Norwich bulletin., 1910-01-22


 brow. It was here where the members met every Thursday evening and held debates and read chapters rom the History of the Bible, and Ion other nights used it as a club room or hang out for the members and not a few of their young friends. There was a mat ting on the floor that formerly did ser- vice in the aisies of the church and the furnishings consisted of four side benches, table, a stove and very small library, the principal volumes be- ing Cushing's Manual and the ever present History of the Bible.
 It was in this old St. Johns church where the society first gained proni- hence for amateur theatricals, with Michael Power, now of Boston, as man. ager, leading man and designer and maker of the scenery. It would be in teresting to the St. Johns membership of today to have MT. Power at the ban quet and have him speak on the sub ject Experience as Manager of St. Johns Plays in the Earlier Days. These plays were given in Jay street at least once a year and among those produced were the Waite Horse and the Pep pers. Handy Andy and Don Paddy De- Bazan, with Martin Cullen. now re- tired police officer, taking the part of tfle Irish comedian. These amateur entertainments were afterwards con- tinued in Lawrence hall on a larger scale. The quarters in St. Johns church became too small for tine in- creasing membership and the society moved to the nall over fne NICHOLS x Harris store, then to the Leander Lewis building and finally to the pres ent commodious quarters in the Cronin building
 The weekly debates were feature in the old days mad every member was required to debate in turn or pay fine of ten cents Nearly all the mem bers paid the fines and half dozen or so were the regular debaters, giving the listeners the advantage of their research and knowledge of important local and historical topics.
 Naturally since its formation, half a century ago, the society has under gone many changes, but the interesting debate feature has never been elimi- mated. The old oyster and chowder suppers with all the fixings that pre- vailed in the Jay street ante-room are now supplanted by whist and dance parties with the members and lady friends in full dress. Swell events in comparison with the stove gang rack cts of forty years ago, which is all in the line of progress and intellectual and social advancement Never in the history of the organization has the composition of the membership been more representative of the principles of the organization than at the present time.
 There are incidents of the past that could be related in private by John Drea one of the oldest and always one
 
 would be revelation of interest to such members who know nothing of the old St. Johns society during its infancy. MT. Drea was perhaps not old enough to become charter mem Der, but the St. Johns society was very young when he was enrolled as a member, and since that time he has been one of the staunchest supporters and best debaters of the society. He has ever been actfve in the affairs of the society and is today the best post ed man in the history of the St. Johns Literary association.
 The twenty-fifth anniversary of the society was celebrated withsa banquet and dance in Lawrence hall and all ex- members were invited to participate. It was big event for that time, but would not go in these more modern times. Now the big ball and concert will be fin the state armory on one night and the big banquet in a lead ing hotel on another. Too big an affair the same night. That might go twen- ty-f1ve years ago but not in these modern times in a progressive city like New London.
 The persistency of Alderman James O'Leary in getting an ordinance rela- tive to the sealing of weights and measures before the public after it had ecidently been spiked to the table in common council meeting with the tac- 1t endorsement that the measure was one of graft to make the honest mer- chants pay tax for the support of a grafter who wanted to get a living without work. is now considered a de- ctdedly popular move on part of the alderman. The local newspapers the merchants and the people as a whole ordinance, the actual need for it now being better understood, and many wonder why this important matter has been so long neglected. Not a voice wa f&a in f~. hearing, and not peep has been heard against it since that time. All were given an opportunity to be heard and that was the proper time and place. and measures, John R. Kemmerer of Hartford, was present to answer all questions and give all information on the important matter.
 The proposed ordinance as originally drafted provides for the retention of the present official until his present term of office expires, year hence. This will give MT Gardner ample op- portunity for him to satisfy himself whether he can perform the duties of the office as required should the ordi- | nance be adopted, and will also give | the public opportunity to decide w1heth- CT the old gentleman is the proper man | for the place. At the hearing Mir | Gardner declared that he was more in- | terested in the passage of an ordinance defining the duties of the office than he ] was in appointment to the office for he 1, realized that in order to make the ordi- | nance effective the duties must be | fearlessly and competent1y administer | ed. MT. Gardner is among the older | residents, has been a merchant of long | experience and fully realizes the im- | portance of buying and selling by cor 1 rect weights and measures
 The public boat landing opposite the | railway station, established several | years ago, is greatly appreciated by | the general public and by all visitors | to the port who have occasion to make | a landing in small boats, and especial | ly by the many owners of motor boats | in the city and vicinity. At times this | landing is overtaxed, and the public | committee of the court of | common council, past and present, have | given this important matter earnest | consideration to a-plan that would re- l lieve the congestion at the depot land | ing, So-called.
 In addition to this landing, the city owns water frontage just south of and | the custom house property | and also at the foot of Spar Yard | street at the north end of the railroad | bridge at Shaw's cove. The city meet ing has voted an appropriation for ad- | ditional boat landings and the sum ap- is $500 sufficient for Iand- |