Wichita eagle., 1888-01-22
PRESIDENT DIVERS ADDRESS

The address of President A. w. Oliver
TO the Wichita Board Of Trade at the an
nual meeting of that body Thursday
evening, contained some inaccuracies.
as it appeared in the EAGLE Friday
morning, that destroyed the effect of
some Of its strongest points, and being
too valuable paper TO be thus virtually
lost 10 the many thousands of our read
ers away from the city we republish it
herewith corrected and as it should have
appeared at first:
To The Members of the Board OF Trade.
GENTLEMEN;-On the 10Th OF April, 1887,
a reorganization OF the board of trade was
effected on the 23rd of April, the officers
were elected. the different committees APP
pointed, and the board prepared to com
mence active work. Wichita then had 80,
900 people, during the previous six months,
she had enjoyed unparalleled prosperity,
SIG, O00,000 TO $4,000, 900 OF real estate
Of business was flourishing. The pre-
vious year our ctyhad increased
in population 12,00). Notwithstand
ing this satisfactory condition of
affairs it was deemed eXpedient to organize.
The wisdom of this measure. we think has
been demonstrated to every member OF this
board, and to Il large majority of the citi-
zens OF Wichita. Wichita then stood at
the very head of all the cities of Kansas,
commercially, and in population. She was
becoming known throughout the country
lis one of the coming cities of the west.
The only question the most prudent and
conservative stranger could ASK
was, what have you to sup
port a large populations? and call
attention to our lack of manufactures.
Acting upon this suggestion the board
Went to work; the whole city became en-
Unused, and the result is that in eight
months Wichita gained more manufactur
ing interests III numberand in the amount
OF capital stock ever before gained
by any city of her size in the same
length of time. This is possible, and
only SO, when an organized effort is backed
up by the people. as this board has been
during the past year. In keeping with the
above statement we refer with pride to the
amount Of money expended in buildings
in our city during the past year, which in
proportion to our population is not equalcd
by any city in the country. Nearly SO,
600, 900 wa, expended in fine homes. hand
some business houses and educational
structures. The year 1887 has been a
SItitti one lOI Guy. VIC al IttllLt
that the foundation is laid for Il
large city here, but we must
not delude ourselves with the
thought that our work has ended and that
the future Will take care OF itself. On the
contrary. that degree of orr continued
success depends upon the effort we put
forth. Favored as Wichita is in having 50
many progressive, energetic and liberal
citizens. it only requires that they organize
and work lnitpGIV
measure they may undertake. In this
connection | want TO say that this organ
iZation is not near large enough We
ought to have 300 members, and when we
get into our new quarters, which will be a
credit to any city. | hope there will he such
an interest taken that the business men of
Wichita will feel it incumbent upon them
to become members of this board.
The committees deserve the highest
praise for the faithful work they have
done. The manufacturing committee has
been haTd-wOrking one. and so Jealous
have the members been that in some in
stances they have subscribed the stock or
paid the bonus themselves TO secure an in
,luStry they thought We needed In the mat
ter o. railroads. the Chicago, Kansas *
Nebraska built into and through our city
during the year. and the Midland built
from Wichita to Ellsworth. thus adding
very materially TO our shipping facilities
The transportation committee have at all
times kept our Importance as Il shipping
point before the different roads and &C
complished as much as was possible under
the existing laws governing railroads.
The advertising committee point with
pride to the fact that Wichita is the best
adyer, iSed city of her size in the country
The immigration committee claim TO be
responsible for the large increase in our
population. The Legislative committee
have taken care of the business that came
before them in commendable manner.
The pork packing committee thought they
would have an easy time and commenced
by having one man do all the work and
ended by having nearly every able-bodied
man in town working on their committee
In conclusion. desire TO thank all those
who have in any manner assisted in the
work OF this board.