The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-12
BIG DAY FOR ELKS
SsAntOniO BuZzi Is Elected State
President.
lola Gets the Next Annual
Meeting.
M'NEAL'S WELCOME.
State Printer Says Custom Is
Old and Silly.
Parade Is Held at , O'clock
This Afternoon.


elected the following officers for the
coming year:
President-Antonio S. Buzzi of Wich-
Vice President-O NJ. White of En-
poria.
secretary-Frank E Smith of lola.
Treasurer. ]. Bane Of hutchinson
Fsouire-W ]. Curtis of Topeka
Inner Guard-R. G. Knox of Pitts
burg.
Tiier-Perry Elder of Ottawa. ,,,,o.
Trustee for three year term-Chds-
Case of Junction City.
lola was selected as the place for
holding the next annual meeting OF the
association
next meeting place. but on request OF
the Hutchinson delegates the name OF
that city was withdrawn
n The business meeting of the assocla-
fsion held this morning in the magnln-
r cent lodge room of the local home, was
attended by some 300 delegates and
deep interest taken in the speeches ana
order of business.
Tom McNeal Extended Welcome.
Thos. McNeal, state printer. was del,
egated to represent Mayor Green ana
deliver the address of welcome to the
visiting brothers. The choice was
happy one, for Mr. McNeal is a good
fellow himself and his clever and en-
tertaining talk was received with hearty
applause by the Eiks. After speaking
of the old and silly custom of an ad-
dress of welcome which still prevails
even though cities no longer have walls
and mOats and armed WarderS on the
ramparts and on the towers over the
gates Mr.. McNeal declared that he was
glad anyway to be there and tax 10
such a lot of bully good fellows. He
smoke of the splendid reputation the
order has established all over this coun-
try for its works of benevolence and
charity and said that in his opinion
the question that would be asked of
all mankind on the last day was as to
how each mans books were balanced
snd if the good actions outweighed the
bad all would be well. Charity Will
weigh heavier than any other virtue
with the keeper of the everlasting
er the glad hand at the conclusion of
his most happy and appropriate talk.
Retiring president, Fred M Harris
of Ottawa, made the response to the
address of welcome, and in eloquent
accents paid tribute to those cardinal
principles of Elkdom-love and
friendship. The speaker declared
that friendship is one of the finest
things in the world. 1t is not to be
bought with money, yet is priceless in
Its value. He was glad and proud
that friendship was the corner stone
upon which the order has been built
Friendship will carry the heaviest
load forever and endures all things
A warm heart is the pass and couf-
tersign to the portals Of EIkdom and
charity the active principle of all in
side those portals The president
closed his address with the advice
wise old Polonious gave his son:
Tine friends thou hast and their
adoption tried, grapple them to thee
with hooks of steel"
The Big Parade.
The parade of the Elks through the
principal streets of the city this af-
tpT J,
the two days convention here.
Nearly one thousand wearers of the
horns, each carrying a cane tied with
the royal colors of the order,
walked proudly and jauntily in the
procession. 1t was an imposing
sight and the fine looking body of
men on the streets spoke volumes for
this strong and popular order The
herd broke and scattered after reach
ing the east steps of the state house
-, but not before their pictures had
" been taken by Colville of this
city.
Elks parades in the large cities of
the country where the national con-
ventions have been held in the past
have been grand and inspiring affairs
with thousands and thousands of men
marching beneath costly and mag
nif1cent arches to the tune of score
of bands This was only a state
gathering in the west where the or
der is young but it was a notable
occasion in Kansas Elkdom and the
members may well feel proud of their
display and the number that took
part. Two large bands furnished the
music for the marchers and the ave
nue. was lined with spectators.
Vinewood Park Tonight.
The big convention will close to-
night with a trip to Vinewood park
for one good time as a fitting wind up
to the Topeka visit While this is
to be EIks night at the park yet the
general public is cordially invited TO
come out and take part in the merry
making. All the concessions will be
in full blast and though early in the
season, the weather promises to be
fine, and the opening night should be
one of the best of the year.
At the Majestic.
The Elks turned out in full force last
night and took possession of the Ma
1estic theater. This was the uyeIiest
willie play house and the presence of so
many jolly good fellows put ginger
into the work of the actors. so taken
altogether the big theater party was a
notable success and one of the fea-
lures of the lively program
After the show the herd repaired TO
the home and held social session.
Good fellowship prevailed at this at
fair. Everybody got acquainted with
everybody else and all had a rafting
good time. There was plenty of music
Il feature number being the selection
Far Away" sung hy a double quar-
tette from the lola delegation EN-
pCria sent some good singers here too
and these WED with the carusos from
William Allen Whites town in enter
tanning the crowd.
The first daV of the convention Iuas 4,