The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-02-23
AT THE HEADQUARTERS.
Dinner and Exerei.es of the Washington
Association of New Jersey

/
toms birth was appropriately observed
in Morristown and vicinity yesterday,
but chief of the celebrations was that
of the annual observance Of the day
by the members of the Washington
Association of New Jersey, at Wash
ington Headquarters.
During the MONDAY while the freak
ish elements gave forth sunshine and
rain alternately, and while the salute
was being fired from the summit Of
Fort Nonsense, the members from out
of town, together with the invited
guests began to arrive at the historic
old building ON the hill After regis
tering they were cordially received
by President Roberts and the COM
mittee in charge, and their spare time
was then taken up in viewing the
valuable historical relics.
These patriotic exercises held on
February twenty second of each year
are always participated in by not only
distinguished Jerseymen, but also by
prominent residents of neighboring
States, thus making it one of the most
notable gatherings of the year, The
membership of the association reaches
from Sussex to Cape May and from
Mercer to Monmouth, and is particu-
larly strong in Morris and Essex
Counties. About three hundred ac-
ceptances had been returned, but the
variations in the weather had ten
dency to keep some from being pres
ent.
Promptly at o'clock, the assem-
blage was ushered into the banquet
hall where dainty and sumptuous
collation. was served, followed by q
smoker. Social intercourse and a
general recognition of friends formed
the pleasures of an hour during which
sweet strains of stirring patriotic
music discoursed by Voss' orchestra,
of Newark, enlivened the occasion
After the smoker, those present assem-
bled in Lafayette Hall.
President Jonathan W. Roberts, O.
the association, who has filled tina
Office for the past thirteen years in al
able manner, rendered the member
and friends of the association heart,
welcome to the annual celebration O
the birthday of the immortal Wash
ington. Then followed in swelling
strains, full of patriotism, the singing
of America, led by Fred V. Pit
ney.
In resuming his address, Mr.. Robert
said that nearly every month the flai
: on the headquarters had to be raised
at half mast in memory of some
friend of the association, which nov
had five hundred living members.
The affairs of the association, he stated
were never in better shape; no liza
bilities, with the assets increasing
and dividends continuing as before
the latter remark evol1ing round O
applause.
Joseph F. Randolph was then pre-
sented and spoke eloquently on
Washington in fact, or Washington
up-to-date. - He portrayed distinctly
the advancement of the nation in al
things. His speech was followed by
the singing of Hail Columbia -
The president then introduced TIL,
next speaker, Hon. Willard W. Cutler
who gave very interesting historica
account of Morris County in the
Revolution. citing incidents o.
Washington two visits to Morristowr
and the sacrifices made by the inhabi
tants.
Vice Chancellor Pitney followed
with an address on "Individualism
which was intermingled with wittic
ism. At the conclusion of his re
marks, Mr.. Pitney was forced to re
ply to an encore.
The last speaker called upon wa.
the associations distinguished guest
General 0. o. Howard, U. S. A. His
appearance on the platform was the
signal for an ovation which was fol
lowed by three rousing cheers. Hi,
address on Washington as man OF
example was listened to with deep in
terest. General Howard was accom-.
panied by Col Adams, of New York.
The exercises were then brought tc
close by singing "Auld Lang Syne. -