TWENTY-FIRST REUNION. THE annual meeting was held Nov. 15, 1900, in Young's Hotel, President Richard J. Monks in the chair. Secretary Lawrence being absent by reason of ill health, Col. Jonas H. French was chosen Secretary pro tem. The records of the last meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer's report was submitted and accepted. The candidates for officers presented by the Nominating Committee for the ensuing year were elected : EBENEZER ALEXANDER, President. BENJAMIN B. Whittemore, Vice-President. ROBERT B. WILLIAMS, Treasurer. WARREN RICHARDSON, Historian. Directors: William T. Eustis, Spencer W. Richardson, William W. Doherty, Nathan Appleton, Jeremiah Tinkham, John S. Damrell, Thomas Hills, Merrill N. Boyden, L. Foster Morse. On motion of Mr. S. S. Blanchard a committee was appointed to consider the question of obtaining an Act of Incorporation, and to report at the next annual meeting. The company then marched to the banquet room and were called to order at the tables, when a blessing was invoked by Mr. Wm. H. Baldwin. At the end of the dinner, President Monks invited the Niles orchestra to accompany the members in singing "Memories" as the opening exercise. He then made some welcoming remarks, and proceeded to speak of the great changes which have taken place since 1850, and which the school boys of that date have seen accomplished as the years have rolled on. President-elect Ebenezer Alexander being called upon, said that at last he had reached the head of his class, by the favor of his mates, who had conferred an honor by electing him as their chief, which he duly appreciated; he referred to the saying of Dr. Edward Everett Hale, that "men should look forward, not backward," a difficult thing for Old School Boys to do ordinarily, and quite out of the question in Reunions like this. He regarded as exceptional the fact that he was able to see the spot where he was born from the doorway of his place of business in Park Square. He regretted the decreasing membership, and urged the necessity of effort, by each member, to induce those becoming eligible to join our ranks. Mr. Francis M. Bacon of New York, who was next introduced, said, that he had not come to the meeting alone, but had also brought three others who had now become members. He spoke of his student days in Boston, and paid a tribute to the school system of the city. Harking back to the days of his youth he remembered the big storm of 1851, which destroyed Minot's Ledge Light; and of skating where Arlington Street now is. Martin L. Bradford next spoke of changes in the Banking system in Boston, consequent upon the expanded business of the city, which demanded the best facilities for its transaction. He said that there were two characteristics of Boston business men, thoroughness and integrity, which had not changed with the lapse of years, and which he hoped would never change. Merchants in other parts of the country had always been glad to get Boston trade first of all. These qualities of character had been always insisted on by the Boston teachers of fifty years and more ago. A A letter from Mr. Lawrence was read, expressing his regret that he could not attend the Reunion. vote was passed to send greetings to him who had so faithfully served the Association as its Secretary and Treasurer, with the sympathy and good wishes of the members. Mr. Granville S. Webster, Master of the Eliot School, spoke of the educational work at the North End, and especially at the Eliot School, which is the oldest grammar school in the city. He referred to the large number of Irish, Jews and Italians, who had located there, and gave in detail the progress made by the children of these emigrants. He said, in that school there are at present 2,088 pupils; of these 1,230 are boys, of whom 602 were born in Europe. He added that many of the native-born were as intensely foreign as those of alien birth. Mr. Wm. W. Doherty said, It was very fortunate for the development of American sentiments in such children, that they were surrounded by such reminders of American principles and patriotism as Bunker Hill, Christ Church and Faneuil Hall. Mr. Thomas Hills, who followed, said he thought the refinement of education in the Boston grammar schools had been, and is now, carried too far; too many studies are to-day forced upon children some of which properly belong to a High school curriculum. The pupils get a smattering of some things, to the detriment of thoroughness in the all-important studies necessary for a good start in life's work, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Mr. Geo. B. James alluded to the many instances of virility and longevity here present,—whose gray hairs or bald heads invite respect and honor. He said that a German scientist had discovered that no man could raise two crops on one head, — it must be either hair or brains! After brief remarks by Ex-Presidents Guild, Allen and Blanchard, the company, which numbered 87, adjourned for a year. TWENTY-SECOND REUNION. THE annual meeting was held at Young's Hotel, Nov. 20, 1901, President Ebenezer Alexander in the chair. As Mr. Lawrence, the Secretary, was not present, Mr. Herbert W. Kimball was chosen Secretary pro tem. The records of the last meeting were read, and the usual reports submitted and approved. The committee appointed at the previous annual meeting, to consider the advisability of obtaining an Act of Incorporation, reported that it was inexpedient to take such action. The report was accepted. The following gentlemen were elected officers for 1901-1902: BENJAMIN B. WHITTEMORE, President. Directors: William T. Eustis, Spencer W. Richardson, Thomas Hills, John S. Damrell, Robert B. Williams, George F. Pierce, L. Foster Morse, Merrill N. Boyden, George H. Worthley. |