Evening star., 1926-05-02
NEW HAMPSH|RE'S
CLUB 25 YEARS OLD
Society Has FIourished Since
1901-NoW Is Among
Most Active.
RY MARGARET u. DOWNING.

II is just - years since the
"Granite State" formed local society
iu Washington. and at its recent
meeting in Meridian Mansions, the
memory of the founders was afec-
1ionately recalled. In March, 1901,
The first meeting was held in the
Women's Christian Temperance AS
suciation. then located in Second
street. and an organization was form
ed hut it was more than month later
before the first social affair was
,hronicled. At both these meetings
were such eminent citizens of New
Hampshire as the late Senator Jacob
NJ. Gallinger. Henry NJ. Blair. Cyrus
Sulloway, the late Levi T. Woodbury.,
Judge George c. Hazleton and a num-
her of well known New Hampshire
people in the opening twentieth cen
turN.
Of the first officers elected were
Charles H. Turner for president, a
Ilampshireman who had gone 10
New York, Joined Tammany. and
came to Congress for several terms:
the first vice president was Judge
George c. Hazleton; the second was
David Hildreth. Charles Lewis was
The first secretary and DIR. Charies
Rowker. treasurer. Though % years
when the New Hampshire society
tomplemorated its silver jubilee, it
was with deep regret that II was an
nounced that all these officers have
ioined the silent majority, and a mum.
her of those who formed the first
membership roll as well.
Was Social Society.
This state society. founded when
yNIon nd Yln6nr
ban of the Civil Service Commission
for activity among the Government
clerks in Washington, had social in
rercourSe alone for its object. AS
prcof of it's non political character. II
IS pointed out that though it is con-
ceded by all that New Hampshire Is
a rock ribbed Republican community.
Vet the first president was Tam
many Democrat and he held office Tor
several years. Later 1t became the
custom to choose the executive from
the congressional delegation. and both
the present Senators. Moses and
keves have presided over their State
association.
New Hampshire's program in It's
local society is now. instead of seven
or eight prosy meetings each Winter.
10 have four big good times, as the
memberS conceive IT, and this makes
q wide appeal. These meetings are
called by the president. and although
nearly all have been held recently at
Meridian Mansions, one of the largest
dances this year was at the Willard.
Every Winter a reception and dance
IS given to the congressional delega-
ton, but this Is not a cut-and-drted
affair. Some unique feature Is pre-
sented, as, for instance, the society in
cludes in its invitations all Summer
residents OF the State, no matter how
briefly they sojourn on its soil
They ask also New Hampshire folk
even If they have neglected to Join
the association, and this at least once
a season. Then officers ponder on
good features. entertaining to the
entire membership like the recent
visit of the champion fiddler, Cassius
Radfori, aged 80, who came down
from the granite hills and was the
guest of the society for three days.
At the same time, the society invited
Miss Marion Waldron, who had been
selected as Miss New Hampshire" in
a statewide beauty contest and who
will represent her State at Atlantic
City next Autumn.
Has Many Features.
Though the sedate New Hampshire
Society has followed the lead of the
Younger members in having dancing
as a prime attraction, at its meetings,
It has not departed from the worth
while things which II has cultivated
from the beginning. One of it's loyal
oldest members is Prof. Asaph Hall,
director of the Naval Observatory.