The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-12-10
HELD FAREWELL BANQUET.
TO DEPARTING MEMBERS OF
 ISRAEL PUTNAM LODGE.

Members Retiring on Account of Great
 I"crsaIs of Dues for Mem Over Fifty
 fiv. Banquetsd by LOdse-waiisr
 Leigh, Retiring Grand Master, Made Passionate Farewell speech.
 Over $50 members of Israel Putnam lodge No. 31. A. O. U. w., attended the farewell banquet rendered last night by the lodge to Past Grand Workman Wall ter Leigh and the retiring members of the lodge. The banquet was complete success from start to finish and one of the most successful affairs ever held by the order.
 J. P. Hunie acted as toastmaster and introduced each speaker in a decidedly original style.
 The first speaker of the evening in- troduced by Postmaster Hunie was Alderman J. P. Ricketts, who spoke on | Our City" In his speech MT. Rieketts spoke of the present aldermanic board and said he considered it an honor to serve with such body of men.
 Postmaster Hunie next introduced W. P. Neville, past master of the lodge, who told of the work of the different grand masters of the lodge and their specialties.
 Judge James Bishop. who followed MT. Neville, spoke on the subject Fra ternity." He made an interesting ad- dress, telling of his own experiences in the lodge. Judge Bishop introduced several bright stories into his speech, which greatly added to it's interest.
 The toast "The Ladies" was respond ed to by George Butler, who told of the good done by that sex in the history Of the world.
 Amid the applause of the diners the next speaker was introduced, Walter Leigh, the retiring grand master. MT. Leigh told of the action of the national body in raising the dues of the lodge, which practically drove the nails in the coffin of the lodges from Maine to Con- lnecticut. He spoke of his sorrow in leaving the lodge and wished godspeed to these of the members that had left the lodge and also to those that re- imained. He told of the conditions eX- isting in the east, especially in Connec- ticut, where the assessment was raised from $2,3G0 to over $6,0O0. MT, Leigh | in his address showed that Connecticut for long time had not only been sol vent and paid its own bills, but had raid those of the order in other states MT. Leigh's address was full of feeling land showed the deep regret with whicf he left the order and those to whom he ihad been bound by fraternal ties fol twenty years. At the close he was greeted with loud applause, showing the esteem with which he was held by I the members. e.e.ss-'
 John J. Howard, prominent mem Der of the lodge, who was introduced next, responded to the toast Our De parting Members" He was loudly ap, plauded. ..s..... s ... assssess8. <. E5 .,s.
 The banquet closed with the singing
 of .Auld Lang syne" by the entire lodge. < Gt1.t zs2. ee@.sss,
 During the banquet excellent music was rendered by an orchestra and vo' cal selections were given by William and J. P. Heating. ~.. ..--5,., The farewell banquet was the resul : of the action of the national body II 2 Bridgeport year ago. when it raised the dues of the older members in tht New England lodges. A number Of tn, local men have refused to stay in tht lodge under the existing conditions , among these being Walter Leigh th' past grand master.