Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-12
TIE cBAHBER OF COMMERCE.
Annual Msstius-Onieers Eieeted- Reports
OF the President and Treasurer Recons-
niendafion on the sabjeet or Hotel.

Annual Msstius-Ofieers Eieeted-Report'
OF the President and rreasarsr-Recors-
nendation on the sabject or Hotel.
The annual meeting Of the Chamber
Of Commerce was held yesterday eve
ming, E. o. Noting. Esq, in the chair.
President r. z. Blankenship was alb
sent in New York on important busi-
ness, but his annual repsrt was read by
the secretary, as follows
RICHMOND, VA, June IL. 1855.
Gentlemen,-WhenI / had the honor 70
address you Just one year ago the opinion
was common that In a few months The bnsi-
ness depression then covering ths whole
world would soon he removed and an era OF
activity and prosperity begun that would be
felt everywhere.
These pleasant hopes have not been real
lied, and We are to-day apparently no nearer
a business revival than IN June OF 1884. but
as values are nearer bedrock than ~ any
period in the memory OF the living genera
ton, II is but fair for MS all to expect re-
viYal OF business I'm the autumn and win
ter; and while 10 Is too early TO promise
much nom the growing crops. 10 Is also a
fact that the cotton crop IN well advanced
and the Indications OF an abundant yield
good.
past year have been restricted by the gene
raj duilneSs. but such matters as have re-
Quired attention nave been promptly and
carefully considered by the several COM
mittees TO which they were entrusted, and
IN most cases satisfactory results obtained.
The duilness In trade has severely him
dcTed the building OF the railroad connect
ing this city with North Carolina, and the
failure OF Congress 10 pass a general appro-
priation for rivers and harbors has put back
.Hf.T
year
The several railroads connecting on Byrd
Island have made Arrangements 20 build q
suitable depot for the passengers aud
freight. The plans are made for commo-
dlOuS and handsome buildings and grounds
that will be an ornament TO the city as well
as comfort TO all who have business with
the railroads. The great want OF Richmond
ls first-ciass hotel, properly located. This
want is felt in every trade. profession. and
by the businessman, the man OF lei
sure. and the invalid. Attention has
teen called 10 this want 50 often
that people may be tired Of hearing OF it.
but u Is nevertheless true that the growth
and prosperity % Our city is retarded. and
many people Of enterprise and wealth pre-
vented from visiting and soourning In our
city for want 0f such hotel accommodations
as are found IN nearly all parts OF this cOun-
try. Let rs determine that within year
~
insure the building and furnishing OF a
house that viii be q credit 20 this noOle and
historic city.
SotVi;hs'antlngt the hard times our city
couunUtSio receive the fostering care % IT.
people. Beautiful residences. substantial
Warehouses. and public buildings rapidly
increase % Numbers with each recurring
year. giving unimTeachAbic evidence Ol
The industry ana thrlft Ot our citizens
The members ~ th's Chamber have la
TOR
bat 70 is my duty 10 again urge each indi-
vidual member 10 use his influence 90 IN .
crease the mem ber.hip.
For eighteen years the Chamber Of Com =
meFce has been the recognized leader aud
responsible head ofevery Increment for the
commercial and material advancement %
the Interests of the citizens of kichmon .
and for such good reasons every man Oi
business and every large property-owner
should be on is rOil Of membership.
Referring you 10 the report Of the secre-
tary for details Of operations for the past
year and 20 that OF tho treasurer for our
financial condition. ! am, very truly yours,
K. r. BLASKENsHIP, President.
The report was received and ordered
TO be filed.
FINANCIAL.
The report OF the treasurer, j. II.
Montague. Esq, was read, showing
that after meeting all the current ex-
penses and paying for fitting up the
new rooms there is balance in hand
of s5S5.20 Referred TO Finance Com
mittee.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The following officers were elected /:
President. r. f. Blankenship First
Vice-President, Thomas Potts Second
yice-PreSident, George A. Ainslie /;
Treasurer, J. II. Montague Secretary,
W. d. Chesterman. Directors James
II. Blair, Robert S. Bosher, George L..
Christian. John 5. Elicit. George Glib
son. Jr.. Gus. Millhiser, Ashton
Starke, Henry Bodeker, Z. F. VIII
liams. T. 4. Catlin, o. L. Co.trell, w.
VI. Archer. $. II. iIawes, J, II. Witty,
F. Z. Patrick. and George D. Thaxton.
Mr. James Z. Dieiienderfer was
oiac,ei n tnernber of the Chamber