St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-07

WIlSkerS ana an al l.. r. GORHAM.
most subdued expression that indicated
some hidden sorrow, delivered the fol-
lowing address to
THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS
"YOur Honor and Gentlemen: The
commercial traveller is the offspring of
the evolution of ideas in commerce. He
occupies with graceful hauteur posi-
ton in the universe around which re-
volve the consultations of finance. The
starters in the race for gold wait for
him to give the word. Ahem, how's
this for starter? Applause and cries
of $50 ahead
1.-The speed at which the world moves,
the quality and degree of its success,
depends upon his diligence. In these
days of arbitration and highly developed
diplomatic service, there is no more
striking example of the success of the
system than is furnished by the uprece-
dented growth of the fraternity of COM
merclal travellers during the quarter of
century that has elapsed since its in
ception. Doubtless large majority of
the ableSt diplomats of the age have
stood without recognition in the ranks
of the commercial traveller. They have
been men, too, who, their patriotism
stimulated by proper pecuniary COM
sideration, would jOyfully have sacri-
feed themselves by cOnSenting to adorn
this department of their cOuntry's ser
vice. When such condition of affairs
as this is possible of existence it indi-
Gates some radical defect in the civil
service. But, gentlemen, the day star
of hope is visible in the horizon, our
deliverer is at hand. We have with us
tonight, as one of our most hOnored
guests, statesman of no small caliber
and influence, who, doubtless, having
now had this matter properly presented
to him, will desire no greater boon than
the privilege of deYoting what remains
to him of well-Spent life to the achieve
ment of so lofty an ambition as that of
securing to every commercial traveller
due recognition of his talents at the
hands of the general government.
standing sentinal-like upon the high
way of progress, the commercial traveller
makes the era when the droneS of the
past were succeeded by the rustlers of
the present; the pathway behind him,
as far into the past as history enables
us TO discern, is thickly strewn with the
empty shells Of the birds of genius who
are now soaring into the realms of dis
cOvery, delving into the debris of time,
aud the accumulation of exploded
theories i'll conscientious search for
grains of truth, or wandering, grip in
majesty. the storm king, in a more or
less successful endeavOr to razZle dazzle
the unsuspecting granger merchant.
Irumultuous applause. Since our emf
nent brother De Laittre crossed the rag
ing st. Anthony in a dugout in 81, the
fraternity has grown from three or four
pioneers to an army exceeding 1000 men
representing mercantile interest located
north of Chicago; since that many
changes have been wrought touching
matters of vital import to the CONNER
ciaI traveller. but gentlemen, as hereto
fore, jacks or better are still necessary
to the successful opening of '.jack
pot" Crles of you're all right."]
1.-THE commercial traveller is one of the
most conspicuous and important feat
ures of the advancement of the century.
Conspicuous because omnipresent and
so entirely cosmopolitan; important be-
cause he furnishes so large proportion
of the railway and hotel patronage of
the country; conspicuous because ev-
erywhere heard; important because ev-
erywhere felt; conspicuous because he
roams the country with an air of holding
letters patent to no small portion OF it;