The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-15

In celebration Of It's thirty-first ami
versary the st. Paul Chamber of Com
merce assembled about the cheering
banquet tables last night. 1t was 4
notable gathering-a collection of men
who, as President G. P. Noyes well
said, are molding the policies and pro-
noting the welfare of the Northwest
ern country.
The speeches, delivered as they were
by representative citizens of the state,
were dignifed, thoughtful presenta-
tions and discussions of the CONNER
cial, financial and agricultural prob
lens and conditions of the day. But,
that the unimaginative propositions
and competitive features of the buSi-
ness world might not claim all the at
tention of the members and their
guests, the programme was most hap
PLY varied with eloquent addresses by
Archbishop Ireland and Bishop M. N.
Gilbert. which diverted thoughts into
other channels for the time being,
though the welfare of the city and the
state, in even a broader sense, was
likewise the predominating theme of
their addresses.
Many years have elapsed since the
chamber of commerce has celebrated
an anniversary as it did last night at
the Ryan. Annual meetings it has
had-thirty of them, in fact-but not
an annual banquet Of such a charac-
ter 1t was an enthusiastic assem-
blage as we'll as a representative one.
The unmistakable atmosphere of re-
turning prosperity pervaded the feast.
1t was at all times evident, from the
first course of the banquet to the last
speech of the evening. Prosperity
never experienced a heartier and more
enthusiastic welcome. st. PauPs rep
resentative business men never enjoy
ed a more agreeable occasion. 1t will
be remembered.
The cards of invitation announced
that the banquet, which was served in
the ordinary, would begin at p. m.
1t was 7:45 when the members and their
guests seated themselves at the tables.
The ordinary was decorated with
American flags. There were four ta-
bles, that at which President Noyes
and the speakers sat being at the east
end Of the room, and the others leading
from it The procession to the dining
room was headed by ]. j. Hill and
President c. P. Noyes, followed by
those venerable pioneers, Gov. Alex
Ramsey and Capt Russell Blakely
Then came Bishop McGolrick, of Du-
luth, and G. S. Ives, Bishop NJ. N. Gil
bert and Samuel Hill, of Minneapolis,
and Archbishop Ireland and A. B.
Stickney. 1t the principal table the
speakers and guests sat on either side
of President Noyes in the following or
der: At his right. J. ]. Hill, G. S. Ives,
Archbishop Ireland, Capt. Blakely,
Capt. Ray T. Lewis and e. w Peet;
at his left, A. B. Stickney, Gov. Ram
sey, Bishop Gilbert, Gen. J. F. Wade
Conde Hamlin, Bishop McGolrick and
Samuel Hill.
After all had assembled within the
banquet hall. Archbishop Ireland in
voked the divine blessing. Thereupon
all entered upon the discussion of a
most appetizing menu. Not a single
feature of this gaStronOmic delectation
was unappreciated or overlooked. 1t
was choice affair that occupied the
attention of the business men for a
good hour and a half.
While banquetS are more or less SIM
liar in their general characteristics.
presenting as they do an assemblage Of
gentlemen ministering, in a social
fashion, to the Inner man." this par
ticular banquet revealed a unique
scene when the Roman punch was
served with cigarette embellishments.
Upon this occasion some venerable
and sedate citizens were observed in
dulging in the weed in this attenuated
form. But this was a rare occasion
But finally the coffee and cigars
came, and as the wreaths of smoke
f1oated into the air President c. P.
Noyes arose and calling the assem-
blage to order proceeded to deliver mis-
address: