Mr. Beach next presented Governor Woodruff in these words:
“During my business experience, it has been my privilege to make many congenial acquaintances, one of which stands out most prominently to-day. A number of years ago, a young man called upon us representing a firm with which we had established relations. He has risen step by step in his business career, until he now occupies a position at the head of the firm which he then represented. A few years ago his name became mentioned in political circles, and he has risen so rapidly in this sphere that he comes to us to-day as the Chief Executive of the State.
“For integrity of character, for honesty of purpose, for having the courage of his convictions, he is a Governor whom the people of the State of Connecticut will do well to honor. Roosevelt at Washington, Hughes at Albany, Woodruff at Hartford, are the type of public officials which the people want.
“It is my very great pleasure, as well as honor, to present not only to the people of New Milford, but also to the guests whom we are entertaining to-day, his Excellency, Rollin S. Woodruff, of New Haven, Governor of Connecticut.
Governor Woodruff said:
“My friends, I am very glad to join with you in celebrating the two hundredth birthday of the settlement of New Milford. This commemoration will become an interesting experience in your lives, and your children will never forget the history that is taught them by this event. They will learn of the early struggles of those who laid the solid foundation of Connecticut, in the establishment of her towns, in the making of her laws, and building of a great commonwealth out of the materials of industry, education, and patriotism.
“It was no easy task your forefathers set out to perform, when they determined to have a government as nearly democratic in its intention as it was possible to conceive. The scheme of the founders of our State was to insure happiness for all by making all the people independent and free to govern themselves, and to advance themselves in a way that had never before been dreamed of by any race of men. The wisdom of those early settlers in organizing society upon a liberal plane seems to us almost marvelous. What they hoped for has been realized.
“The people who founded New Milford and the other Connecticut towns were unselfish. They planned not only for themselves and their time, but they planned for those that were to come after them. They saw through the years what might be
