Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
THE:
MUSIC TRADE
VIEW OF BANQUET HALL BEFORE GUESTS ARRIVED.
best wishes, and may he enjoy his rest, to which
he is entitled, after years of labor, in the best
of health. This is our wish, and hoping that I,
myself, may in a few years also look forward to
this and be able to leave business and its cares
to those younger in years, and who are men
able to take up and carry the burden of business.
"Gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you my
sons, Alfred D. and Walter L. Engelhardt, who
have succeeded Mr. Roth in his interest in this
business, and I recommend them to you to bear
with them and push them along when so in need.
You all know them, they having grown up. among
and with you, and you all know what is good in
them.
"As to my present plans, I may say that it is
our intention to push-the-business for-our... own
benefit, for the men with us, and for St. Johns-
ville to the utmost. Although present conditions
are discouraging, we all know that in traveling
through the country and observing closely, we
go down about as many hills as we have to go up,
and that going down is easier than the pulling
up. But we are not discouraged and expect to
start the up-grade in time and get up as fast as
we can. Thanking you for your attention and
hoping that you will enjoy yourselves while with
us, I again thank you for your presence."
(Applause.)
Senator Mill's Remarks.
Mr. Engelhardt then introduced Prof. W. W.
Howe, Superintendent of Schools, as toastmaster,
and he filled the position most ably. The first
speaker was Senator A. M. Mills, of Little Falls,
N. Y., who said in part: "Gentlemen—The toast-
master in the process of introducing me stated
that it would be a pleasure for you to hear me
speak. I am afraid you will be sorely disap-
pointed. I came here with a great deal of pleas-
ure, expecting to be entertained and not to be
called upon to bore you; moreover, inflict pain
upon you. As a lawyer, I naturally expect the
inalienable right of life, liberty and to enjoy the
relentless pursuit of my clients. (Laughter.)
There are many other reasons why I should not
be called to make a speech, not because I am not
used to such an ordeal, for this is my business
REVIEW
Miller, deceased. This was nineteen years ago,
and St. Johnsville then was about the deadest
village between Montauk Point and Niagara.
Poon the modest factory became inadequate, and
one by one other buildings were added. From an
insignificant village St. Johnsville became a grow-
ing borough, and to-day its citizens enjoy all the
privileges of a cosmopolitan city. This always
follows the founding of new enterprises. To
Mr. Roth and Mr. Engelhardt is due the credit
of winning great success. They were practical
men, courageous and hard workers, and by per-
severance won out.
' Here I want to say a word to the workmen,
.many of whom have grown old in the service and
have been so faithful to duty. To all, young and
old, is due some of the credit for this magnifi-
cent enterprise and its success. I am pleased to
see so many of them a ound this festive board
as guests of the firm, who, in inviting you here,
surely show their appreciation of your co-opera-
tion and service. I am more than delighted to
be one of the guests and add my best wishes for
their future success." (Applause.)
Father Morrisey 1 * Tribute.
Rev. Father Morrisey, who was next called
upon, said in part: "I did not expect to be
called upon, and as one of the newest residents
of the village I should be immune from the con-
sequences of endeavoring to make a speech. I
arrived here but recently, am a new citizen and I
sincerely hope I will not be classed as an unde-
sirable one. I certainly find pleasure in being
here and further pleased to add my tribute of
praise as to the enterprise of our esteemed
host. He richly deserves the success scored, for
he has worked arduously to achieve it. We have
no patent of nobility in this country, and I may
add it was the eternal nobility of these gentle-
men, Messrs. Roth and Engelhardt, that won
the confidence and esteem of the entire commu-
nity and made it possible for them to foster and
promote this business to such a high standard.
They have been a contributory force in this vil-
lage for achievement along industrial lines, and
have helped in ro small degree to the peace and
happiness of its citizens. In the manufacturing
of musical instruments they have also contrib-
uted to the happiness and peace of the world, for
their handiwork is known all over the civilized
globe. Music hath charms to soothe the savage
breast, and their 'product is far-famed. Where
there is contentment there can be no war. With
music in our hearts and homes we are a peace-
loving people. In the characteristic words of
Joseph Jefferson 'may our esteemed host and his
two sons live long and prosper.'" (Great ap-.
plause.)
and vocation. I am always prepared^for a
money consideration—to serve any one who has
the price. (Laughter.) The Lord knows you
have plenty of music here and I know you all
enjoy it. I can't understand why you should be
forced to hear a lot of 'chin music' from me. I
have talked upon many subjects—i. e., against
the shrieking of car whistles, against the practic-
ing of brass bands, against the yelping of dogs,
against dog fights, etc., etc. (and ably, too) —
but how can I hope to score with you as an able
lawyer when you hear such beautiful music as
has been rendered on the several instruments
manufactured by this enterprising concern.
"I am not a 'Peerless player-piano' yet, and
you are victims of circumstances if you expected
to be entertained by me. The manufacture of
the various instruments we have heard this after-
noon is the crowning glory of the enterprise.
If Mr. Engelhardt had tried to convince people
that such instruments were possible about two
hundred years ago he would have been hung
for witchcraft, and I sincerely wish that this
could be applied to the toastmaster for calling on
me. (Laughter.)
"Seriously, 1 am delighted to be here. This
firm deserves all the success scored. I distinctly
remember when I first visited St. Johnsville, so
beautifully situated in the Mohawk Valley. There
were no such factories then as you find to-day.
Later I heard that there was a movement on foot
to establish a factory here, and when I asked for
particulars was informed that two gentlemen
hoped to secure the needed capital and were look-
ing for the co-operation of the residents to carry
it through. When I asked who the two gentlemen
were I was curtly informed: 'Why two Dutch-
C. E. Cronk on Co-Operation.
men by the name of Roth and Engelhardt, who
C. E. Cronk, architect of the new factory, the
have a little music shop in the village. I believe next speaker, dwelt upon the necessity of co-
the promoters wanted about $9,000 to buy the site operation of the citizens of St. Johnsville to make
and to build the factory. Naturally, there were the business a success and for the fostering of the
a number who did not believe that such an enter- various enterprises that contributed to the up-
prise would succeed. One man, however, and building of the village. He added that every
to him great credit, is due, thought otherwise. citizen should work hand in hand with the mem-
He was a resolute, " earnest and active worker. bers of the firm and encourage and support them
He enjoyed the confidence of many and he ac- in every move made for the advancement of the
complished his mission. That man was Solomon enterprise. He further remarked that it was only
THE PLANT OF F . ENGELHABDT & SONS AT ST. JOHNSVILLE, SHOWING NEW BUILDINGS ON LEFT.