WHILE

INTRODUCTION.

HILE the celebration of the Semi-Centennial had often been suggested in conver sation, in public speeches and through the press, the first definite action tending in this direction was taken in the Clinton Historical Society, September 18, 1899, when it was voted, on the motion of Andrew E. Ford, "that the chairman, Christopher C. Stone, be instructed to bring before the town the question of the desirability of celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Clinton."

In consequence of this vote, in a warrant for a town meeting held November 18, 1899, an article appeared: "To see if the Town will take any action in regard to a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation, or make an appropriation of five hundred dollars therefor, or for publication of an account of the proceedings of such celebration, or act in any manner relating thereto." Under this article it was voted, on the motion of Christopher C. Stone, "that the chairmen of the town boards elected by ballot be chosen as a committee to decide whether or not the town" should carry out the provisions of this article, and report at the next town meeting.

At a town meeting held December 29, 1899, this committee reported, recommending "holding a Semi-Centennial celebration on June 14, 1900, and to ask the town to appropriate not more than five thousand dollars for that purpose." This committee also recommended that "a General Committee" be appointed "in charge of the celebration," and that "the present committee be discharged." It was voted on the motion of Charles E. Shaw that the report of the "Committee on Semi-Centennial celebration be accepted and placed on file, and that the committee be discharged." It was voted on the motion of Patrick F. Cannon, "that the town celebrate its Semi-Centennial, and that the matter of date be left with a committee of twenty-five to be appointed by the chair" (David I. Walsh). It was voted on the motion of Patrick F. Cannon, "that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of four thousand dollars to carry out the recommendations of the Semi-Centennial Celebration Committee."

David I. Walsh, in submitting the committee of twenty-five to the town clerk for record, wrote: "I have given the matter considerable thought, for it seemed to me that the committee should not only be composed of citizens ready and willing to undertake the work that this event will necessarily entail, but that it should be also a committee representing Clinton's varied interests in its political, social and industrial life."

The names of this general committee will be found on a following page. The only change made therein arose from the resignation of Harry B. Merchant, whose place was filled by the election, in the committee, of David I. Walsh to fill the vacancy.

It was voted in a town-meeting held April 7, 1900, on the motion of Christopher C. Stone, "that the town raise and appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred dollars to be expended by the Semi-Centennial Committee of Twenty-five for the publication of an account of proceedings of the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, and that all moneys derived from the sale of the said account be refunded to the town treasury."

The first meeting of the General Committee of Twenty-five was held February 8, 1900, in the office of the town treasurer. The committee was organized as stated on page 7, and a sub-committee was appointed to outline a program and report at the next meeting.

At a second meeting of the General Committee, held February 13, the program committee reported a provisional program and recommended certain sub-committees to be appointed by the six officers of the General Committee for carrying out the plans embodied therein. This provisional program, after "a few amendments had been offered and accepted," "was accepted and adopted by a unanimous vote." As afterwards modified by the General Committee and developed by the sub-committees, it became the final program which follows.

In as much as the result of the total work of the General Committee and the various sub-committees is to be found in the program, the report of the treasurer and the description of the celebration, it seems hardly necessary to relate the steps by which this result was reached. Those who have had experience in arranging such celebrations and known the vast amount of labor involved in awakening enthusiasm, in harmonizing conflicting ideas, in coördinating the departments and in perfecting the endless variety of details, realize something of the work which must have been done to bring the celebration to such a successful issue. Only by the most hearty coöperation of many citizens whose names do not appear on any of the committees could this result have been reached, however great the work of the committee may have been. The celebration as a whole, then, while under the direction of the General Committee and the sub-committees, must be regarded as the universal expression of a community proud of the past, full of local patriotism in the present and confident of the future.

This memorial volume was prepared under the direction of the committee appointed for that purpose. The editorial work has been done by Andrew E. Ford, who is also responsible for all reading matter not otherwise signed. Obligation is hereby acknowledged to the newspaper articles upon the Semi-Centennial and the reports of the recording secretary af the General Committee. Many of the photographs from which the halftones have been made have been furnished without charge. David Dias, Louis G. Beck, George F. Marlowe, Horace A. Thissell, George W. Weeks, Miss Katherine B. Ballou and Thomas Sidey deserve especial mention in this connection. James E. Harvey has been the official photographer of the volume.

THE

FINANCIAL REPORT.

HE committee appointed in accordance with the vote of the town, December 29, 1899, to have charge of the Semi-Centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Clinton, beg leave to make the following report.

The committee have held seventeen meetings, exclusive of the meetings of the various sub-committees which were appointed at the earlier meetings of the General Committee. The General Committee feel that the complete success of the celebration is due in a large measure to the cordial coöperation on the part of the various sub-committees, and we wish to express our thanks for their labors and for the interest they have taken in making this historical event something to look back upon with satisfaction.

The town appropriated the sum of four thousand dollars, and the committee realizing in its earlier meetings that there would necessarily be some expenditures for features which would not, and could not be free to the general public, and which, therefore, should not be charged to the town appropriation, proceeded to raise an outside fund by subscription, to cover these expenses. More than enough was raised to meet these bills, and the balance was added to the town appropriation, and the general public got the benefit of it. The financial statement is appended:

Town appropriation

Raised by subscription...

Expended by Committee on Fire-works, Decorations, and Salutes.. $1,277 96

$4,000 00

306 85

$4,306 85