The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-06-23

A heavy shower passed over the pace
about noon, but did not greatly inter
fere with the plans of the day, coming
as it did while the people were enjoying
dinner.
At 80 a concert was held by the
band, after which the exercises Of the
afternoon began. j. F Holman, chair
man of the centennial committee, pre-
sided.
After the opening prayer by Rev, L
G. March, the chairman made few
brief but well-chosen remarks of vel
come. A mixed chorus then rendered
"Let the Hills and Wales Resound."
The GRAFTON was by Hon. B. F. had
bourne of Biddeford, mem Der of the
Railroad Commissioner. Mr.. Chad
bourne is an eloquent and forcible
talker and in his usual pleasing manner
held the entire attention of the audience.
His address consisted chiefly with CON-
mending the New England form Of
town government. He touched upon
matters of local interest aud spoke
of the many able men Athens has sent
out into the world. His remarks
extracts from which are here given, were
frequently interrupted by the enthu-
sastic applause of his audience.
For hundred years this town has main
tanned an organization and administered It's
affairs on 4 plan devised by our f1refathers,
and made famous, an organization in which
all persons and all interests have each their
right.
In open town meeting the prudential al
fairs Of the town are considered with the
right Of every one, the most hum le and the
most influential, to freely express their opn-
| ION. The officers of the town are elected,
and ~ their deliberation annually held to an
account IF their stewardship, and aittimes
pretty sharply criticised. A meeting OF the
people - 1arsact their own business fgr
| themselves in vide distinction from the zity
organization, where the only voice the pe,-
pie really have Is in the election Of an
minstraton board, often-times Ill fitted g.
perform their duty, and always removing the
lpcaple from that close touch with the affairs
which is essential to careful administration.
4 city organization often leads to extrayagant
Expenditures made in the name Of progress.
| The town organization always tends ,o~a.
| careful expenditure in the lines that mean
most to the largest number.
Naur town has furnished its quota + aoty.
men and women in the advancement 4
ether towns, cities and states. We often
hear the term "countryman' usel in q de
rjsiYe sense as applied to the resilient Of ,he
rural town Bun the environment Of ,hc by
| the girl, the young man, the young woman,
Their training IN habits Of industry, economy,
energy, farethought, foresight, education and
devotion make them countrymen in the hest
and W3es, sense, evidenced by the large
number Of men and women who have gene
into the wide fields and are prominent as
leaders IN the large affairs Of their states,
Decrease in population # eur towns IS
often accounted for in the fact that success OF
our countrymen in other and larger places
has created spiut # unrest and discomfort
and am. ttlou t. make men Of life on Tie pant
Of our Young people, otttimes Erca, MS
| take The great SUM It lie measured fy
| the good II aoes IS uite Is large IN the rara.
town as ii coull have aeen in the larger
town. The development. Il the limited
resources means as mach e The world As the
development of The larger ,n more fortunate
locations.
Your churches and schools are evidence Of
Your devotion to the principles Of goai gov
eminent am sao3 living. Here sea are
laying the foundation for their perpe'uauon.
Here you are hitting yeur people 70 play their
part.
Nau are a part af The great state It Maine
H.