The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-09-12
HONORS HEAPEO ON
FORMER CELINAIAN
At Gathering of Political ASsO-
ciates at Home of Famous
DucISwOrth Club.
Cincinnati Enquirer, Sept. s. ]


Herman, the magician, never created
a greater illusion in his long career on
the stage than did those amateur pres
tidigateurs, Stephen w. McGrath, Vim.
| J. Leonard and Eugene II. Mesch, at the
Duckworth Democratic Club last night,
when by simple twist of the wrist they
had the State Liquor License Commission
and the Hamilton County Liquor License
Commission seemingly sitting in Joint
session. There they were-J. II. Secrist,
Charles L. Allen and Byron NJ. ClenDen-
ing, of the State Board, and William
Marschheusea and Rogers Wright, of the
County Board, all sitting in a row and
nothing lacking but the presence of Sec
retary Robert S. Hayes to get down to
brass tacks" and transact business.
The illusion lasted until the hundreds
of members pinched themselves, woke up
and realized that the Commissioners were
there to assist them i'll formally congrat-
ulating Pres ClenDening, of the club, on
his recent appointment as member of the
State Board. Commissioner Secrist was
delayed in Columbus beyond the hour he
expected to leave there, and Chairman
McGrath and Messrs. Leonard and Mesch
arrived at the clubhouse.
Chairman McGrath opened the meeting
by stating that the club thought it entire
ly proper that it should show its appre-
citation of the honor conferred on its
President by rendering him public re-
ception.
After a ringing eulogy of Mr.. ClenDen-
ing as a Democrat of Democrats, as
citizen of whom Cincinnati may we'll be
proud and as a thoroughly capable pre-
siding officer, he reached under the table
in front of him and dragged out hand
some travelling bag of walrus skin and a
toilet case. These he presented to Pres
ident ClenDening in a few happily word
ed sentences, in which he expressed the
hope that he would find them handy
when travelling about the state discharg-
ing the duties of his office.
President ClenDening was equally
happy in his response to Chairman
McGrath's presentation speech. He
told of his association with the old
Duckworth Club and how it had been
his ambition when elected its Presi-
dent to be instrumental in having il
and the Cincinnati Democratic Club
llClSG anu llSIlL TIC DdlLlGS Ol DC |
mocracy hereafter under one banner.
He said that he had expected the
club to accept his resignation, ten
dered after he was appointed a mem
Der of the State Board, but as it had
not done so he would continue as the
head of the organization, though one
of the three Vice Presidents would
have to preside at meetings hereaf-
ter, as he would have to give his en-
tire time to his duties.
Mayor Hunt who followed President |
Complimented the club |
and the local Democratic organization on
Governor Cox having honored both by |
their fellow member to a
position of such responsibility. He
the license law as a crown
ng act of craftsmanship in Ohio, in that
t put the state in the front ranks with
hose commonwealth that have once
md for all time divorced the liquor
question from politics. He said that he
personally was delighted with ClenDen-
ng's appointment, believing that he had
hose qualifications that eminently fitted |
linn to make the administration of the
lew law in all its details a complete
success.
The Mayor was given a warm welcome
when he arose to speak, and so long
continues was the hand-clapping that he
lad to raise his hands several times to
impose silence.
Commissioners ] H. Secrist and Chas
I. Allen called on in turn for speeches,
made a splendid impression with the
,rowd which cheered them to the echo.
Vice Mayor Simeon Johnson and
dessrs. Marschheuser and Wright closed
he speech-making with remarks that
tilted in nicely with the occasion. Dur
ng the evening refreshments and cigars
we're circulated and the general good
ceiling created will make the reception
/ long-to-be remembered event in the
,lub's annals. l.