The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-10-27

a similar occasion in the history of the
association
At half past seven O'Clock President
William NJ. Marks headed the procession
to the banquet hall with Mrs. Fernald,
the sister Of Mayor Charles E. Randall.
Mayor Randall came next with Mrs.
Marks and behind these were over three
hundred ladies land gentlemen. AS the
procession entered the hall the orchestra
in the balcony struck up an inspiring
march and to its music the banqueters
found their places at the we'll arranged
tables. The officers of the association and
the speakers of the evening were sented
at long table which extended the
breadth of the hall and which was placed
at the end furtherest from the entrance.
Six other tables placed at right angles to
this one and ranged in parallels the
other guests. All of the tables were hand
somely arranged and decorated. The snow
white linen on which glistened the silver
and glass, with large bouquets and potted
plants artistioally placed by Dirwanger
the florist, with the becoming toilettes of
the ladies lending additional color to the
scene completed picture extremely at.
traotive. The banquet was perfect in all
it's details, being served in the excellent
manner for which Mr.. Pooler is noted
and it was greatly enjoyed. The orchestra,
of which Mr.. Wilson is the leader, dis
coursed sweet music during the progress
of the feast and added very much to the
plesure of the occasion.
When the time arrived for the post
prandial exercises President William NJ
Marks called the assemblage to order and
read letter from Henry G. Lowell, who
is eighty. five years old, the Oldest member
of the association. Mr.. Lowell was un-
able to attend this festival and in very
touching letter expressed his regrets.
President Marks then delivered his ad-
dress of welcome which was as follows:
PRESIDENT MARKS'S ADDRESS.
We welcome you one and all this even
ming to the triennial festival of the Asso-
citation. We are now in our s4th year,
and ought to be full of wisdom and good
works. We endeavor to be full OF the lat
ter if we do not possess the former. In
the year 1916 this association was or
ganized and incorporated. Its first presi
dent was John Phillips, worthy shoe
maker: vice president. Phineas Varnum;
treasurer, John Leavitt; secretary. Ben
jamin T. Chase. An excellent baker.
The early members were full OF patriotic
spirit. and observed the national no liday
with appropriate Joy and festivity. AS
the standing and means of the association
Increased an article was inserted in the
constitution, in 1928, providing for "a
triennial celebration, on which occasion
an address shall be delivered by men,
br.'' AS we read of the character, stand
ing and religious conviction of the men
who founded the association, and through
many trials and discouragements, placed
III upon the sure foundation on which IL
rests-anticipating the future to such a
remarkable degree-by the erection of
this beautiful block in the year 1857, from
which an adequate income is derived for
it's support and maintenance, we would
fail in our duty, did we not make CRATE
full mention of the singleness of heart and
purpose which filed them, to place the
association on a good financial basis,
which would insure its perpetuity and
usefulness.
Today it is doing good work in our
city, caring for its aged and needy
large and we'll selected library, reading
table, and an evening school during four
months, November to March, for instruc-
tion in architecture, the principles OF me-
chanies and for the promotion of the
mechanic arts.
We are glad to take each other by the
hand, and know that we have part, an
honorable part, in the work of the world.
We are proud tonight of what has been
accomplished, of what our eyes can see
and behold. We point with pride to the
beautiful, stately buildings and blocks
which now adorn our city. the work of
our own city, the work of our own achi-
teots and mechanics. We should fail in
our duty and our privilege did we not &C.
knowledge at this time and pay our
highest tribute of honor and regard to
the other class of mechanics. l refer to
the ladies-the wives and mothers-how
great and mighty is their influence, their
power, the making and training of
men, sending them forth from day to
day. happy in the reward and apprecia-
tion that comes from being the architect
and mechanic of the home. Great is the