Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-11-24

OF Commerce association members, Mr..
Bodden theu delivered his formal adj.
dress accepting the keys of the chamber
which was as follows:
| LADIES AND GENTLEHEN-It now becomes my
agreeable duty, as president of the chamber OF
| commerce. after the formal delivery of the Elk.
change hall, to declare tue same from this date
the business home of our association
1t is gratifying to observe that the interest
taken in the erection of this magnificent temple
OF commerce 1s general one; fact which is
clearly manifested by the imposing gathering OF
citizens and prominent men from abroad who
have honored us with their presence.
Hardly fourteen months have passed since
thousands of people occupied this very place
and the surroundings, witnessing another great
event, the solemn laying of the corner stone OF
this beautiful monument of commercial enter
prise.
l have good reason to suppose that most of
those who participated in that imposing cere-
mony expected building worthy Of the me-
tro2olis of our state and creditable to the vast
trade and commerce of the great Northwest; but
venture to say that, very few, if any, expected
ON edifice of such magnificent proportions and
gorgeous finish as the one, the opening of
which we now celebrate.
| therefore say, without fear of contradiction,
that this, our new business palace, as far as
comfort, convenience and elegance are con-
cerned, stands unsurpassed by any similar edi-
flee In this country-a proud and lasting mopu-
ment of the business enterprise of Milwaukee.
Ii look back 80 years, to the time when first I
landed on this shore, or rather on one Of the
piers extending into Lake Michigan, am sur
prised at the changes which have taken place
At that time found no prominent private or
public buildings, no manufacturing establish
ments, no elevators, no railroads, no harbor in
to which vessel could safely enter. and the
business OF this city, especially the grain trade,
was SO Insignificant that it hard1y deserves
mention.
Milwaukee was of less Importance than a fair
sized country, village, and chamber of COM
MERGE was thing unthought of until the year
1858, when few enterprlsing citizens laid the
foundation for one Of the strongest organiza-
tions of this city, which at the present time
numbers $40 members Milwaukee, most prop1i-
nent business men.
FIom that time the mercantile, commercial.
manufacturing and financial business of bIilwarl-
kee, founded on basis as solid as a rock has
experienced steady, healthy andrapid growth.
SO much SO, that we now have city of over
1861 900 inhabitants, any number of prominent
public and private buildings, large manufaclur-
ing establishments, elevators to compare with
any city in the world safe and beautiful har-
Dor, fleet of vessels and excellent railroad
facilities to bring the enormous products of the
great Northwest to this market.
In all these years there has been no public en-
terprlse undertaken IN which the chamber of
commerce or its members were not foremost in
supporting the same. And to-day they may
look with pride on what they have accomplished
and congratulate themselves on the magnificent
results.
/ trust, that with the opening of this Ex-
change building new era of business prosper
ity will begin aid that the members of this or
ganization will cherish its good name, as to in
tegI1ty and fair dealing, in the future, which it
has acquired and enjoyed in the past, and that q
new impulse will be given to the important pro-
duce and grain trade Of these northwestern
states.
And as the key, which have just received,
unlocks the chamber of commerce, so let the en-
ergy and enterprise of those, who daily assem-
bic here, unlock the granaries of the great
Northwest and draw their riches over the ex-
tensive iron net of railroads into Wisconsin's
metropolis, in order to lead them into their nat
ural channels towards the eastern shore and
across the ocean, to gladden. the hearts of the des
ttute millions of the Old World, that in return
they may compensate the toll hardened farmer
and pioneer for their labor, and thereby add
to the general wealth and prosperity of our
whole country.
Speaking of the extensive railroads which lead
into and centre in Milwaukee it is but just to say,
that the greatest share of credit is due to that
enterprls1ng gentleman who has erected thus
magnificent exchange building. Without these
rCads THIS hall would be a mere luxury and of
no practical use. With these roads. provided
they are managed 80 as to make the interests of
Mllv aukee identical with those of the railroad
corporations, the steady and healthy growth
and prosperity Of Milwaukee, in commercial
point of view, Will soon surpass those of any
commercial city OF the same size in America.
In conclusion allow me in the name of the
Chamber of Commerce association, to express
my thanks to Mr.. Mitchell for having taken SO
m ch personal interest IN this building as that
he has saved neither labor nor expense to make
it even more elegant THAI we reasonably could
expect; to Mr.. Mix for his skillful designs and
his strict attention to having them properly exc
cuted; to Messrs. Almini and Conway tor their
artistic work i'll decorating and beautifying this
hall; to Mr.. Roberts, the master mason; to Mr..
Dlngwall, the master carpenter; to every me-
chanic and to all those who assisted in the erec-
ton of this magnificent edifice.
Without break in the proceedings that
gentleman again requested the attention
Of the audience, and read the appended
letter in response to on invitation to at
tend the inaugural exercises. which he
had received from an early time officer,
and present prominent member of the
Chamber of Commerce association:
MILWAUKEE, November II. 1880.
Hon. II. Bodden, President Mil,oaukee Chamber
of Commerce:
DEAR SIR-Please accept my thanks for your
kind request that should Try to be present and
make some remarks upon the occasion of the
ceremonies attending the opening of the new
chamber of commerce rooms.
regret that the condition of my health will
not permit my being a participant with you and
my friends upon that occasion.
We certainly have many reasons for congrat-
ulation. 10 say that our new rooms are beau
dful, commodious and every way perfect for
the purpose intended, and will compare favor
ably in point of beauty and symmetry, with any
now in existence, think is no exaggeration.
And too much cannot be said in way of COM
mendation of the manner in which the Hon.
Alexander Mitchell has morethan fulfilled all his
promises III furnishing us these beautiful apart
ments.
When reflect back to 1858, when this COM
mercial body was first organized, and the small
room then occupied in the basement of the
Newhal house, and compare that room with
this spacious and beautiful hall and apartments
I am reminded of the rapid and great growth
of the Northwest and the commerce corrected
Herewith.
1t is but little over half century, and
within my recollection and observation. that
this great Northwest, tributary to Lakes Huron,
Ill