New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-15
RENSSELAER, MEN DINE.
admiral CoghIan Praises GoUern-
ment Built BattIeshipS.

The first annual dinner OF the Rensselaer, County
Society was held last night at the Waldorf. The
society was formed last year by John A Sleicher,
president of the Judge Company; ]. Edward Sim
mons, Ex-Governor Frank s Black and others.
with a membership of forty. One hundred and
fifty attended last nights dinner.
Mr.. Sleicher president of the society, acted as
POSTMASTER The speakers Rear Admiral ].
B. Coghlan, Major General Fred D. Grant, James
II. Potts editor OF The Troy Times; the Rev
Andrew Gillies W. II. McElroy. Abraham Gruber
and the Rev. w A. Olmstead.
Resolutions adopted by the society at the time
Of the death of Russell Sage read. So vas
the reply of Mrs. Sage to invitation 20 occupy
a box the dinner. Mrs. Sage regretted that her
absence from the city prevented her acceptance OF
the invitation.
President Sleicher. who is an old Troy newspaper
man, referred pleasantly to the rivalry existing
between Troy and Albany, the chief towns of
Rensselaer, County, and pointed with pride to the
part that the newspapers had in making the repu-
tation of Troy, with it's collars cuffs. Speaking
of criticism Of public men, he said:
In these days If a man wants to be criticised he
has only to succeed. If he makes a great reputa-
ton in his profession. II he achieves notable sue
If b brains and energy y Se osrTs all competors
and builds up great industry: at once he becomes
His rare abilities may win the widest reputation
away from home. but like the prophet Of old. he
remains not without honor save in his own country
and among his own people
Abraham Gruber said that the from the
different counties Of New York alike in what
they wanted when they got to New York City.
They competed successfully with other immigrants.
he said and while Jew might outbid a Christian.
a rural New Yorker could do them both. He de-
clared that the country suffering from too
much talk The elemental truths are few, and
only a handful of men discover know them
he added. Il have strong hope that before
die will know some thing to be absolutely
true"
Rear Admiral Joseph B. Coghlan said that he
hardly thought that the city Of Troy would be sub
tected to annoyances in case of by ships going
up the Hudson. He said he would not answer for
Lake Champlan. as the treaty prevented the United
States from using warships on the lake
The admiral paid his respects TO those traduCers
of government built battleships and those who
characterize the navy yard built ships as hoOdoos-
He added:
The government builds the best ships that float
That is certain The Connecticut Is the finest yes
sci OF her rate and size the world. and she was
built in government navy yard The Louis
lana, her sister ship, built by a private con
Germ, and the merest tyrO can that this
boat is not comparable with the Connecticut
Government money is spent honestly and square
". There fights and squabbles to get what
tho contracts call for. II it does cost little
more money II Is worth II. In 1t is meney-
making pure and simple; in the other case every
thing works against that and the government bene-
fits by II.