The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-12-27
MARKED HONOR
FOR .6oR MAN
~ .eception for Alexan-
: der Ironside in Barre
Last Evening
SUBSTANTIAL PURSE
WAS PRESENTED
Messages of Congratula-
tions from Many Sec
tions Of Vermont

After transacting business in regular
meeting, the Central Labor union of
Barre and vicinity last night adjourned
into reception in honor of Alexander
lronside of Barre, the well known lead
er OF labor union matters in Vermont.
The carpenters hall was filled to its
capacity with the friends and we'll
wlshers of Mr.. lronside when James
Cruickshank called the assemblage to
order.
Seated on the platform were Mr..
lronside, president of the Central Labor
union, William Eager, vice president,
Angus Mcdonald, secretary, and Fred
w. Suitor, treasurer. A program of
very entertaining numbers was given at
the outset of the get-together. Miss
Leona Lamb and Mrs. Alex McHaffie
contributed vocal solos in very eff
cient and acceptable manner. Robert
Morrison seemed to be at his best on
the mandolin and received several en-
cores. An exhibition of highland dane
ing by the now well-known Naughton
sisters took the audience by storm, and
| the little girls Were encored again and
again.
The chairman then spoke Of the OBJ
ject for which the meeting was held,
that Of performing duty long delayed,
which seemed characteristic of labor
organizations in failing TO appreciate
properly any special services rendered
in their behalf The chairman gave a
brief outline of Mr. Ironside's work for
many years back, especially insofar as
| 1t had reference to labor legislation,
stating that such laws as weekly pay
ment, trustee exemption, child labor,
hours for women and minors, factory
inspection and wofkmen's compensation
do now, and will always, bear the
stamp of Mr.. lronside's work.
Chairman Cruickshank continued:
while Mr.. lronside was always keeniv
on the alert on behalf of labor interests,
he never failed in registering his pro-
test against measures he deemed deN
rimental to labor and played promi-
nent part in preventing certain pro-
posed laws from reaching the statute
books Of Vermont
The chairman then produced many
letters, some of which he read. These
letters came from Northfield, Mont
pelier, Waterbury, Burlington, Granite
vile, Rutland, Bellows Falls and from
the executive board of the State Fed
Grafton of Labor and some local unions,
all bearing expression of appreciation
and good viii towards Mr.. Ironside and
the work he has done.
In addressing Mr.. Ironside, the chair
man said: And so, Brother Ironside, I
feel honored ia being selected by your
friends in the various localities / have
mentioned to convey to you an expires
sion of their appreciation for all you
have done for them Believe me. Broth
er Ironside, we do sincerely and CRATE
fully appreciate all you have accom-
plished and tried to accomplish for bet
tering the condition of your fellow
workers, organized and unorganized,
male and female, throughout the state.
That your work has not always been
easy, that you have met many discour-
agements and been put to many incon-
yeniences we are only too well aware.
while the results of your labors
must be Of some personal satisfaction
to yourself, it is with sense of salts
faction that we tell you that our pres
ent improved condition over that Of
some years ago has in great measure
been brought about by you and such as
you, and that you have not labored in
vein.
"In wishing YOU the compliments Of
the season, your friends wish it accom-
panied by this little token of their good
will May the new year, which will
soon be with us, be not far spent before
you are restored to your usual health
and activities is the best wish Of us
all"
The gift presented from a wide circle,
was nearly $500 in money.
Mr.. Ironside feelingly replied and
among other things said that he
amongst very few men had been grant
ed a view of his tombstone before going
hence, that the only tombstone he de
sired was the appreciation of his fel
low workers, and he realized that that
had now been bestowed upon him abun-
dantly. While realizing that he may
have accomplished something for labor's
cause, he also was proud TO say that
others seated very close to him had
been equally busy on behalf of labor
and done excellent work,
After giving some Of his experience
and telling what he saw in the steel
and coal regions, Mr.. lronside said that
the condition OF the workers in Yer
mont was far ahead in comparison and,
after all Barre was a pretty good place
to live in; that it was mp to the work
ers to maintain such conditions and
improve them at every opportunity. In
conclusion, he urged the workers to see
to it that wherever possible they should
be represented in the legislature by
men from their own ranks, or such men
as were couyersant with the ideals and
aspirations of labor.
Following these remarks, the floor
was cleared for dancing, which was
continued until midnight, Among those
present was Jack p Mason of Burling
ton. first vice-president OF the State
Federation Of Labor He made a short
address at the regular meeting. The
committee of arrangements was com
posed of james Cruickshank, Angus
Mcdonald, L, y. Philbrick, VI, 7. Sulli-
van and George Brigham