The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-01-18
BUSINESS MEMS ASSOCIATION.

Following is the inaugural address OF
the Vice President of the Fond du Lac
Business MEMS Association. We pub
lish it that our readers may obtain
some idea of the objects and workings
of an organization which we hope will
soon be in successful operation in this
city:
Gentlemen of the business Mems as
eociation of Fond da Lac: Owing to
the inopportune absence from the city
of the President, Mr.. John Mcdonald,
from whom fitting inaugural was eX-
pected at this meeting, the duty has de-
volved upon me to offer a substitute ad-
dress.
The principal objects of the Associ-
alton are concisely reviewed in the pre-
amble of organization adopted at the
last meeting; and the rules and regula
tons for the government of the associ-
alton, also adopted at the last meeting
make ample provision for the efficient
carrying out Of the comprehensive
scheme of social and financial advance
ment contemplated. That
UNION CONSTITUTES STRENGTH
is now a universally conceded fact, and
has been strikingly illustrated in the
fable of the isolated and united sticks.
In recognition of the power of union al
most all special departments of business
possess organized associations, having
in view more vigorous development
and advancement of their several inter
ests. The clerical, medical and legal
professions have their associations; the
bankers and various mercantile and manu-
featuring interests theirs; and doubtless
in every instance, when honestly and
properly conducted, with benefit to each
individual member. 1t is therefore not
unreasonable to expect that an organ
lied and united effort on the part of all
good citizens, representing the various
departments of business, to lnfuse IN
creased vitality into all branches of le-
ultimate trade must result in the organ
ization and successful prosecution of
projects and enterprises mutually prof
table.
Our organized Association, at present
only in its infancy, enters upon Il field
of usefulness SO broad and expansive
that
WORD OF WARNING
may not be out of place at this time.
Excessive ardor and undue haste should
be carefully guarded against, as dislp-
pointment and disaster very generally
follow insufficiently matured action.
Omnipotence himself has seen proper to
choose the slowly progressive plan of
development in nature. The sturdy oak
typical of strength and endurance, re-
quires many years and sometimes cen
turtles for its termination, growth and
maturation. Sudden transitions are
seldom permanent, and often fraught
with evil consequences. Let caution
and elaboration prevail in dealing with
all questions and matters brought be-
fore our Association, and its usefulness
and permanence viii be assured.
OUR MEMBERSHIP
comprises gentlemen engaged in various
occupations, and whose mental percep-
tons will therefore be more or less in
fuenced by their daily vacations. This
is no cause for alarm, as the exercise Of
a board and generous Hberality will har-
monize for the public good the most dis
cordant elements of debate. Every
member should be so thoroughly con
versant with the rules and regulations
adopted for the government of the As
sociation as to place each section at
memory's command. This familiarity
with the rules would aid materially in
the expeditions disposition of business
before the meetings of the Association.
Article II. of our rules subordinates
the proceedings at the meetings of the
Association to the
PARLIAMENTARY USAGES
adopted by the highest legislative and
deliberative assemblies, in so far as APP
plicable. The experience, in parliament
tary practice thus acquired will more
than compensate every member for all
the expenses of membership. Our
schools, colleges and universities edu-
cate the rising generation in the rudi-
mentary branches Of study, and expand
the mind with a carefully selected uni
versity curriculum, and yet almost uni
versally fail to impart instruction in the
practical parliamentary usages extant.
1t is n well known fact that many men
are annually elected to represent large
and wealthy constituencies in the various
Legislative bodies of the country who are
incompetent to draft an intelligent reso-
luton, or properly present a petition
from their constituents. This deficiency
in parliamentary attainments will &C
count for the fact that in many instances
Legislative bodies are controlled by sell
fish Schemers but proficient parliament
tarians. It would be well for every
member of this association to possess
himself of Blue Book, and thoroughly
fainiliarize himself with the rules of de
bate and parliamentary practice. So
much Importance is attached to this sub
ject because it is confidently believed
that the harmonious working and future
efficiency and permanence of our As
ISOLATION will be thereby assured. Your
PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
being mostly responsible for the sue
cess of the Association large powers are
necessarily given them. That they will
prudently and judiciously exercise the
trust reposed in them to the fullest ex-
tent possible for the common good there
Is every reason to hope. But it is not
in the power of the officer alone to &C
complish full measure of success. Al
though perfectly legitimate to hold them
accountable, much must depend upon
the individual efforts Of all members,
III committee, in their seats. and in their
daily occupations. The selection of
member as an officer or committeeman
may increase his duties, but should in
no instance lessen those of any
other member. Your organization con
templates that most Of the work should
be done in
GENERAL COMMITTEE,
presided over by the speaker. This
idea is Il novel one, but offers so many
points of merit as to entitle it to the
highest consideration. The general
committee may meet at any time. All
matters proposed to be brought before
the ASSOCIATION must be there introduced
and acted upon. The general commit
tee constitutes the official starting point
of all enterprises, projects and proceed
ines in which the association, as a
whole, is interested. 4 bill introduced