St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-03-30
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


dress by DIR. Huse.
Many state societies have been formed
in this city within the past few years.
tending to increase local patriotism, and
it seems to keep up an interest in ones
own state. Three of the New England
states, Maine, Vermont and New Hamp-
shire, have formed successful organiza-
tions. The Vermont society at first met
in small halls, but it outgrew them all
by its increased membership, so it now
meets in the parlors of the Woman's
Club House on Q. street. The program
at the March meeting was fine one; the
chief address was given by DIR. Baker,
once missionary in India. His subject
pie of that Country" The recitation,
"'The Chariot Race" from Ben Hur, was
given by the young man who took the
prize at Georgetown College. The Kim
ball Quartette, sons and daughters OF
Judge Kimball, furnished excellent music,
and brought out encores for their inim-
liable rendering of one of Mother Goose's
melodies.
The New Hampshire society meets in
the Loyal Legion Hall on II. street, N.
w. MIR. Hildreth, the president, is
distant connection of the historian of the
same name. They have very enthusiast
tic society. They make it a vote to have
at least one paper or address upon some
Sta a historical theme Ex Peprecenta.
tive Baker has given them some very
valuable papers on the veterans of the
Revolutionary war from that state. At
the last meeting Hon. Frank Hackett,
ex-asst. secretary of the navy, gave
very interesting talk upon the early
settlement of the state and some sketches
of her old towns. He is a native of
Canterbury, near Concord, N. H. They
have project on foot to centralize all of
the various state societies so that any
man in one state can find out any New
Hampshire man in another city and state
if they become confederated.
The New University Club with about
600 members representing more than
100 colleges and universities was formed
and the following officers were elected
President, Judge William Fl. Taft; LIST
and End vice presidents, George B. Cor
telyou, secretary of department of COM
merce, and Charles 6. Wolcott, chief of
geological survey; secretary, Ralph B.
Barnard; treasurer, Prof. c. E. Monroe
of Harvard College. Judge Taft gradu-
ated in 1873 at Yale, second in class of
12O. All members must have taken some
degrees at the college.
The Hubbard Memorial Hall located
on 10th and M. streets, N. W., was re-
Gently opened and dedicated. It is the
gift of Mrs. Gardener Hubbard, erected
in memory of her husband, who was the
first president and leading founder of the
organization. Before he made Washing
ton his home he resided in Cambridge,
Mass, and was graduate of Dartmouth
College.
The National Geographic Society of
this city has been the leading society for
bers' names on its roll. This new build
ing constructed of brick and stone cost
about $4,000, and is intended to be the
headquarters of the society. Its execu-
tive Offices are on the first floor and the
general hall is on the second floor. The
building is two stories high and finished
inside with white marble. The hall is
lighted by electric lights from the top or
ceiling, giving the room a soft subdued
light very agreeable to the eyes which
reminds one of the light in the senate
chamber. The arrangement to represent
the emblem of the society was very
original: A map of North and South
America under colored glass. brilliantly
lighted by electric lights. DR.. Alexander
Graham Bell, SO well know as connected
with the Telephone company, became the
president after the death of Mr.. Hub
bard, but owing to his large business
interests has resigned lately and Prof.
w. ]. MCGEE has become the new pres
ident. Mrs. Hubbard was assisted in
receiving by DIR. and Mrs. Bell and other
members of the Bell family and also by
Prof. MCGEE and 6. r. Gilbert, vice
president. Many members of the Geo.
graphic Society and also prominent
Washingtonians were present. Con-
spicuous amongst them was DIR. E. E.
Hale of Mass. He is a marked historic
figure in any assembly and has been the
recipient of much attention from all
classes in Washington society. His wife
and daughter were also there and Miss
Hale said very decidedly that her father
must not continue to address literary
clubs and societies almost every night in
the week. 1t is very entertaining to have
him give "reminiscences of Lowell, Whit
tier, Longfellow, and many of our we'll
known authors.
1t is now said that Commander Robert
E. Peary will not start for the Arctic
Ocean the latter part OF May as planned,
for several reasons. He wishes for a
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