The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-11-17
The Mems Club,

no hCb 1luU.
TO the Public Spirited Citiz.ns of Show
/ hegau:
Three years ago this fall there was
/ organized In this town an institution
known as the Skowhegan Mems Club.
It's promoters belicv that there was Il
place In the varied activity of the town
for an organic alton comprised OF il
"idt-awake, public spirited, thinking
men, whatever their calling, creed, or
political utilization. With two primary
objects IN view. the cultivation or Il
higher quality of citizenship In the town.
and the enlightenment of the members
of the organization on questions OF vital
interest to every man DESTROYS Of KEEP
ing abreast of the times, the club was
organized and given Its first impetus.
The results amply justified the move.
For two seasons the Skowhegan Mems
Club was vital influence In the town, a
source Of inealculabie profit and enjoy
ment to its members. Prevented by its
constitution from Identifying itself with
any movement, political or otherwise
which might sidetrack IL from its true
purposes It's meetings offered an admir-
able field for discussion of questions of
the day, local and general, entirely free
from partisan II fuence or other bias,
and with the sole object of obtaining
clearer views on public questions as n
result OF information aud enlightenment.
That the sentiment which alone mad.
possible the removal OF the old bridge 8
and the construction OF the present ex-
cellent structures was the outcome OF
the discussions In the Mems Club is be
yond question. Manual training, thu
Ia 81
government, and numerous other ques
tions OF local policy to come before the
town in the meeting of its voters, were
| first settled in the meeting of the Skow-
hogan Mems Club. Questions of State
interest, of national policy, of economic
and social interest, matters that no IL
tellgent voter should allow himself to
neglect, were given thorough and ra-
| tional consideration. A mid-winter
bar Quet, at which the eloQuence of two
of Names best speakers contributed to
one of the most enjoyable functions
Skowhegan has ever experienced, will
be long remembered by those who at
tended.
Last year no meetings were held
This fall a strong attempt has been
made to revive the organization, and
place 1t once more IN the strong position
1t once held, II possible, to make Il
stronger. To this end, firmly believing
that once interest is aroused there will
be no call for further stimulus, we have
ventured to trespass on the kindness Of
the REPORTER to the extent of making
this brief appeal to the men OF Skowhe-
gan.
1t Is a pitiful commentary on town
that boasts of its prestige and progress
that the meetings OF its only organic =
ton attempting to II culcate and extend
principles of civic pride and duty should
command the interest of a paltry fifteen
or twenty in voting population It
/ 400. 1t is true that Skowhegan Is a.
ready honey-combed with clubs and or
CARNATIONS, of every conceivable natur,
but il is also true that in this particular
! field the Mems Club is without rival.
The women of the town find no difficulty
in keeping up interest in four strong
literary organizations, besides numeron
social clubs. Is it to be said that the
men cannot support anything outside of
their social clubs and their lodges? W.
refuse to believe it. The Board of Trade
has failed to live up to its privileges E;
we propose to usurp its functions ara
extend tn Sc privileges, and we are CO. :
| fident the men OF the town will sustain
US.
The next meeting of the club will be
held next Monday evening, Nov. 81, in
the Library Parlors, commencing al
30. Our townsman, c. j. Abbey, has
been invited to be present and to speak
on the system of electric lighting, a
theme that should interest every man in
Skowhegan. The invitation Is general,
and we want TO see those parlors crowd
ed. We shall gauge the interest in this
club and the principles 1t represents by
the attendance at that meeting. Come
and bring your neighhor along.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Skowhegan, Me-, Nov. II, '04.