Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-08
ST BONA'S ALUMNI
Gave Banqus( at the Elton h Honor of Monslgnor SIocum.

That the Right Rev Monsignof Slocum is held in profound respect by the students of his alma mater was abundantly testified at the ban quet given him at The Elton last evening by the St Bona's Alumni of the Hartford diocese. Wit and humor. poetry and song. classic learn ing and ringing eloQuence. inter- spersed with frequent renditions of the college yell" and accompanied by a spirit of bonhomie. rendered the occasion one not soon to be for gotten by those who participated in 1t, one that was a success from the astronomical, the social and the in- tellectual standpoint The St Bona's Alumni is still in its youth. being formed only four years ago on the occasion of visit to Hartford of the most reverend apostolic delegate. Mgr FalcOniO. an alumni and former vice-president of the college. Though young 1t Is strong with the vigor of healthy youth, as was abundantly testified last evening. That the members love their old alma mater was evidenced by the individual and collective expression of happy rem iniscences of college days. From all quarters of the state they came. From altitudinom Lakeville to the Rosebud town by the Thames, from close to the border of the old Bay state to East Portchester that re- fleets the greatness of metropolitan splendor, came young and middle aged and those somewhat advanced in years. but all as happy as school boys out for holiday, bearing wit ness that the grave cares, the en- crossing labors and the harassing duties of the ministry have not ex- tinguished the buoyant spirit of other days. From beyond the confines of the diocese, too, came old alumni happy to meet their former fellow students, and to renew their youth by many pleasant recollections of
 Days that alas! are gone and fors
 ever'
 From St Bona's college came Very Rev Joseph Butler, o. F. M., the present president, man who finds warm spot in the heart of every St Bona's graduate. Among the guests was noticed the genial face and sturdy form of Rev James Bloomer of St Patrick's church, Elmira, one of the oldest living graduates of the Allegany college and warm per- sonal friend of Monsignor Slocum. The assemblage was marked by a spirit of whole souled camaderie that is perhaps more characteristic of St Bona's than of almost any other col- lege.
 The beautiful dining hall of The lton needed no ornamentation to add to the good taste of the designer. It is a case where beauty unadorned Is beauty's best" At o'clock the alumni, honorary members and in- vited guests, each wearing the brown and white colors of St Bona's.' marched. to the inspiring music of the orchestra, to their allotted places to partake of repast that bore testi- mony to the ability of the chef and the excellence of the culinary depart- ment of The Elton, and called forth many encomiums for the managerial capabllity of Mir Judd. When justice had been done to the delectable ban quet and cigars and coffee were in order, the speech making started with the vice-president, Rev M. A. Sullivan of Hartford, who in brief. but ex- cellent, speech welcomed all, and then turned the affair over to the hands of that czar of all banquets. the toast master, in this case the Rev John Neale of Terryville. It was Father Neale's first attempt, but those who knew his eloquence and literary abil- ity expected something of a high order, and they were not disappoint- ed. With his witty sallies and good natured personal hits he kept the banquet hall in roars.
 Where there was such excellence of rhetoric and oratory 1t would be unseemly to make distinctions. A few passing words must sufnce. as space forbids more than passing no- tice of the various toasts. The Rev J. C.. Murray, chancellor of the
 diocese, spoke as representative of the right reverend bishop. who was
 unavoidably absent. Plus x was nt- tingly praised for his simplicity, his love of justice and as God-fearing pontiY. The Rev Thomas 8. Duggan. rector of St Joseph's cathedral. paid A glowing tribute to the hourishing diocese of Hartford. The Rev IT. J. Finn, a native of Winsted. extolled the learning and executive ability of his townsmen and had striking ex- ample in the right reverend guest of the evening. The residents of Wa terbury would have applauded most cordially could they have listened to the eloquent tribute paid to the Brass city by Rev J. J. Fitzgerald of New Britain, formerly assistant at the Sacred Heart church here. The toast to old St Bonas was responded to by
 Very Rev Joseph Butler, president of the institution, who called forth
 round after round of applause from his old boys by the heartfelt senti- l ments he expressed of their mental
 and moral calibre. The auxiliary
 clergy found worthy representative
 in Rev Eugene Sullivan of Stamford. whose pointed witticism might per- haps induce the powers that be to look upon the expectant auxiliaries
 with favorable eye. The honorary
 members and invited guests could
 have had no doubt as to the cordial ity of the welcome extended them aa
 they listened to the soul stirring
 words of Rev James Frederick of the | Immaculate Conception church. The | r 9 s