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President's Message Upcoming Events Will Ertman
Important Notice! Saturday, February 7, 2004, has been cancelled.
33rd Secretary of the Navy. Official portrait, painted in oils by Ulysses Dow Tenney, 1902. Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C. Governor John D. Long held a number of political positions - including member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Governor of Massachusetts in the 1880s, member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the late 1880s and Secretary of the Navy in the late 1890s. The Society recently received as a gift a sterling silver pitcher that was presented to Gov. Long on the occasion of his 75th birthday in 1913. The pitcher bears the engraved inscription: To John Davis Long first citizen of Hingham In deference to whose modesty of public Celebration of his birthday was given up This token of their love is sent by his fellow townsmen October 27, 1913 Governor Long was quoted on politics in an October 31, 1913 Hingham Journal article as follows: "Politics and campaign methods have not changed very much since I was running for Governor 30 years ago. Of course we had conventions then instead of this fizzle of a primary. "I spoke nearly every day for a month preceding the election and visited all the cities and towns that I was able to. Sometimes the campaign was perfunctory and at other times as heated and interesting as today. When I ran against Benjamin F. Butler in 1879 the feeling was very high. I had a plurality of but 10,000 against Butler and John Quincy Adams, while in the next year, when we had things our own way and Butler did not run, I had a plurality of 50,000. "In 1882, when Butler defeated Bishop, and the next year, when Robinson defeated Butler, the feeling was quite high, if not more so, than it is today, and the question of personalities was even more strongly interjected. That was inevitable when a man of Butler's marked individuality entered the contest. "But even today the question of personalities, when summed up, amounts to very little. In those days we had the state convention to elect candidates, a much cheaper method than the direct primary and far better. The object of the primary is to give the people a chance, but in effect they do not get it. With the exception of the leading candidates, there is an inability on the part of the people at large to learn about the candidates, and they vote without discussion. "There would be far more discrimination if there was a convention where the fitness of all candidates could be discussed, local as well as state. "I used to go to all parts of the state. I spoke every night, visiting every county, though of course not all the towns, usually accompanied by other speakers. There were local rallies in almost every town where we were represented by speakers. "We had nothing of the present automobile tour system, and rarely did I speak in more than one town a night except in the latter part of the campaign. Then I would be driven from Somerville to Cambridge and then to Boston, or perhaps from Brockton to Whitman. The other candidates did not accompany the candidates for Governor as they do now, indeed, some never spoke at all during the campaign. "In those years, as in the present, we discussed national as well as state issues, the tariff, currency problems and such state issues as were pending. "We were reformers and progressive in those days, always looking for any need of repairs in the political ship of state and patching it up. "The interests of labor were put to the front, and our legislative blue book was then, as now, a record of progress in the protection of labor, in the care of those who were dependent and infirm and in bettering social conditions. "The world does not change much." Will Ertman A reception for John D. Long, when he was Secretary of the Navy, was held at the Wompatuck Club (now the Community Center). The sketch at left was published and the newspaper article commented that "[b]etween five and six hundred guests participated in the reception . . . Many ladies and children also took the Secretary's hand."
Just Some Ordinary News Volunteers Wanted! The OO Committee is looking for volunteers, for both long-term and short-term projects. This is a good
opportunity for those who want to get a little closer to history! Would you be interested in volunteering with the OO Committee? Currently we are looking for
members to schedule the elementary school tours in the spring. For the House Tour, we need someone to coordinate refreshments. Please call Penni Hughes (781-749-0499) or Lisa Hemphill
(781-740-8229) for more information. Male and female volunteers are encouraged to call. For infrequent volunteers, we can always use hosts and hostesses for the House Tour (Sunday, June
13, 2004) and during the summer at Old Ordinary. House Tour shifts are for two to three hours and may be at the OO or at houses on the tour. Summer volunteers work a three-hour shift, summer afternoons, at the OO.
Volunteer for as many or few projects as you want. Please contact Susan Boyd (781-741-8554) to sign up. If you are interested in spending more time getting to know the OO, this is your chance! Lisa Hemphill
Briefly Told
Docent Wanted. The Hingham Historical Society is hiring a docent to give guided tours at the Old Ordinary. It is a part-time position running from approximately May to September. The position pays
$12 an hour. Contact Avis Studley at 781-749-1574 for more information. Wanted! Wood Choppers to demonstrate basic tools used by colonists in daily life, including the ax,
froe, wedge and possibly others. Some familiarity with an ax helpful. Needed for two to three hour shifts for school tours in the spring and on the day of the House Tour (Sunday, June 13). If you can
help, please call Penni Hughes (781-749-0499) or Lisa Hemphill (781-740-8229). Limited quantities of three scenes of the Hosea Sprague woodcut tiles are available from the Old
Ordinary. Please contact Susan Achille at 781-749-0706 or any Old Ordinary Committee member. Tool Trivia (interesting facts found while researching the 2004 tool exhibit): A twist auger was
designed so that shavings ascended the spiral body and therefore frequent withdrawal of the tool to clear them was unnecessary, and the tool pulls itself to some extent through the hole. (Dictionary of
Woodworking Tools c. 1700-1970, R.A. Salaman, Astragal Press, 1997.) In Her Own Words . . Susan Achille has a recognizable face in Hingham after managing Bowl & Board with her husband, Carl, for 30 years. Carl retired in January 2003 with Susan following in June. Through their combined efforts the shop grew and prospered. At the same time, they raised a family and became active in the Hingham Historical Society. They work hard and make a success of whatever they undertake, whether it's business, family or community projects. The Old Ordinary House Committee was delighted when Susan elected to return as a full member. The rest is "In Her Own Words."
Carl has been involved with the Historical Society for many years and encouraged me to get involved. I was familiar with the Old Ordinary House Committee because Ann Tolman, a former chairman, lived next door and another member, Rose Tuite, lived across the street. At the time I joined about 15 years ago, the committee was looking for new members. It was a good fit because I was able to use my retail experience with the gift shop and house tour ticket sales. Everything comes full circle. I'll be performing the same duties again this year for the House Committee.
Carl and Susan do take time away from Hingham and family when they use their timeshare in Aruba for two weeks each May to relax in the sun. They've had pets in the past but prefer to consider their
son's golden retriever, Lilly, as their "pet." |
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