Norwich bulletin., 1910-09-01
.LEDYARD'S ANNUAL CELEBRATION.
Big Gathering at the Bill Library Dinner-Address by
President Luther of Trinity College Following Truss
tees Meeting-Officers Elected and Reports

coined in appropriate terms the re-
naming members of the Bill family
who were present. welcomed the man
ayers of the library. commencing the
benefcence and efficiency of their
work; welcomed the president of Trim
ity college, who was present prepared
to address. the assemblage before him;
welcomed all, old and young, who had
lent the encouragement of their pres
ence to this auspicious OCCASION and
closed with a feeling reference to
the three trustees who had gone the
way of all the earth during the past
year-Henry Larrabee. Frederic A. Bill
and Joseph A. Gallup-the latter pass
ing away Wednesday morning.
This was followed by a selection by
the choir.
Miss Mabel Bill of Melrose, Mass
recited with highly dramatic effect an
original poem depicting many of the
patriotic incidents which have marked
the progress of the country's history.
This was followed by a solo by
Charles Geer.
DR.. Luther Heard.
The Rev. F'lavel S. Luther, LID,
president of Trinity college, Hartford
was then introduced as the principal
speaker of the day.
His address was delivered in an easy,
at oratorical display. He commenced
with reference to his boyhood days
in the old country town of Brooklyn,
in Windham county once the shire
town. but since deposed from that
eminence, and while Putnam and Will
mantle have grown to be cities,
Brooklyn remains where it was in the
time of his boyhood. 1t is a good town
to live in, but not so good to get ahead
in. He spoke of the library in the old
town. To his juvenile imagination 1t
contained about million books. When
in later life he visited it he was as
tonished to find it had not more than
400.
Essentials of Good Library.
He noted four things that are essen
tiaI to a good library. First, build
ing He was pleased to see the library
here so well sheltered. Second, books.
The selection of these is an exceeding
ly important matter. Third, libra
rian. He did not know the librarian
here nor whether that official was
man or woman, SO his remarks must
not be taken as personal. An efficient
librarian was a very important part
of the furnishing of q good working
library. And fourth, the readers. He
did not like to see one department pat
ronized to the neglect of all others.
When he went into a library room he
floor leading to the department OF nc
ton. There were works of biogra-
ply and travels and history and sci
ence, containing valuable and instruc-
tive information which should COM
mand the attention of all readers who
wish to profit by what they read
He spoke of getting back to the land
as an occupation While all depart
ments of industry have made vast inn
provements in a great variety of ways,
agriculture virtually is what it was
thousands of years ago. We have ma
chimes that facilitate the work of the
farm, but the soil itself is still treated
to a large extent in the old primitive
style But the time has come for sci
ence to be applied to the work, for
chemistry to be applied to the soil,
by which it can be made to yield
vastly richer reward to the labors of
the husbandman.
Yellow journalism Depiored.
He made some not very compliment
airy remarks in reference to the news
papers of the day. deploring their SEN
sationaIism and their disregard to
truth If he wished to be elected may
or of New York he would, if possible,
get every newspaper in that city to
oppose him. The Sunday papers he
thought little of. especially their illus
trationS.
A solo by Mrs. Merrill followed the
conclusion of the speakers address.
The Rev. Mr.. Danforth of Groton made
a few remarks and the exercises closed
with duet by Mrs. Merrill and Charles
Geer.
The audience was dismissed with the
benediction.
When the exercises in the church
were concluded attention was at once
paid to the viands, which were steam
ing on the tables. SO far as attendance
was concerned; this was one of the
most successful efforts ever put forth
by the association.