Putnam patriot., 1915-03-19
ALEX. GILMAN
 IGNORED
Receives Congratulations as New POst- master and Listens to Words of Praise
Is Presented Bouquet of Flowers and
 Fine Fountain Pen

| Fine Fountain Pen
 An enthusiastic meeting and one
 which crowded St. Johns hall to the doors was participated in by the mem- bers of the French Canadian Cercle of Advancement, Sunday evening. The
 meeting developed into veritable love feast and praise meeting for the presi- | dent, Alexander Gilman, recently ap- 1 pointed postmaster of Putnam The affair WAS in the nature of a surprise to MT. Gilman but he came through it
 with his usual tact and with more honors to his credit. It is doubtful If any citizen of Putnam has for long time sat and listened to such words of commendation, praise and goodwill from the lips of able speakers accented by hundreds of his fellow. townsmen
 with applause as befel the lot of MT. Gilman Sunday evening. In response MT. Gilman spoke with feeling to l those who had done him such honor and promised to endeavor to advance all measures for the best interests of the city and to give his best efforts to serve his fellow citizens so long as he should continue in public life. Pro- longed applause greeted his remarks. The regular meeting ot the Cercle was called ito ,order by President Gill man and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. A motion was then made and carried that an intermission be had. Henry N. Benoit introduced Peter Bonin, W ho he said had something to say to the president m behalf of the members. MT. Bonin then delivered the follow ing address:
 MT. President:
 The committee of the club D'Ad- vancement de Langue Francaise of Putnam has done me the honor to choose me to perform a pleasant and welcome duty on behalf of the mem- bers. In the name of this organization and in the name of each and every member who has worked with you ~belieYln ing that you ursssuccess would be our success and in that glorious sue. cess we believe that the interests of this Canadien and political body has been substantially advanced On behalf of the members of this great or. ganizaiion 1 present to you modest token of our affection, esteem and con- fiden :e and we pray that you will accept this bouquet of flowers ard this fountain pen, not as reward for your valued public service, the reward you have already received in your recent appointed to the important and re. sponsible office as postm aster of Put nam, but as a souvenir and reminder of the esteem and honor in which we hold you. It is our heartfelt wish that this pen will be used by you in signing any and all documents that will be for the advancement of our people when such opportunity offers. It will al- ways bring to your mind the confiden- ce and loyalty of the members of this organization of which you are the pre- sent respected head. We hope and trust that God will grant you long life and happiness and that your pathway may always be along the line of pro- gress and advancement until you reach even higher planes in the service of your people. We all join in wishing you success in your new position and we rest assured that your administra- tion of this important public office will reflect credit upon yourself, your fel- low citizens iand upon this organiza- tion. May happiness and prosperity be yours.
 During the address Napoleon Jette handed the president beautiful bou. quet of flowers from the Thompson School Greenhouses and the speaker presented him handsome gold trim- med fountain pen. Both presentations were made on behalf of the members of the Cercle. Cigars were then passed:
 Other speakers who praised and con- graduated the president were Alder man Dr. Omer LaRue, Dr. l.. J J.Morin of Danielson, Postmaster Woisard of North Grosvenordale, and P. Lamo- reaux, tax collector of Thompson. Henry N. .Benoit, lifelong friend of MT. Gilman, made theclosing remarks and his address was listened to with close attention and interspersed with hearty applause. Remarks were also made by Representative Plessis and Alderman Duvert.
 Eugene Touchette sang song and responded to an encore and there was music by an orchestra of several pieces. The affair was one of the most enjoy able the Cercle has ever held. Twenty five new members were enrolled.