The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-01-05

take his coat off for the National Guard, -
and with salvos of cheers he responded to
the compliment paid him. Captain Nor
ton humorously regretted that he had for
gotten all the stories. he intended to tell
and admitted that he expected to say
something. He gave it as his opinion that
Co. B, of the First regiment was one of
the best. If not the best company in
Names National Guard, and that its
captain had been reported to tho War De
partment as especially competent.
Names Guard was getting to be among
the best. but money was needed to en-
nance its efficiency, and tho fact should
be brought to the attention OF the state
legislature. He referred to Adjutant
General Richards as one of the ''best men
on earth" for the position, and were he
made to order he could not be better.
The little trouble about the armory in
which the city was a party was referred
to, and with all differences healed the
building would be one to be proud Of.
Major Collins was introduced as can all
round soldier" and thought that every
year brought improvement to the Nation
al Guard and in military matters, with
judicious work, the state would exem pill
fly it's motto and Lead He counselled
unity of action and "a pull all together. {"
AS representative of the old companies
Captain George A. Dow was presented,
and voiced his friendliness to Co. B, and
thought that much was in store for the
city of Portland if proper encouragement
was given to its resident military organt-
cations.
"A man to put his shoulder to the
Wheel and who will represent Ward :
in the city government and in the futur-
be honored as the Hon. j. H. Dow, was
| the language used by the presiding officer
in introducing Mr.. Dow, who contrasted
the palatlal quarters OF today with those
of years ago, when many Of the young
men present were in their "swaddIing
clothes and promised that If elected to
the council he would get what he could
to still further improve the armory. He
paid handsome compliment to Gen.
Mattocks, whose service with the "old
Light Infantry" was feelingly referred
TO.
Lieut.. McGillicuddy made graceful
speech and he was followed by Captain
Printable of the Governors staff, who
said that he had followed Co. B since
872, since the days of Anderson, on to
those of Baker, and with a glowing
tribute to it's proficiency wished it long
continued success.
Captain Baker was gratified that
officers and men get together in such
social ways and regretted that since he
had lost Major Collins, speech making
was left to him, not through the inability
of his subalterns, but rather through
their bashfulness.
Col. Fay's remarks were bright.
sparkling with wit and most enthusiast
tically received.
Lieut.. Darcis, Captain York, Eben f.
True and G. G Edwards were called up
on and they made apt and appropriate
remarks. dwelling upon the necessity of a
national guard as bulwark of safety
for the nation.
<ao ono oohCiunioA "a pho opoo0AoS q dC-
served vote Of thanks WAS given to the
caterer and to the musicians who inter-
spersed the post prandial observations by
happy musical selections. MIR. G. John
son accompanied by S. Leavitt on the
banjo, gave delightful musical numbers
which were loudly cheered. Only at a
late hour was the banquet hall deserted,
not. however, without three rousing
cheers for the banner company" of
Maine, and it's 2sth anniversary banquet