The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-11
CHAUTAUQUA MEETING HELD
AT HIGH SCHOOL
Interesting Talk BY DR.. A. e. Turner
on the Aims of the Chautauqua-
Hope to Organize Here-Later
Meeting to be Held Feb. 25.

Ol Ge0uSylNd0ld, came TO f1OneSudlo
last week to organize a chautauqua
to be held here this summer. He
spoke to a small number in the IL
brary room of the High school Fri
day night Although the number
present was small the meeting was
very interesting and enthusiastic
one. Plans for a Chautauqua were
discussed, but no definite steps were
taken other than to appoint time
for a later meeting at which it is
hoped a larger and more representa-
tive gathering will be present. The
date chosen for the meeting was
Tuesday evening, February 25th in
the High school. DR.. Turner has
consented to be present and address
the meeting.
Notwithstanding the small attend
ance DR.. Turner was prevailed upon
to talk on the Chautauqua, its meth
DDS, aims and progress. He is a
forceful talker and converted his au-
dience at once. He named the six
reasons why Honesdale should have
a Chautauqua. They are given
briefly:
The Chautauqua will confer
unique distinction upon the town.
1t will advertise the town by CIV
ing prominence to it's best element
its intellectual, religious and moral
strength and progressiveness. No
dead town will have Chautauqua.
Chautauqua will be held right in
the town, not in the country away
from it. 1t will, therefore, not dis
turb business, but will rather in
crease it, by bringing here people
form the country and nearby towns.
1t will unity the best people and
the best interests. 1t is the most
democratic institution in America.
All workers for the common good,
| however divided into different
churches, groups, and organizations,
are united here under conditions in
suring permanent inspiration to
all.
1t is an efficient instrument for
arousing and directing public opin-
| ion along useful and definite lines.
The Chautauqua platform is unbiased
and non-sectarian. 1t affords stim-
ulating discussion of all current
questions of Importance. The great
problems of the day are brought
home to the community.
1t does not destroy ideals nor lead
to waste of money, as almost every
other form of summer festival does.
1t costs less than a good Fourth of
| July celebration. There is no
morning after" 1t leaves behind a
lasting inspiration. Business men
| feel the changed atmosphere and in
dorse it everywhere.
1t is a mo profit corporation"
Over a thousand Chautauquas
were held throughout the west last
wear, but only a few of them were
| located east of the Allegheny Noun
tains. Most of them have carried
out in spirit the purpose of the par
| ent Chautauqua in New York and
I the programs seek to combine in
struction, entertainment and amuse-
ment. Out of the forty-one towns
where Chautauquas were held last
season forty have asked to have
them repeated this year. This is the
best argument for the Chautauqua.
DR.. Turner interspersed his remarks
with witty phrases and told many
stories to illustrate his points.
For next season the program in
cludes such attractions as Frank
Dixon, Newell Dwight Hills, Reno
] B. Melbourne, William Sterling
BATHS, Rosani, the juggler, The Flor
entine Concert Band, The Common
wealth Quartet, and more than twen-
ty other features, including speak
er of national reputation in pollti-
cal life. Gov. Hadley of Missouri is
under engagement and each COM
munity will have the pleasure OF lls-
tening to a man who is widely
known. President Taft and Willlam
Jennings Bryan are on the list, the
latter with the proviso that he is not
chosen Secretary OF State.
The entertainments are held in
large tent specially constructed Tor
the purpose, with a maximum seat
ing capacity of two thousand 1t is
seated with folding chairs and all
the ARRANGEMENTS are in charge or
an experienced platform manager as
sisted by a tent crew OF college stu
dents, who look after the comfort
of the people in every way possible
"The Chautauqua towns" said Dr..
Turner, "are distinctive" A traveller
in the west comes to know Chau-
tauuua town as soon as he gets into
one They have a different air-an
atmosphere of community thinking
and community progress
The Association is not in any
sense a money making concern. For
the permanency of the work it is
hoped to make it self-sustaining
but there will be no such thing as
profits. If the receipts exceed the
expenditures, the excess will go back
into the work in the way of better
and more extended programs for the
next season.
=. The Chautauqua circuit plan is ap-
n piled to the smaller towns, in which
high class entertainments or famous
lectures are ordinarily not heard. 1t
buys high class entertainment and
paws famous lecturers wholesale, and
gives the benefit to the town by pre-
senting them at wholesale prices.
There are over thirty features on
the program for the proposed Chau-
tauuua to be held here and 1t will