The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-15
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS.
The Business Session of the Associa
ton Held on Saturday Last.
President Cooks Annual Acknowledgements
of Other Officers, and the Election of
Officers and Directors for 1883.

Lyra Hall on Saturday morning at ~ O'CLOCK,
with good attendance.
Messrs. Munson, of Fort Wayne; HOllings-
worth, of 1erre Haute; Branham, of Evansville;
Brougb, of Lafayette, and Van Arsdel, of Indian
apolis, were appointed committee on rules,
and during their absence the report of the re-
firing president, Mr.. r. j. Cook, of the drug
house OF Browning & Sloan, was read as follows;
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT
Gentlemen-For the second time it becomes
my duty aud pleasure to welcome you 70 our an
nual meeting. The wheels OF time, In their
ceaseless revolution. have measured the circuit
OF another year, and again we have assembled
to review our progress and the labors performed
during that period 1t is difficult 10 realize that
n year has passed since our last annual meeting,
flies rapidly, and we have only TO pause and re
fleet for moment to recall wildly to mind
those days, weeks and months that we have
spent on the road, the long and tedious drives
Trough the cold winds and rain during the will
and spring, the waiting for trains at depots
all hours Of the night, the stopping at little
,gy and filthy hotels that we cannot always
Did, the care ana anxiety with which we com
red each months business with the business
the corresponding month Of the previous
Dr., the deep soictnde with which we all
tehed the lingering. backward spring, hoping
day would bring change in the weather
more Favorable TO the planting and growing or
crops. In due time that change came, and in
place of cold, ineleDent days, there followed
warm sunshine and showers. Then with what
rapidity all the vegetation and grain grew!
The wheat crop, like magic, developing
fields, Tins inspiring new confidence
and activity in business and insuring plenty TO all
the industrious, and placing Indiana at the head
OF the list OF the great wheat-growing States of
the nation. We, as State association, may well
and Justly be rrond of Indiana, with her broad
and fieurishIng fields of wheat, corn and oats;
her meadows and pasture lands; her timber, her
rivers, her soil. her stone and coal beds, which
form that grand and harmonious combination of
all the elements Of natural wealth tuat 1nSUrns
the progress and happiness of people. Then.
her agricultural, mechanical and commercial in
terests have gone hand in hand with an integrity
and skill that will always insure success, and,
with her splendid free-school privileges and
grand railroad facilities, she ranks second to no
State in this Union. Indiana has at this time
permanent frre-school fnnd of over nine millions
of dollars, which cannot he diminished, but is
constantly increasing; and she has over five
thousand miles of railroad within her borders,
thus virtually converting the entire State into
familiar neighhOrhood, so that the most distant
point from the capital can be reached bv few
hours ride. When we come to note the develop
ments made in the direction of continued pro-
grees, we can then fully realize that year has
-rassed since our last annual meeting; that the
four SEASONS have come and gone, each
bearing its iu!l proportion of great oonse-
quences. I am truly glad that we, as
State association, representing the commercial
interests of our State, have one day set apart
each year to assemble at the capital free from
the cares and anxiettes of business, to devote
that day to our mutual interests and the eXchang-
ing of social greetings, There should be, and
feel that there is, strong tie of friendship and
symnathy existing between men OF our profess
sion ever where. We meet to-day as an assoei-
alton, not in sorrow, but in gladness OF heart,
realizing with a deem sense of gratitude those
hounties of an overIuling Providence which we
enjoy.
in numbers with the same determined zeal that
characterized 1t from the beginning; and, while
1t is true we have paid three death losses during
this year, that number equals three fonrths of
the entire number of our losses since our ergani-
cation But when we come to compare that num-
her with the average per cent. Of death losses as
given by the oldest amt most reliable insurance
companies fir this country and Europe, We find we
lava been peculiarly fortunate from the be-
ginning of our organization to the present.
In the place of three losses this year, in
an ordinary life company, with our pres,
from five to seven losses. That being true,
you may with proprinty inquire as to the cause
tempt an answer to that inquiry would say:
FIRST the special blessing of health has favored
us; second, the character OF our mem hership
secured by the cautious methods used In recruit
ing has had much to do with our success; and,
third, the judicions legislation governing our
association regards the habits and conduct OF
its membets in matters that wonld ieopardiZe
their health and render the risk hazardous. One
of the duties that calls us here to-day Ia to in
qulre If any additional legislation is necessary
Tor the further protection aud safety OF our asso
citation. We are all its guardians are all
mutually interested in it's growth and preserva-
tion-hence we must answer that inquiry for
ourselves
About three hundred years ago a new power
both political and social. dscOvered-the
power of the people. Up to that time It WAS sup
posed that the people were made for govern
ment, and that all political and suciai power
rested in the ruler The theory Of TO day in this
country is that all governments are made for
the people, and that in them lie the power, not
in the ruler or governor; and it is upon this
modern Interpretation of that grand principle
that this association was formed We are
purely a mutual association. every member
standing upon that broad and generous
platform of equality. feeling and fully realil
ing his own individual responsibility and pride
IN the good work that is before us: aud it is from
au appreciation of these facts that am especially
DESTROYS that our meeting to-day shall be char
acteriZed by fraternal unity, wise deliberation
and Increased fellowship.
The travelling mans glory, however small it
may be, lies not much in the things written and
said of aim as in the arduous duties performed
and the dangers and emergencies that he encOun-
tiers. Howfew people realize the true nature and
magnitude of our business or the important part
we perform In manipulating and carrying on all
the great commercial interests of this and other
countries. We are sometimes sneeringly called
runners, drummers. bummers and other names.
Bat 1t matters little to us as to the name, SO long
as 1t carries with 1t the proper respect due as
business men, and that depends alone on our
own inherent Self-respect and conduct In every
avocation of life pOliteness and genlilIty are
winning factors. Rude manners toward those
whom We come in contact with Is Il sure EVIL
dence of lgnoble origin anu lack of true cul-
tire. "Mauners," says Emerson, "have been
somewhat cyuically defined to he contrvance
on wise men 20 Keep foois at a distance" In the
economy of modern society, life is com
posed of little things, and he that is
best prepared TO exhibit ptopriety in minute
affairs will be generally hest fitted for the duties
of his station. These thoughts are brought to my
mind from the fact that now and then we come
In contact with men in business who are entirely
wanting in those finer qualities that are cnaTac-
teristic of true gentlemen. Is Is always inst
such men that cast h sur ami Stigma upon the
profession TO which they belong Occasionally
we meet a man oa the road. a salesman from
some house, who has disgusting, staggering
air and talks very loud; but am proud to saw
1t is the exception--while on the other hard, as
n rule, travelling men are affabe, courteous and
pleasing in their address to all with whom they
GENE in contact. II costs nothing to be a gentle.
man, and ii always brings a handsome return,
The salesman on the road is supposed TO repre-
sent the true character and standing OF the
house lie works for If he fails to represent il in
its best light he fails in mis- first duty and is an
true to himself. He is unworthy to he trusted
further with responsibility and honor. 1t is
gratifying to know that each year the business Of