HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION. 



HE history of the Annual Work-Horse Parade in Boston has already been 



^ I ' recorded in the catalogues for previous years. The earliest suggestion of 



■*" forming an association for this purpose was made by the late Eobert 



Ashton Lawrence, who became its first President, and who was always 



its generous friend and benefactor. Time has not diminished the sense 



of loss which his untimely death caused to his old associates. His warm 



heart and manly impulses, his modesty, his readiness to assist the needy, 



his sympathy with all sorts and conditions of men endeared him to them. 



He was a gentleman and a sportsman of the old school, free from all 



affectation, courteous and quiet in manner, but dignified and punctilious. 



The Lawrence Gold Medal, the principal prize offered annually by the Association, will, 



we hope, preserve his memory for many years to come. 



Last year the Association announced with regret the resignation of C. S. Packe- 

 mann, Esq., and J. W. Bartol, M. I)., from the Board of Directors. This year the 

 Board has lost Mr. J. H. Smith, of tlie firm of Youlden, Smith and Hopkins. To 

 his energ}'' and wise, practical judgment the Association is greatly indebted, and the 

 Directors trust that they will always have the benent of his advice and co-operation. 

 Mr. Charles L. Burrill, a well-known banker, deeply interested in the humane treat- 

 ment of horses, takes Mr. Smith's place. 



MEN AND HORSES. 



One fact has often forced itself upon ihe attention of the Directors, nameJy, that 

 the welfare of the work-horse is bound up with the welfare of the men who drive and 

 care for him. In stables where the men are well ])aid and are treated with kindness 

 and consideration by the proprietor, the horses, in turn, are well treated by the men, 

 and look sleek and contented. On the other hand, in stables where there is bad feeling, 

 or utter want of good feeling, between the omplo3'er and his men, the horses suffer 

 accordingly. Pecognizing these facts, some public-spirited women in New York and 

 also in Chicago have recently organized clubs for teamsters, and even clubs for team- 

 sters' wives. This is a step in the right direction. 



