WARDEN’S SUPPER

[Welland Tribune, 9 December 1898]

Warden Cronmiller marked his retirement from the chief legislative position in the county by a supper to the county council and county officials, at the Mansion house, on Wednesday evening. All the county councillors were present except Mr. Pew, and in addition there were Sheriff Smith, I.P. Willson, clerk county court, &c., County Clerk Cooper, Treasurer Hobson, Solicitor Raymond, ex-councillor S.J. Sidey, George Cronmiller of Welland, Thomas White of Port Colborne and J.J. Sidey and T.H. Sears, representing the Welland press. The spread was said to be the finest ever laid in the town, embracing substantials and delicacies in profusion, and  reflecting the utmost credit on mine host and hostess, Mr. and Mrs. Wall.

Warden Cronmiller presided, with ex Warden Morris in the vice chair. Many excellent and interesting speeches were made, and we regret that time and space enables us to give little more than the toast list.

The first toast in every loyal assembly- “The Queen, God bless her,” was given from the chair and responded to by “God Save the Queen.”

The Warden then welcomed his guests with a clever and pleasing personal reference to each.

“The Army and Navy,” was received with “Britannia,” led by Mr. Hobson, and acknowledgments made.

Col. Raymond, who took occasion to eulogize Major-General Hutton, the new commander of the Canadian forces. He said General Hutton was energetically backed by the Government-he believed under inspiration from the Home Government-and as a result he predicted a great change for the better in the Canadian militia during the next five years. The speaker thoroughly endorsed the maxim that the best way to  maintain peace was to be prepared for war, and closed by thanking the county council for their liberal grants to the local volunteer force whenever solicited. (Applause.)

Maj. Cruikshank said we are all proud to be a part of the British Empire, and particularly proud of the British army and its noble deeds. Dargai and Khartoum were recent instances of unparalleled achievements by the British arms. It was the only army recruited by voluntary enlistment, except that of the United States. Other armies were merely nations in arms. The British army was a small army and constantly employed, therefore up to the highest state of efficiency. It was the vanguard of civilization. Peace, law and order followed the British flag. As for the British navy, it did police duty on the seas the world over, and was so overwhelmingly strong that its strength was never tested. He hoped the people of Canada would have the patriotism and good sense to join and aid Maj. Hutton and the government in making the volunteer force of Canada our national army in fact, and he hoped more of our citizens would visit the yearly camp at Niagara and see for themselves the good work being done. (Cheers)

Vice Chairman Morris gave the toast of the evening, “The Warden.” In doing so he referred to the fact of the county council of this year having broken the record by transacting the business in sessions aggregating in all only eight days, attributing this unparalleled shewing as largely due to the warden’s faithful and energetic discharge of his duties.

The toast was drunk with vim, and “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”

Warden Cronmiller made a most suitable and practical address in reply. He thanked the assembly for the honor done him, declaimed undo praise, and complimented the council on having worked faithfully and as one man in the public interest. As for himself, he had done his duty only. If he had failed in any instance the omission was not wilful neglect. He attributed the phenomenal success attending this year’s council as largely due to the banishment of partyism from the council, which had followed the new order of things. He credited Ex-Warden Morris with having started the ball of economy rolling. He was proud to be warden of a council that had made such a record. He was proud of the County of Welland-the noblest county in Canada. Referring to county matters, he said the county was now almost free of debt, and would be wholly so in a few weeks, and that the Industrial Home net expenditure had been reduced to $2700, less than that previously paid by the county for the support of the insane destitute alone, whilst the deserving poor of the county were provided with a home in which to pass their old age in comfort. In closing, the warden stated his intention of retiring from municipal life at the close of the present term, but he hoped all the councillors’ would be re-elected if offering, as they deserved well of the electors. (Cheers)

“The County Council,” proposed by G.L. Hobson in a neat speech, drew responses from several councillors.  Mr. Morden gave an excellent, practical address, dealing particularly with the  tramp question. He thought the professional tramp should be squelched. H.N. Willson spoke on the county home. R. Moore advocated drilling of school boys as a means of instilling patriotism into them and preventing consumption and all narrow chest diseased, as well as thus building up a bulwark for the national defence, Mr. Steele paid a feeling tribute to late County Councillor Wm. Brown of Wainfleet. Mr. Upper announced himself as the unvarying friend of two classes-the farmers and the volunteers. Mr. Morris said he represented the oldest industry on record, fruit raising, first mentioned in the history of Adam and Eve and the apple tree.

Mr. Morris gave “The County Officials,” responded to by I.P. Willson, Sheriff Smith, Clerk Cooper, Treasurer Hobson and Jailor Coulson, all of whom spoke of the most cordial relations existing between the county council and the officials.

Mr Morden gave “The Civil Service,” coupled with the name of S.J. Sidey, who appropriately responded, joining with all in congregating  the warden on his well-merited honors, and hoping that his farewell to municipal life might not be final.

“The Press,” by Mr. Morden, responded to by J.J. Sidey and T.H. Sears.

Mr. Wilson gave the sentiment, the pioneer county councillors of the county, which was duly honored.

Col. Raymond gave “Our Manufacturing and Commercial Interests,” responded to by George Cronmiller and Thos. White.

Mr. Cruishank gave “Our Absent Member,” Mr. J. Harrison Pew, “For he’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Mr. C. said he was not only this but a fair, square, upright, honorable man, and a wise and broad-minded councillor.

“Our host and hostess,” closed the list.

The addresses during the latter part of the evening were of a classical and sentimental nature to which it is impossible to do justice in an abbreviated form, therefore we content ourself by enumerating the list only. At the usual hour the happy function was brought to a close by the time-honored performance of “Auld Lang Syne,” and all retired with a most pleasant never-to-be forgotten addition to memory’s repertoire.