Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-18
The 2ooth Anniversary
Appropriately Observed.
Public Exercises il Symphony
Hall at Boston.
The City and Stab Unite il Honoflng
Memory Of The Great Man.

poston, Jan. 1.-THE state of Massa-
cbusetts and the city OF Boston united
today in celebrating the 2OOth anniVer-
sarv of the birth of Benjamin Franklin.
Public exercises were held in symphony
han in the presence of large company.
The program was marked in char
ac,er. and included the singing OF MS
torical and patriotic selections by
chorus Of pupils from the Boston pupic
echools and addresses by prominent
men. The opening prayer was given Dy
p,cv. George a. Gordon, pastor or tne
Old South church. The selection OF Dr.
Gordon was of interest inasmucn as
franklin was baptized in the Old South
meeting house.
The Introductory remarks Of the ex-
ercises were made by former Mayor
samuel Abbott Green Of Boston, IN ms
capacity as chairman of the JOINT COM
,0ittee on the celebration. The speak
e. characterized Franklin as the most
conspicuous character in American
history during his lifetime with possi-
biz a single exception. Former Hresl-
dent Henry S. Pritchett of Massachu-
yn.ts Institute Of Technology told the
story of the Franklin fund, or his gift
10 Boston, pointing out that an orlgl-
nal fund, one thousand pounds by
franklin to the town of Boston had
crown at the end of 100 years from Its
r., option to $43l ,735. In 100 years the
ORIGINAL capital has been multiplied
Huout 90 times. Mr.. Pritchett explained
int a large part of this fund would be
u:..d in establishing the Franklin union,
la,nfa1 IN fha edilca tiOn
a1i social betterment and enjoyment of
those who worked.
The establishment of this union is
made possible by large contribution
BY Andrew Carnegie.
The Grafton Of the occasion was de-
liy.red by President Carroll d. Wright
cf Clark college. His subject was Our
IL bt TO Franklin"
Gov. Curtis Guild, Jr. spoke for the
state OF Massachusetts and Mayor John
f. Fitzgerald for the city of Boston. A
Ein"n entitled benjamin Franklin"
written for the occasion by James JEFF
fry Roche. the American consul in
Genoa, Italy. was read by DIR. Lory Ba-
con Henderson. The benediction was
p4'pnounced by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Nm
Eyrne. vicar general OF the arch diocese
of Boston.
Ey direction of Mayor Fitzgerald, all
the public buildings displayed flags and
t,i SCI Colhouses were. similarly decor
atrd.
cld Granary. which Is the burial
g.,und OF Franklin's parents, was dec
or1ted with streamers and national col
cr.. Faneui Hall and the old state
Ht,'- c1cn hf tho inn.ll pIr1hlpplS
N ,treath of evergreen rested upon the
launument Of Franklin which stands
~ front OF City hall. This was the
ojfcring of the Daughters of the Rev
tijtiCn.
IN all Of the public schools exercises
commemorative of tn" anniversary
We're held. At the Normal school.
thr orator wac Edwin j.. Meade. Mr..
r., nde spoke of Franklin and Emerson
as the two greatest sons Of Boston. OF
MI sons of Boston. F'ranklih's fame is
lar the greatest. he said.
Arong the distinguished guests At
fi:r ,xercis,s AT Syphony hall were the
aIr. Jusserand The ambassador
cane here particularly to deliver IN ad-
d!c.s in the evening 1T L meeting of the
f0'lt'S Ol tIe IttNOiutoI
ln,or of Franklin.
III giving the greeting of the Com
mnnwealth. Governor Child said:
A farmer a philosopher. poet.
franklin lived strangely varied life
apI Perhaps served the world in more
directions than any other man in his
tory. He has left monuments in leeis-
iiion. in science, in treaties. and in
literature. but none more noble than
one of his own rules of conduct: Use no
hurtful deceit. think nnoccntly and
Ju,tly. and, If you speak, speak accord
jnGly.'"
Two societies held banquets tonight and
listened to addresses in memory of
FRANKLIN. Both the banquets were held
:t Hotel Somerset. The Massachusetts
Society OF the Sons of the Revolution had
~ their principal guests NJ. Jusserand.
the French ambassador He was well
coined by Gov. Guild and responded with
an interesting address.
Other speakers were Attorney General
Hampton L. Carson of Pennsylvania. and
prof. F.. {. De Sumichrast of Harvard.
At the dinner of the Society of Colo
rial Wars, Gov. Guild was also guest.
Among the other speakers were Richard
oIney. formerly secretary Of. state. and
Arthur J. c. Sowden. governor general of
the Society of Colonial Wars.