Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-01
LOCAL NEWS.

ALEXANDRIA COMMERCIAL EXCHANGE. =
The banquet Of the Alexandria Commercial
Exchange this evening, when the members OF
the body took possession of their new hall. was
one of the most agreeable affairs that ever oc-
Cured in this city.
The room is one of the most beautiful 10 the
country. and is admirably adapted for the pur-
pose for which it is designed.
At two o'clock, the members Of the EX-
change and about two hundred invited guests,
many of whom were from Washington, George
town and the surrounding country, being pre-
sent, the President, George Washington, esq,
raped with his gavel, aud Geo. \. Worthing
ton, ESQ.,, the chairman Of the building COM
mttee.in well prepared and gratifying report
showing the growth and commercial prosperity
of the city. turned over the building to the
Commercial Exchan.e Company.
The President in accepting the report, said:
'Gcntlcmen 1t is my privilege and pleasant
duty to accept this room from the President OF
the Exchange Building Company, and to ex
press the thanks of this Association for the able
and satisfactory manner the committee have
discharged their duty, and for the good taste
displayed in its structure.
ITO our friends who are present to-day, anu
especially to those from the country, and from
other cities and towns, | extend, on behalf OF
the Commercial Association, 4 most cordial and
hearty welcome.
gentlemen, we welcome you to day, to this.
our first social reunion, and trust that new
friendships may be formed and old ones
strengthened at this friendly gathering.
Ifyou desire to see your State merge from
the thick cloud OF darkness which now sur
rounds her If you would see her stride forth
like a giant in her strength and take that place
in the family of States to which her geographic
cal position and her vast. and a. yet undevel-
opcd natural resources entltle her, with ner
honor unsullied. and her credit unimpared,
stand by your cities and towns, foster aud en-
courage in every way you can your manutac-
turing and commercial interest, Tor these are aS
the artrics through which flows your own life
blood.
Invite capital, labor, and intelligence, to
make their home in Virginia. Relieve them as
far as possible from taxation, and be sure that
YOU impose no burdens on them that you do
not impose on yourselves. Share with them
equally and fairly the burdens, aud you will re-
jolce aud share with them their prosperity.
But, Gentlemen, will not consume your
time, as | see present others willing and more
able to entertain you upon this agreeable occa-
sion. and whom We will take pleasure TO hear.
1T is my pleasure to renew the invitation al
ready extended. and give YOU one and all,
again hearty welcome-l now call you from
labor to refreshments.
The assembage was then invited to partakc
of the banquet which was spread upon tables
extending the entire length Of the room, aud
from the rapdity with which it was disappear
ing,at three o clock, when the thiSreport closed.
there could be no doubt Of its excellence.
The building has front Of seventy feet and
depth Of forty is titty-three feet high. orua-
nented with rustic base dorc columns,
panneled trieze, cobbles and brackets, and sur
mounted with we'll proportioned Sky-light- :
1t was commenced last August, by Mr.. Is. i.
Price, the contractor, and the scafodng now
obscuring its front will be removed IN about
TWO weeks. The hail is twenty five feet high
with gallery and an arched ceiling beautifully
OrDamcutcd