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NIN     ANNUAL MNUING.               35
and knowing them, fought, bled, and almost died for them, or
at least would have died for them if necessary.
We have now assembled for our ninth Annual Convention,
and while it may not be necessary for me to do so, yet, let me
call your attention to the fact that the eyes of the dairy world
are now cast westward and it behooves us to set them an example
from which they may all reap a reward.
In the first place, I would remind you that this convention
is for the mutual benefit of cheese makers, and I will expect
every member whom God has blessed with a tongue to enter in
and take part in the discussions, no matter what your ideas may
be, kindly give expression to your thoughts in words and do not
let some of the old dyed-in-the-wool, know-it-all, would-be pro-:
fessors blind you any longer, but go after them in a manner
that will put a check on their pomposity.
Another thing that I would like to call sour attention to and
that is an every-day expression that a traveling man is more apt
to hear than others. When we ask some of the boys to attend
our convention they say that all such conventions are nothing
but annual drunks and they would rather be excused than at-
tend. Now, I do not want you for one moment to think that I
am trying to pose as a moralist or a temperance reformer, but
I think the time has come for some one to talk, and I am proud
to be enabled to do the talking on this subject and I would ask
each one of you jolly-natured, good-souled, free-hearted fellows
to abstain as much as possible from the use of intoxicants during
our convention days, and by so doing elevate yourselves in your
own estimation and in the estimation of the outside world, but
more especialv, will you deprive some of our self-esteemed, evil-
tongued neighbors from venting their spleen in open personali-
ties.
We have with us on this occasion many skilled and profes-
sional cheese makers whose able addresses will lend us untold
benefits and among those we have secured Mr. J. A. Ruddick of
Canada. Mr. Ruddick I know personally and well, for he and
I worked together, and I think he will be willing to testify to