The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-29
WILL SMOKE MONTHLY
OPENING ''SMOKE" OF NEW ATH-
LETIC AND ROWING CLUB AN
UNQUESTIONED SUCCESS
PLANS FOR WORK OUTLINED

President Leavitt Corning, In His
Opening Address, Informs the
Members What Is Expected, MS
Well as What Already Has Been
DOne-NO Spirit of Antagonism
Toward Y. NJ. G. A. or Other Gyms.
The st, Paul Athletic and Rowing club
the amalgamation of the old st. Paul
Athletic club and the Minnesota Boat
club, made it's debut last night under the
new name, with the first smoker of the
winter season. The event was attended
by $50 members, and a few invited
guests and proved so popular an at
traction that the officers of the club will
continue 1t as monthly attraction. Dur
ing the evening an informal reception
was held, at which the new officers had
an opportunity of making the acquaint-
ance of such members as do not regularly
attend, after which an entertaining pro-
gramme was given.
The new club has a membership at
present of $50, with an excellent pros
pect of increasing to the 600 mark be-
fore the first of the year. 1t has re-
Gently acquired the property of the Min
including the real estate, club house and
effects of the old organization, and
with the opening of the river will carry
on the work Of the old boat club. The
winter quarters, Sixth and Cedar, have
been enlarged and improved, giving every
facility for athletic work.
The smoker was held in the club gym
nasium, the members assembling around
tables placed for their use while cigars
were served. A string orchestra furnish
ed music while the members chatted, aft
er which G. c. Townsend, former presi-
dent of the st. Paul Athletic club, in
troduced Leavitt Corning, president of the
new organization. Mr.. Corning's re-
marks concerned the plans for the future
of the club and called out hearty ap-
plause. Said he:
Under the new organization the ex-
cellent work of the St. Paul Athletic
club will be carried on with improved
facilities and extended opportunities. 1t
is our plan to maintain a high class
athletic club with moderate fees, to
which every young man of good moral
character may be admitted. The union
of the old athletic club and the Mime
sofa Boat club will enlarge the work and
extend it further than it has ever been
carried before and gives us opportunity
to win laurels in new fields.
with the coming of spring, the prop
erty on Raspberry island, now owned by
the club, will be thoroughly improved
and overhauled. The boat club will be
put in shape and handball, tennis and
other grounds laid out. New boats will
be purchased and everything necessary to
the most efficient work of the club pro-
vided.
I'VE promise you that should the mem
bership reach the 500 mark we will pro-
vide a swimming tank and plunge in the
present quarters before spring. Addition
al improvements will be added from time
to time as the funds are at our disposal.
With a membership of 600 the financial
end of the management will become COM
paratively easy.
II wish to add one more word concern
ing organizations of a similar character
in the city and to refer particularly to
the Y M. c. A. The officers and men,
bers Of this club cannot too strongly
deprecate any spirit of rivalry or any con-
tention Of any nature whatsoever to mar
the spirit of clean, wholesome sport, the
furtherance of which should be the great
object Of the club. We are rivals Of no
organization or club, and our work is diff
ferent and distinct from that pursued by
any other athletic organization in the
city. The officers suggest towards other
clubs and associations one attitude alone
that of the most cordial friendship and
approval"
Following President Cornings address
lunch was served, after which Prof. New
mann gave piano selection, and Nessrs.
Clair and Peasley a song and dance
speciality. Judge E. A. Jaggard addressed
the members, complimenting the club on
its rapid growth and the excellence Of its
appointments and was followed by P. A.
Egan, president Of the club before it's
amalgamation, who called for a con-
tinuance of the enthusiasm and energy
which marked the work under the old
management. Tony Snyder gave vocal
solo and Prof. Florence rendered a piano
number.