Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-07-02
BANQUET ENDS CONVENTION
Sigma Phi Fraternity Concludes
Two Days Session.
business Meeting Saturday Morning
and Dinner Mt Hun Point In the
Evcning-Nect in California
Next Ycnr.

Inc Sith national convention or the
Sigma Phi fraternity. which began q two
days session with the Alpha of Vermont
chapter on Friday morning. was conclud-
ed Saturday evening with a banquet at
the Hotel Champlan at Bluff Point. 126
sitting down. Professor James r. Wheel
or Of Columbia University, who was re-
Gently elected a trustee Of the University
of Vermont, presided.
The day began at 10 o'clock with the
principal business session at the Billings
library, during the course of which the
convention adopted resolutions of thanks
and appreciation to President Benton for
his cordial and gracious reception OF the
gathering at the university; to President
Benton and the board of trustees for the
freedom and Use of the university build
tnEs. the library, the gymnasium and the
dormitorv: and to the lambda 1ota fra
ternity for the generous proffer OF the
entire use Of their beautiful fraternity
house. The Hon Elias Lyman presided
over the meeting. AT II 80 O'Clock re-
cess was taken for the purpose of pho
tographing the convention gathering,
which was done in front of the Sigma
Phi house on College street, after which,
singing and marching in single file, tho
return was made to the library, ctrclnS
around the college green.
Luncheon was served at the gYmna-
stun at one o'clock, and the afternoon
was devoted to the informal outdoor en-
tertainment of the visiting Sigs, includ-
ing two games of baseball
The start for Bluff Point was made at
$50 o'clock on the steamer Vermont.
The banquet was served at nine o'clock
under tho personal supervision of Man
ager Thieriot. Professor Wheeler pre-
sided in graceful manner. The Oldest
Sig present, the Rev. Joseph Torrey OF
this city. read a rema rka bic letter from
his cassmate at the University of YER
mont, Dean Adams Fletcher, of Maquo-
keta. Iowa. both of whom were initiated
into Sigma Phi in 1Si9. Joseph r. Stearns
presented a clever symposium of wit
and humor. The Hon. Fred G. Fleetwood
Of Morrisville, Judge Albert G. Barnes
and the Hon. Robert McMurdy of Chi
raEo and j. Brinton Whitehead of New
York made eloquent speeches. John j.
Allen of this city read an admirably
composed original poem. Davis G. Moore
of Danvlc. H., spoke for three genera
ton OF Sigs. himself, his son and grand
son, Allen II. Moore of Albany n. Y.
and Allen f. Moore. who has Just been
graduated from the University of YER
mont, all of whom were present. The
banquet came to an end with a toast by
p. l.. Benedict The serving of the ban
quet and the speaking following was in
terspersed with the singing of Sig songs
by the different chapter groups present,
and college and fraternity cheers.
At the banquet Sigs We're present whose
dates OF initiation into the fraternity
ranged from 1s49, the year OF the Rev.
Mr. Torrey, and the present month, II. 81.
Stillwel, OF Bellows Falls. freshman
at the University OF Vermont, having
been initiated last Tuesday evening The
return to burlington was made at As
on the ChateaugaY.
The convention was the most largely
attended gathering in tho history of the
fraternity. there being 1886 Sigs present
al one time OF these. there were seven
whose membership in sigma Phi has ex-
tended over 90 years. The Sigs from the
other chapters expressed to the local
chapters committee of arrangements for
the convention their hearty appreciation
Of the admirable management OF the
convention. the cordial hospitality shown
them, and paid tribute to the beauty of
the university and the city.
Among those present, in addition to
the list published in another column, were
the following: Francis r. Cantwell Of
6aranac Lake, y. Y, ]. Carey Cody Of
Utica, \. y, w. r. Hopkins Of Worces-
ter. Mass. n. II. Chadwick OF St Adams.
c. B. Arthur, Jr, Of Cleveland, Ohio,
r. +. Blodgett of West Newton, Mass,
r. NJ Wentworth of Pittsfeld, Mass,
Z. l.. Stone of Waterford. ~ Y. a, D.
Chew of New York, J. r. Kingsley Of
New York, r. r Honk, Jr., of Montreal,
A. e. Willard Of Alburg, ". A. Starrsett
Of Madison, n. j., W. c. NJ Aver OF
Brooklyn, \. Y, Il. d. Bell of Montreal,
X l., Lyman OF Hubbard Woods, H.,
T. r, Cox OF Albany, n. Y, and J. n.
Oliphant of New York.
The ssth convention of tire fraternity
Is to be held next summer at the Cniver-
sity of California in Berkeley