Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-03-03
66lorcester Daily alp s SFp

THE SHOE AND LEATHER MERCHANTS have
established an Exchange on Hanover street.
Boston, that was dedicated on the 23d ult..
with appropriate services, and which hereafter
will be the headquarters of the trade in this
country. After a collation. on Wednesday,
some interesting speeches were made by Gov.
Banks and others. Hon. Amasa Walker pre-
sided, and on taking the chair said:
He did not believe that any trade could
show so rapid development as the shoe and
leather trade of Massachusetts,. What was it
thirty-three years ago! He had then selected
this trade because he believed it would become
one of the largest and most profitable branches
of business in Massachusetts. From that peri
cd to this that branch of business had been of
greater profit to Massachusetts than any other
Think of product of fifty million dollars a
year. When he began business he remember
ed there were but three or four persons in the
jobbing and wholesale business in Boston,
while to-day there are no less than one hun
dred and fifty houses, some of which make
sales to the amount Of one million dollars, and
large number Of nearly half million annu-
ally.
This would show that the trade had been
one of the most important in the Common
wealth, and it was pleasant to see how natural
ly and easily it had grown up without any ex-
traordinary effort. There was convention of
Committee to Washington, on account of
the proposed tariff; but their object was rath-
er to see that the interests of the trade should
not be injured, than for any other good. He
had been one of that committee, and the Wash
ington authorities had paid them the compli-
ment OF having been the most reasonable dele
cation they had ever seen. The committee
had said they had no objection to seeing tar
III OF twenty-five per cent. laid on, and the au-
thorities fixed the tariff at twenty per cent.
more than they had asked for.
The trade had grown in a manner which
could not be paralleled anywhere else in the
world, simply because it was natural and le-
Ultimate in its administration. There had been
no general depression, and there never could
be while children were born barefoot Gen
tlemen had every prospect for success in this
new enterprise, and they might look forward
to the time when thousands should annually
assemble here to buy and to sell.
When he began business it was the habit to
send goods on commission to other cities, and
the consequence was that the business of Mas
sachusetts was poor and miserable. Lynn got
tired Of this, and notified their Southern agents
that they would make no more consignments of
boots and shoes, but sell here. This the agents
hlppantly ridiculed, but when the fall came
and their country patrons wanted goods, the
agents had to come North aud buy all they
could find here That single operation changed
the whole direction of the trade, and then com
menced that glorious career of success to Mas
sachusetts. He could wish that other men in
other lines of business would go and do like
wise. he did not like the idea of having
branch houses all over the world, when goods
could just as well be sold at home. Stop the
cotton and wooden branch trade system and
we would soon find Boston the most magnifi-
cent market for manufactured goods in the
world. Men are trying to do it, and he hoped
they would succeed.