Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-05-26

THE BOARD OF TRADE REVIvAL.

Prohibition state, Toiedo, MAY S4.p. "a
Prohibition national. Indianapolis. May 80
THE BOARD OF TRADE REVIvAL.
A goodly number of the representative
citizens of Springfield gathered in G. A. r.
hall Friday night to put life and vigor into
the board Of trade movement. Msnufac-
turers, merchants, professional men, book
keepers. clerks and workingmen-men Of
all reputable and useful classes and stand
ing in the front rank of these several
classes-were present in force, and the
spirit and action of the meeting were prom
ising and prophetic of the success of the
enterprise which the meeting was intended
10 promote. Several very good and solid
addresses were made-none better, how
ever, than those made by +. III. Hagsn,
ESQ.,, and Mr.. Amos Whitley. The last
named gentleman struck popular chord
when he enforced the fact of our need Of
terminal facilities for our local railways,
and set forth the advantages and imminent
need of a belt railway, which would not
simply give our merchants and manufsc-
turers pre-eminent freighting advantages,
but would afford In our suburbs very ad-
yantageous sites for new manufacturing
establishments.
Then the appearance on the platform of
such men as the veteran Abram r. Lud-
low, Mr.. W. 8. Thomas. Mr.. Robert
johnson, Mr.. Hagan, Mr.. Whitley
and other men Of different and widely
dlverging political and religious faiths
all inspired by q common and fraternal
feeling and purpose to talk and work in a
movement for the building up of the mater
ial and several interests Of the city-was a
most Significant and encouraging feature.
The idea of booming the city was re-
jected and denounced by nearly all the
speakers. 1t was the purpose of the move
ment from the first to procure unity Of ac-
ton on the part Of all citizens In securing
for the business fraternity Of the city, In
all Its departments, the best possible facili-
ties for the carrying on Of all local enter
prises and industries to the best possible
advantage to each Individual and to the en-
tire body of business men, and it was not
the purpose of any one connected with the
movement to enrich spectators by getting
up spasmodic demand for town lots.
Steady growth in wholesome and useful
lines, and not fever of speculation, was
the end sought In this movement, which
had its beginning over year ago.
The spirit of the meeting was excellent
good natured, fraternal, aggressive. Mr..
Hagan, Oscar T. Martin, ESQ.,, and others
struck and played on the keynote when |
they urged those present to get down
to business at once and sign the |
and then that q robust and |
energetic committee should be named to |
solicit our citizens, at their place Of busi-
ness, to enroll their names as members of |
the proposed organization.
When a reasonable number of names |
have been secured, the trustees appointed |
by the original incorporators will provide, |
in the only legal way, for an election Of a
board of trustees, who will, when sworn,
proceed to organize BY electing president,
and treasurer, and we feel fully |
justified In saying that the members of the
present board are not candidates for elec-
tion.
Northumberland scores Of them-have,
in the last thirty years, done very much,
each In his own way, to build up the inter-
ests of the city, but 1t will be readily con-
ceded that if, In the early days of our
growth as a town, all these enterprising
gentlemen had been organized into a board
of trade with other citizens. in a frsternal,
cooperative spirit, much more might have
been done and some serious mistakes might
have been avoided.
Mr.. Amos Whitley made a remark that
struck the popular heart. e.
that he had, now, more faith in the city
than he had cherished at any previous
time. This came from a gentleman of
great personal force and of a remarkable
degree of push and enterprise, but who is,
at the same time that this is true,
q man Of great caution and delib-
eration-a man who weighs his
words well and is fully aware of their
probable force and effect. And the truth
Of the utterance is apparent. Never at any
previous time have we had SO many public
enterprises on foot as are now being pros
ecuted. We are to have one Of the finest
and most extensive city buildings in Ohio;
we are to have government building of
most comely appearance and of liberal
and we are to have public
library building which Is not only to be an
artistic and architectural ornament
but commodious home for our most use
full popular educational feature, the public
library. At the same time, we are to have
erected this season q larger number
of fine business blocks than have
been built in any previous year
Tor long time. Then our great fac
,ories- smaller ones-running up In
number well on toward hundred-are all
N good condition, and many of them are