Putnam patriot., 1916-03-03
ARCANUM CLUB
Celebrates 1Dth Anniversary With
 Banquet at Putnam Inn
Charles L. Torrey President. Officers
 Elected

The Arcanum Club celebrated its 20th anniversary last Friday night with banquet at the Putnam Inn Preceding the banqaet the annual meeting for the election of officers and other business was held in the clut rooms. The treasurer's report showed the club to be in good financial condi ton. An effort is to be made to inter. est more of the city's business men in the club and to carry it on on broader lines.
 The meeting was called to order by the president, J. Harry Mann. On ac- count of some unusual expenditures more money has been spent than in previous years but notwithstanding this there was good balance in tn e treasury as shown by the report of the secretary and treasurer.
 It was voted that resolutions be drafted on the death Of Edward G. Wright, who was the first president of
  Merriam and w. E. Davison were ap- pointed committee to draw up the resolutions. IL was also voted to send greetings of remem hfsnce to James Ratierty, who was at q hospital in Hnrt- ford, and to w. E. Hines at the Day Kimball hospitsl.
 The matter of increasing the mem- bership was discussed and it was de cided to make special effort to inter est the business men of the city and each member is to work along this line. It is thus hoped 10 increase the benefits of the club by better facilities for lounging and reading to attract those who do not care for games IL is believed that the club is quasi.eity institution and is a benefit to the young men of the city and this benefit would be enhanced if more of the rep resentative citizens would lend their influence by joining. as
 Officers were elected IS follows:
 President, Charles sL, Torrey.
 Vice pfesident, WYE. B.wison. 1 Secfetafy and Treasurer, Lucius P Merriam.
 Collector, L.T. Champlin. Executive cemmittee, Henry A Wheelock, Ralph Bradford Cyril Remillard, Jf., Jesse Rich and A. S Macdonald.
 The president and the members oi the newly elected executive eommiitee g made remarks regarding the immedi ate future of the cluo urging the mem bers to put forth their best efforts tc get new members and to see that ev- erylhing is done to make the club as attractive to members, old and new, lis possible.
 The club has an excellent lounging and reading room. More papers and periodicals are to be added There is an excellent billiard table and pool table. Also card tables and card rooms. The rules Of the club forbid gambling of any kind and this rule is to be strictly enforced. It is hoped to add another room where more quiet may be had for those wishing to read so that the large lounging room may be used for that purpose by those wish ing to converse.
 A club such as the Arcanum club is needed institution in any city the size of Putnam. It's benefits depend greatly upon the size and nature of it's membership. It is a place where young men may go evenings and thus stay of the streets and 1t is place where one may entertain a friend at any time. The needs Of any such club are that its members include the busi- ness and professional men of the city that 1t may have substantial back be place where the younger mem bers may come under the influence of these older members. IL is along these lines that the new official .board and the members have pledged themselves 10 work.
 After the meeting adjourned the members to the number of about thirty went to the Putnam Inn. Two long tables had been laid and the following menu was served:
 Oysters on the Half Shell Tomato Bisque Celery Olives Crackers EscaIIoped Oysters Mashed Potato Toasted Crackers
 Roquefort Cheese Coffee Cigars
 When cigars were lighted the retir- ing president, J. Harry Mann, enter tained the gathering for nearly an hour with dialect stories. It was Il o'clock when the gathering broke up