Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-02-28
MEMS CLUB.

\
| The Mems club met Wednesday
evening at Fraternity hall and dined
and when it came time for the talk
fest" the speeches were little out of
the ordinary run of talk as has charac-
terized the meetings of this club in the
past. 1t being the anniversary of
Washington's birth the evening was de-
voted to discussion of the bright
spots in the lives of Washington and
Lincoln.
To G. e. Parlin was assigned the
work of relating the biography and
deeds of Washington. While other
men of colcuial days had much to do
with the four ding of this government
Mr.. Parlin showed clearly that circum-
stances required that such a man as
Washington should be tae leader. He
stands as shining light among the
founders of nations. Gladstone said of
him: If asked who among the found
ers of nations was truly greatest, |
should like to answer it by carving the
choicest granite from the mountain,
chiseling it into beauteous form, and
then across its polished surface should
be inscribed the name of George Wash
ington."
Atty. F. p. Regner spoke of the life
and character of Abraham Lincoln. He
related the early struggles of the mar
tyred president and of his determine
ton to at all times stand for what he
believed to be right, many of his theo-
ries which were first bitterly opposed
were afterwards popular. The rare
traits in Lincoln's life which will for
ever endear him to the American peo-
pie were extolled by the speaker.
Atty. e. b. Bird made a comparison
of each. Washington, born of proud
ancestors, had a streak of vanity in his
nature. He was reared under condi-
tions and influences that were above
those of the average boy of his time,
and was fond of the tinsel of life. Lin
coin was born Of humble parents, was
reared in poverty, worked hard all his
younger days in mastering situations
that would have discouraged the aver
age young man, and finally rose su-
preme above all obstacles that con-
fronted him. While Washington ad-
mired the beautiful, Lincoln was for
the plain things in life. In that respect
they were widely different. In their
power to master problems, their high
sense of honesty, fealty and loyalty to
country they were the same. Each
was the keystone of the political arch
of his time.
Rev. Herbert N. Bigelow, pastor of
the Vine street Congregational church,
Cincinnati, o., and who was the demo-
cratic candidate for secretary of state
in 1902, was invited to make an address.
Mr.. Bigelow is disciple of the Henry
George idea of single tax. Mr.. Bigelow
is very pleasing speaker and has his
subject well in hand. A total of l0,OOO,-
900 people in this country are in chronic
want, securing poor living by the
hardest kind of toll. All men agree
that conditions are not satisfactory.
All honest and thoughtful men would
like to know a remedy. The problem
is to increase the opportunities of capi.
tai and labor so as to absorb more OF
these ten millions down at the bottom
of the social structure. The speaker
believes that the system of taxation has
much to do with our social condition.
All lands, he believes, should be taxed
alike, irrespective of improvements.
He said:
when a man builds a house he
creates wealth and he should be pro-
tected in his rights of private property
in that house. The state should not
confiscate ary portion of that value by
taxing him, certainly not as long as
there are land values which are avail
able for public revenue. This of course
is not cure for all the social ills. 1t is,
however, step and long step in the
right direction, and the people of this
country, especially the people of the
west, are headed in the right direction. I"
The secretary and treasurer, John
Manson, in his annual report said that
the club numbered 1856 members; had
during the year held five meetings with
an average attendance of 80; had spent
1924 20 and received S363.75 and had
outstanding bills amounting to sl7S.
| John Lamont, who with VIM. Chellis
conducted the clubs experimental beet
sugar farm last season, made report.
The report was not very satisfactory
one to the club from financial stand
point. Part of the land planted to
beets was not adapted to their culture
and part of the crop was failure. The
beets that matured filled two cars and
netted S97, but the cost of raising them
amounted to about $500, so that the
club is out about 500. From the reports
of others who raised beets in this sec.
ton the same experience was had and
il is the belief of some that instead OF
trying to propagate the raising of beets
in this county the Menominee River
Sugar Co. is making an effort to dis
courage it by paying poor prices.
The old officers of the club were re
elected as follows:
President-G. ID. Jones.
-President-Karl Mathie.
Secy. and Treas.-John Manson.