204 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Z. D. Scott: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — As 

 your president has stated, Mr. Wentworth telephoned from 

 Marshalltown this afternoon that he was delayed and would not 

 be here in time to respond to the address of welcome, so he tele- 

 phoned a few remarks, which I take pleasure in reading to you. 



RESPONSE TO ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



E. M. WENTWORTH, STATE CENTER . 

 (Read by Mr. Z. D. Scott. ) 



Ml'. President, Ladies and Gentlemen — The Iowa State Dairy Association 

 holds no higher honor than is conveyed in your words of welcome ; its mem- 

 bers have no greater pleasure than the privilege of again meeting within 

 your hospitable city. We share your pride in this beautiful city ; this asso- 

 ciation has twice chosen its president from your citizenship, Honorable O. 

 T. Danison, and the only Sam Shilling, each by energy and ability served 

 honorably for three terms. Three times has the association been the city's 

 guest; thus, for more than one-third of its life, the Iowa State Dairy Asso- 

 ciation and Mason City have touched elbows in the uplift of the dairy in- 

 dustry. 



I found the other day the report of an early meeting, and, as I read the 

 list of members, there rushed through my mind the poet's lament, "Oh, 

 time and change ! Alas how few are left of all that gallant crew." John 

 Stewart gone, George Bull gone, Gates gone, Dexter gone. Antes gone, 

 Fred Kimball gone, McErlain gone ; but the manhood that marked their 

 lives makes fragrant their memory. 



' 'There is no death, men come and go, 

 And with their little fruitage wax and wane ; 

 Bat till the final sunset glow and the last mountain fane. 

 Till burnt and bleak the sweet fields lie and pine dissever 

 All light from life on earth forever, 

 These voices in the sky shall sunlight be— and starlight. " 



I chanced upon an old programme, so old I doubt if you recall it, Mr. 

 President, the striking feature, " Larboard Watch," by Dexter and Lum- 

 bard. We miss the bluff greeting that typified the sailor ancestry of C. F. 

 Dexter ; may the whistling winds and roaring waters he so loved in life 

 sooth his slumbers. The kindly heart that beat beneath that rough exterior, 

 the ready wit that illumed the rugged character, are more and more appre- 

 ciated with the passing years. 



So I can see tonight in that fairer land, in that city not built by hands, 

 not Dexter alone, but Stewart, and Gates, and Bull, Antes and Kimball, 

 alike with attentive ear listening to your plaudits for the living, for the 

 grand old man who is with you. 



We thank you, sir, for the warmth of your welcome. We know it is good 

 to be with you. 



The President: We are forced to vary our programme a 

 little, and the next man who will appear before you is one who 



