The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-11
Governor-EIect Winfield II. Durbin
Was Present and Made nm
Interesting Tall.
WELCOMED BY MR.. C. E. COFFIN
HE RENDERED THE HOSPITALITY
OF THE CLUB TO VISITORS.
Speaker Artman, John w. Kern and
Others Heard In Brief Re-
marks-A Good Time.

and the member of the Senate and House
last night was a most delightful affair.
The club is famous for its hospitality, but
on this occasion 1t seemed to have outdone
itself. Excellent cigars were provided in
great abundance for all who cared TO
smoke. and in the dining room, which was
ornamented with flowers, were tables
loaded with plates of dainty sandwiches
of several kinds. pickles. olives and sailed
peanuts. Coffee and fine quality of fruit
punch were also served. In the hall near
the billiard room was stationed Henry
Harris orchestra, consisting of Italian
harp. cornet, violin. clarionet and bass viol,
which played at frequent intervals all of
the latest popular airs.
The first hour of the evening was spent
by the legislators and members of the Com
mercial Club in getting acquainted and in
renewing old friendships. 81 was a men,
Der of the Legislature of $780," said one
man.. land received an invitation to one
of these receptions, but / let business keep
me away. But nothing shall ever prevent
me from coming here when l am invited in
the future" The sentiment expressed by
this man was expressed freely-that the
Commercial Club is a good place to go
and spend an evening.
oIe1EI ALho mtDL.
Charles E. Coffin. president of the club.
raped for order at about 8 o'clock and an
nounced that the formal proceedings of the
evening would begin. Mr.. Collins address
of welcome, in which he incorporated his
introduction of John w. Kern as the next
speaker, was brief but eloquent and evoked
frequent outbursts of spontaneous ap-
plause. He said:
"GppflpmpU Of The General Assembly an6
Others: AS president of this club it is my
privilege. and. personally, it is my very
great pleasure, to receive you here this
evening. The Commercial Gu is the
largest nonpartisan and nonsectarian or
ganization In the State. 1t is composed of
one thousand of the most progressive and
energetic business and professional men of
this city. They are giving their time AMI
their money unselfishly in the building up
of the best interests of the city and of the
State. and In their name l welcome you
here this evening. In their name L say
that we are honored by your presence, and
we give you a cordial welcome to these
clubrooms. and to the members OF the Leg
islature l Will say We would be glad TO
have you use them in any way you may
see fit during your brief sojourn in our city.
After the two nominating conventions had
completed their work last summer 1 found
that each Of the tickets was headed by d
personal friend of mine-two men who are
both worthy of occupying the chair of the
chief executive of this State [applausel,
49, $1,000 ~ W AAAe go No NAC BIZ
who had two strings to her bow said, We
might be happy with either were Z other
dear charmer away The head of the
Democratic ticket has long been a warm
personal friend of mine. He has been my
n%eighbor. / have known him socially, off,
cially and in a business way. and in every
relation of life / have known him only To
love him and named him only TO praise. He
has long been a worthy member and direc-
tor of this club. 1t is, therefore,. very
WQlPOma IN this OCpa Si1n He iQ the WORTHY
attorney of this, your capital city. He was
the worthy leader of the Democratic party
in the last campaign. He would be a
worthy leader of the party i'm the national
campaign. lApplause.1 / therefore have
the very great pleasure and esteem il d
great honor to present TO you Hon. John w.
Mr.. KERN APPLAUDED.
Mr.. Kern was given a hearty greeting
when he rose to speak. He talked for ten
minutes in his usual happy vein. Mr.. Kern
said with a smile that several months ago
he had hoped to be able by this time to
be in a position to deliver TO the members
of the Legislature an official instead of
an unofficial message, but that the voters
had willed otherwise. He paid a high
tribute TO Governor-elect Durbin. saying
that he knew of no one better qualified
for the high office of Governor. Mr.. Kern
took occasion in his speech to urge the ad-
visibility of making the sessions Of the
Legislature longer. saying that the de-
velopment of the State has been so rapid
that a sixty-day term Is far too short
to admit of the passage of suitable legis-
lation. He commended also that the pres
ent term is so short that the legislators
have not time in which to examine the
multitude of bills introduced, in order that
they may vote intelligently upon them. On
behalf OF the club and of the city of In
dianapolis, the speaker extended a cordial
welcome TO the legislators and all others
Mr.. Coffin presented Colonel Winfield T.
Durbin. Governor-elect. as the next
speaker, calling attention TO the fact that
Colonel Durbin in coming to Indiana's cap
ital as Governor is but returning to the
city which was for ten years his home.
GOVERNOR ELECTS REMARKS.
Colonel Durbin said: Mr.. Chairman:
II 1 had consulted my physical
condition. l possibly would not be
present with you this evening. but some
how or other L could not stay away. L
wanted TO come. l wanted TO greet my
friends of other days whom 1 have known
here In this city and my new-formed ac-
quaintances that are coming here TO remain
with you sixty days. Many of them. how
ever. 1 have known. This occasion touches
me rather peculiarly. Ii is as though your
city were extending a kind of 'Howdy.
Colonel, welcome back home again and
IL is no reflection upon the city of my pres
ent residence when | say L am glad TO come
10 Indianapolis once more and become a
citizen for a few years of this beautiful
city. / was in your midst. as some OF you
know, for ten years, the most valuable
years of my life. / got my business train
ing and experience here. and / return to
this city with as much admiration for IL as
those of YOU who continued TO live here
since 1 went away. This is not your city
altogether. Ii Is ours. IL belongs 10 the
State. 1t is our capital city. We are proud
OF IL. we are proud of you who have made
"a what IL is. II is great. You are great.
You know IL Is not fame, nor rank, noy
state. but get up and git that makes men
great. That is what has made your city
great [applausel. that Is what made you
great. / am glad to come back. 1 wish your
city was a little g~reater-large enough "a
have a house in which / could live laugh
teri. L have been for three weeks trying
man TO move away for the winter and LEI
me go In and occupy his house. That Is no
Intended for the residents of indianapolis
alone. There are some who came here for
sixty days that might listen to that also
laughter AS a citizen ef Indian.
apolis / want to be permitted To extend a
cordial welcome to these sixty-day guests
Have you seen them I'm a body to-day
They are a fine-looking body OF legislativ,
gentlemen. citizens Of indianapolis. / am
sure you will be proud OF them. | am quite
sure you will be satisfied with the recorc
they shall make"
BUSINESS MEN INTERESTED.
81 am glad 10 see the business men o.
indianapolis taking an interest i'm tn
Legislature. Ii means much when tn
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