The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-02-22
Y. M. 6. A. GROWING.
Favorable Reports Presented to
the Convention,
DR.. NOrthrup Gives an Excellent Address,
Following Mayor Curriers' Well
come and the Response.

The Y. NJ. c. A. state convention
began in earnest Thursday evening, and
settled down to work in a business like
way, under the direction of men who
have mental capacity and an adapt
ability for the work. The Presbyterian
church was filled, a large number
overlooking from the auditorium into
the lecture room. The number of dele
gates had been largely increased by the
evening trains, and there was a gen.
eral OutpOuring of our citizens, who
were attracted by the excellent pro-
gram.
VIM. II. Laird Of Winona, chairman
of the last convention, presided owe
the early part of the meeting.
Q. NJ. Keller of Iowa led a service
of song at the opening.
The association male quartet, COM
posed of Paul J.. Gilbert of Indiana,
first tenor, @. j. Hunt of st. Paul,
second tenor, MIR. Keller first bass, E.
W. Peck of Minneapolis, second bass,
rendered several selections during the
evening and deserved the very favor
able criticism which was bestowed
upon it by the audience. MI. Gil
bert sang several solos in a manner
that would have won him repeated en-
cores had the occasion been a high
class concert. He has a very sweet
voice, well cultivited, with sucffiient
volume, and under complete control.
Welcome and Response.
Mayor Currier gave a brief address
of welcome to the delegates. He said
that he was in hearty sympathy wi tn
the objects of this association. He did
not feel equal to the occasion, but
when he extended a cordial welcome
he was sure that he voiced the senti-
ment of a vast majority of the citi-
Zens. The association had done a great
deal of good. Perhaps there never
was a time in the history of the coun-
try when there was so much need of
men Of strong moral courage and in
dividuality. Grave questions are de-
handing solution and must be settled
right. The class of men who compose
this association will do much toward
making a correct solution of these prob
lens. Once more he bid the conven-
tion a hearty welcome.
1. G. Seeley of Minneapolis respond
ed on behalf of the convention, and
said that it certainly was a privilege
as we'll as a duty to respond to this
hearty NSiSolAe. IL Was viii SiS"o
pleasure that the young men of the
state I'D come to this Cit Tie as
socIation, ne said, is fifty years old
this year.. In Minnesota had been be-
gun one of the new branches of the Y.
NJ. @. A.-the county work, which has
been so successful that the national
association will take it up. There are
now twenty-one associations in Mime
sofa, with a membership of about 81
500. There are l, 500 organizations in
the United States, embracing a mem
bership of 300, 900 young men, Local
associations own $50 buildings, valued
at over $40, 900, 900. Over 600 associ-
ations have libraries and over 800 have
educational classes. The convention
was glad to accept the welcome to
Mankato and hoped that the city
would have no occasion to regret the
invitation which it had issued and
that it would repeat it in the future,
In order that the association might
again partake of the city's hospitality.
State Secretary Peck stated that
Gov. Van SAINT had accepted an invi-
tation TO be present and make some
remarks, and had expected to come un-
til Thursday morning. He read the
following letter which he had received
from the chief executive:
''St. Paul, Feb. IL, 1901.
''E. W. Peck, Esq, Minneapolis,
Minn.-My dear sir: Your letter re-
ceived and contents noted. L greatly
fear hat 1 cannot be with you on the
evening mentioned. 1 would like very
much to be present if it were possible,
but l am so pressed with business and
have so many engagements that it is
almost impossible to leave the city.
If l can possibly be with you, however,
l will be glad to do so. Should 1 not
be able to be present, please present
my greetings to the members of the
Y. NJ. G. A. and the good people as
sembled, and assure them that l wish
them every success in their splendid
work.
Cordially yours.
" q A A-nJ 4