Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-28

building. When the exercises began.
at IL A. NJ. there was not an inch OF
standing room left in the hall The
hall seats 500 and with aisle chairs
seats SO. As the space could accom-
modate but a small part Of those de-
string to be present, the admission was
by ticket.
After the opening music. prayer was
offered by Rev John =. Fogg. The
poem Of the day was written by Mrs
Salina r. Reed of Auburn. Mrs. Reed
is n native Of Monmouth and gradu-
ate Of Monmouth Academy The adj
dress was delivered by Chancellor Day
nf Syracuse University, also a native
W, Monmouth. ana a distinguished fig
.t.. :. the Methodist educational and
oc,t,-l stical field. DR. Day took for
his infect The New America" His
address was eloquent and powerful,
holding the attention Of the great audi
ence to the last word and being liber-
ally punctUated with hearty and ap-
preciatve applause.
Music followed after which DR.. e.
NJ. CumstOn. the generous donor Of tn
building. made the formal presentation,
speaking as follows:
Fellow Citizens-No words Of mine can
fully express my pleasure and satisfac-
ton in Joining with you. today. In the OK
,.rciscS of the official opening and dedi
cation Of this building for the purposes
tor which il has been erected. ana i'll the
knowledge that for many years to come
the people of this town will possess and
enjoy suitable accommodations for the
town government. Il home for the public
library and an adequate place for whole
some public entertainment and amuSe-
ment.
In the year 1854 my father brought his
family to this town in order to give his
children the educational advantages Of
Monmouth Academy. And 50 my boy
hood was spent here and here | received
my early education. In all the years Of
my life. whether living here or elsewhere,
I have loved the old town and regarded
myself as belonging to 1t. Long ago II
was my purpose, expressed in my Will.
t. show my love and interest for the peo-
PIE of the town by a legacy Tor the cree
ton of 4 town building. Finally dccid-
"d instead t. present one 20 the town dur
ing nv lifetime.
THAT nearly all the work necessary for
the construction of this building has been
done by our citizens, and that il stands
Us Il monument 10 the skill ana intrlli-
gencc of Monmouth wOrkmCn. are added
sources Of satisfaction to YOU and me.
When the elaborate plans We're completed
tho expectation was that men from Othei
places would be needed to construct the
more difficult parts. but our mechanics
ana decorators. under the direction Of our
accomplished architect, have proved
themselves equal To the task, and shown
that they are not tXctlled by the expert
rncrd workmrn of large cities
''AS an author in tn" preface of book
often expresses his Indebtedness to those
who have aided him in his work. 50 |
take this occasion 10 acknowledge my in
dtbtedueSS and express my thanks to
some of thuse whose assistance has been
invaluablc 70 me II ne Designing and
construction of this building. | mention
first Mr.. Harry II. Cochrane, the archi-
IeCt and decorator. lie has proved him
self a master in this his first undertake
ing. When | submitted his plans 70 eX-
perienccd contractors In some of ou'
cities they at once expressed their won
der at the completeness Of the dra wings.
Seldom. if ever. had they seeu 50 careful
work But with the plans drawn and the
work commenced. MIR. COchrane showed
that he was equal to the practical as
we'll as the theoretical part of the under
taking. Today, We are IN a building com
p!eted according to his original plans. He
knew where every timber belonged, and
the entire relation of every part of the
building To every other. Monmouth has
reason to b. proud of the illGStrious son
who has brought distinction to his town
as well a. to himself. | am proud of the
heaurtnl building. but prouder Of the
II also mention Mr.. Mellen J. Hans
com. the head carpenter. whose faithful
and efficient services have been invalu-
able and deserve the highest commcnda-
ton. | express my admiration of the un-
surpassed work of Mr.. Daniel KaVa-
nauGh. the head plasterer. | also extend
my thanks to all who worked in any ca
pacity on the building. because | observed
that they tried to do their best in order
that the town might have building as
nearly perfect a. possible
My thanks are also due to those citi-
Zens who literally volunteered services or
money in the work of eNCaVating for the
cellar and hauling material for the build
ing. | kept an accurate account of their
contributors, and did not allow myself
to receive a cent of the benefit of them,
applying the whole amount to the cost OF
furnishing the building. in order that
those generous citizens might have the
credit of contributing to the town ana
not to ne. II this hail shall aid the
G tuse of good government. and shall af-
'Hrd benefit and pleasure to the people of
the town. | shall feel amply rewarded for
all chat | have done.
TN committing this building now sub
stanhally completed. into your custody. |
enJoin upon you and your successors that
II shall be protected by proper custOdians
and always be kept in perfect repair
II nold in my hand a deed. the delivery
OF which to your selectmen will consti-
tute the final act OF my gift of this hall
10 the town of Monmouth. In the Dres-
ence OF my fellow citizens | now have
the pleasure and honor Of delivering tho