlends
were gathering Howe's West END pano ol
twenty five pieces discoursed inspiring
music from the outside and afterwards
ipterspersed the proceedings of the meet
inr with airs which called forth hearty
applause, its efforts were praised on all
sides.
About eight o'clock, after singing by
shaw's ouartette, composed of Mr.. Shaw,
Ernest L. True, Councilman George Il.
Smith and PelIetier Whitehouse, Presl-
dent Strout called the meeting to order
saving that this wns the opening of the
club and there was convincing PROOF
about him that it had ecome to stay;
that 1t was banded together to advance
the principles of the Republican party
which can never reach full fruition except
through the work of organized bodies ike
this. "The club" said the speaker, lis
organized for no clique, but for the whole
party.' He paid handsome tribute to
Speaker Reed and ex-Gov. Cleayes, and
referred to the fact that as in national
affairs we look to the President in
municipal matters we turn naturally to
the Mayor whom he then introduced as
one possessing all the qualities necessary
to fill the office, with good record De-
hind him and an assurance of reelection
before him.
Mayor Randall was enthusiastically re-
ceiyed and began by saying that ne was
clad to meet SO many Republicans, for 1t
augured well for the success of the party,
for when Ward z hustles victory is in the
air. The speaker took issue with those
who argued there should be no politics IN
municipal affairs as to his mind the need
was as great as in affairs national. lie
thought the city of Portland was prosper
ing and referred to the many important
events which had happened during bis
administration. "The city administration
has gone along very smoothly, SAID
Mayor Randall, 'except when the aiaer'
man from seven got after the alderman
from three He mentioned the TACT thai
$40. 600 dollars had been turned into the
city treasury in excess OF that 1or Tn;
same time last year, and that the bonded
debt was likely to be reduced 100000 by
the end of the year. " A pretty good
showing" said he, "and if any one
thinks the Democratic party can do better
he had better go to that party" Don't
believe it, loudly came from one nearby
as the Mayor resumed his seat.
President Strout remarked that while
IL was not safe to hazard prediction as
to lust how healthy child might develop,
nevertheless he would venture prediction
that there was present "a governor to be,
and one who in short time would occupy
the gubernatorial chair of Maine" Thus
he introduced the Hon. Seth L. Larrabee
who expressed belief in Republican clubs
and said: 'sIt is claimed that Republi
can clubs make politicians. and looking
about him humorously continued, 81
think politicians make clubs. !" You art
not looking in the glass are you, audlbly
remarked by one near by caused grea
laughter. Referring to state matters h'
believed she most interesting question
)hat .the8 Republicans shave to NEE
wasEthe demand for higher morality IL
he execution Of puhlic trnsts an7 IN +h'