The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-12-26
FAREWELL BANQUET
WAS RENDERED
Judge Lawrence by the
Congregational Club
Thursday Evening. The Post-Prandlal
Exercises Were Marked With Much
Witticism.

One of the 1olliest occasions to oc-
cur in Skowhegan for some time WIS
that of Thursday evening when Judge
Fred Foss Lawrence was rendered a
banquet by the members of the Con-
gregational Club. The event was
planned on not to serious scale, and
was arranged previous to the judge
assuming his new duties as private
secretary to Gov-Elect Haines. The
affair was attended by the club mem
bers and few invited guests and was
held in the Congregational parlors.
During the first part of the evening,
Ernest c. Butler, ESQ.,, played several
selections on his victrola, and this
was followed by songs by the male
quartet, composed of E. E. Harris,
Prof. r. w. Leighton, J. Harvey White
and Dr. S. NJ. Cover. The gentlemen
were later invited to the dining
rooms where tempting banquet was
served, N. H. Lambert acting as cater
err Following the disposition of the
viands, Carleton p. Merrill acted as
toastmaster. Mr.. Merrill is an eX
cellent master of ceremonies and with
his usual keen humor, he very easily
and entertainingly introduced the
speakers of the evening. He, however,
read kilograms % from Pres. Taft and
Ex-President Roosevelt expressive OF
their regrets at not being able to at
tend this function and he then called
upon Pres. Elect Wilson to tell what
might be expected of himself as Presi
dent of the United States. AS far as
excellent remarks aid humorous
talk go, the president himself need not
have been at all ashamed had he been
a listener as his part was most accept
ably taken by Rev. Theodore Halbert
Wilson.
Rev. II. G. McGlaufin was called
upon to tell what was expected of a
good Democrat, while his follower was
Rev. George Merriam of whom the
postmaster asked what was expected
of a good Republican. Both gentle
men responded to the toasts with
much witticism and created mirthful
and serious thoughts. How l control
led the Bull Moose Convention" was
the subject upon which John +. Tay
lor was called. Mr.. Taylor represent
cd his party at the Chicago convent
ioR and he gave glowing accounts
clothed in his original style which was
very entertaining to his listeners.
"Judgeship' was handled by e. c.
Butler, Esq, who was determined to
have a Municipal court instituted at
Avon his native town, with the spe-
cial request that the judge should
be an unmarried" lawyer and also
one born in that town.
What l Would DO AS Commissioner
OF Agriculture was entertainingly
handled by e. E. Harris. Mr.. Harris
certainly gave some points in his
favor and they sounded as though they
would favor the agriculturists Of the
state as well. l.. II. Goldsmith's as
pirations were to become bank COM
missioner, and his toast were respond
ed to by the telling of his qualifica-
tions for that office with the reading
OF two witty stories and other details
of a humorous nature. Prof. r. W.
Leighton responded to the toast,
What ] Would do as State Superin-
tendent of Schools" He stipulated
that there would be more lady teach
ers in the state were he elected to that
office, and that they should be better
paid He brought to the minds Of
those present the fact of the necessity
of a better equipped High school
building in Skowhegan, and prophesi-
ed that there would be such a one
were he to be the state superintend-
ent Political Advice" was the last
toast of the evening and to this a re-
bpOUS0 WIS given ny II w. hOll il''
This speaker made some of the best
points of the evening and told his
listeners much of value to them in
their future political careers.
Judge Lawrence, the honored guest
was then called upon and he as usual
delighted his listeners. His replies
to the we'll wishes offered him were
made with as equal grace as were his
promises to grant the numerous re-
quests asked of him by his petitioners.
The furture private secretary of the
Governor Of Maine certainly made his
Skowhegan friends proud of him Oil
this occasion as he has many times
previously, and he was given loud ap-
plause often during the evening.
The banquet and it's post-prandial
exercises were not concluded until
about midnight, the final feature being
the singing of America" in unison by
those in attendance. The committee
In charge of the arrangements were c.
p. Merrill, E. c. Butler and DR.. S. NJ
Cover