Chautaugua Notes

A Few Thoughts Which Come to Mind in Connection With the Recent Assembly.

Before the last number had been concluded on Wednesday night the outside canvas enclosure had been removed, and as soon as the audience had left the lot willing volun- teers were at work taking down the big tent.

By midnight the canvas had been stored away in 22 great trunks'and taken to the depot for shipmenton the north-bouud morning passenger train as excess baggage to Constantine, Mich.

There are six Chautauquas going on at tne same time one opening and one closing each week day. It requires seven tents one being in transit all the time.

Varying opinions have been expressed as to the relative excellence or tnis years and last year's programs. Some liked this year's better, some preferred last year's, and others'enjoyed both equally well. Personally, the writer in looking over the two years' programs sees but little difference ia point of analitv. Some features were a little strong er this year and some a little weaker, but ou the whole we found this year's attractions as pleasing as last.

The boys on the front seat gave a little more trouble this year. We think it is just to say that the youngsters should be accompanied by an adult unless they have been trained to behave; and even in this case the irrepressible uneasiness of a boy is excited by contact with other boys.

Superintendent Cochran says this matter has been the subject of much dicuiussion among Chatauqua managers, and it is possible that next year the plan will be adopted of having a woman who knows how to entertain children accompany each teut, and when the lecture hour arrives take the children out and furnish them with some form of entertainment that they will understand and like.

Then there is the baby nuisance. The Chautauqua people haven't been able to find a remedy for that. Half a dezen infants raisins a squal1 at intervals during an entire program constitute an impostition. But then there are the infants of larger growth - adult in size but immature in years who talk all through an entertainment.

A crying baby can be removed, but a chattering young person must be borne with. On the night of the National Grand Opera Co's program a young person flounced into a seat next to the writer and at once announced to her companion that she didn't care for music. Why she selected that occasion for attending it would be hard to guess. We saw what we were in for, aud promptly changed our seat.

The guarantors met on Thursday night, audited the bills, beard reports, approved the 1915 contract, and re-elected the 1214 officers. Mr. Michael was reluctant to stand for re-election as president, giving as a reason that ne migrut not be here next year, but the association was not willing to let him off.

Mr. Michael and the other officers and committeemen have proved themselves to be very efficient, as the result of the Chautauqua testifies.

There is a balance of $112 to carry over to next year.

Following is the financial statement as made by John Mitchell, secretary-treasurer:

RECEIPTS.

600 adult season tickets	$    900	.00
60 youths' season tickets	60	.00
Single admissions.	203	.50
C.M.A.	50	.00
Total	$1,213	.50

EXPENDITURES,

Lincoln Chautauqua	$    907	.62
A. L. Warner, draying.	25	.89
J. O. Ferrier, lumber	20	.03
Citizen, 1/2 page ad and 300 copies of papers	12	.00
C. W.Newman, auto hire	5	.00
McLane & Co., livery	9	.39
A. F. Stahl, extra labor	5	.50
A. M. Roberts, labor	2	.60
S. C. Shilling, postage, etc	2	.00
John Osborn, hotel	84	.20
Electric lighting	5	.25
Wm. Moss, labor		.75
Cook, livery		.90
Leighty, Board	18	.40
J. L. Scheuerman, labor	4	.00
Total	$1,103	.53
Balance last year	1	.12
Balance this year	$    111	.09

- Citizen - July 30 1914