Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-02-17
LOCAL.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Stanton Chamber of Commerce
held it's annual meeting on Tuesday even-
ing last Mr.. John W. Todd presided.
The following tribute of respect to the
memory of William E. Fletcher, Manager
of the New York Produce Exchange and
firm friend of the Stanton Chamber,
was offered by the Secretary, Col. J. q.
Shields, and adopted:
When this Chamber of Commerce or
ganized three years ago, among the duties en-
Joined upon its Secretary was that of placing
it in the friendly and cultured relations which
exist between institutions of this character.
One of the first to receive and to respond to
this exchange of civilities, was the New York
Produce Exchange through its accomplish ed
Manager, MI. William E. Fletcher, who, on
oil proper occasions, continued the relations
SO pleasantly inaugurated. Among the con-
tributions made to our Chamber through his
fundamentally are some of the most valuable
books which its library contains.
Intelligence has been received of Mr.. Fetch
er's death, which occurred at his residence in
Brooklyn, New York, on the 29th of January,
aged 80 years. lie had served the Exchange
in responsible positions for nearly twenty-five
years, commencing with that of clerk and
reaching the distinguished Office of Manager.
The high appreciation of his services and
character expressed by the Exchange places
his memory in an eminent position.
Of fIa 40 old WI oh he
rendered this Chamber of Commerce, be it
Resolced, That whilst we had not the priEi
lege of a personal acquaintance with him, we
deem it our duty to express in this manner
our high estimate of his character, and to re-
cord the evidence of the deep sorrow with
which we realize his death.
ResoIoed, That the Secretary be directed to
forward copy of these proceedings to the
family of the deceased and to the New York
Produce Exchange.
Col. J. c. Shields, Secretary of the
Chamber, made his annual report of its
affairs. The statement of the finances of
the body show that the revenue more than
equals the expenses. The Secretary renew
ed his recommendation in his former an
nual report, for providing sufficient room
and cases in which to place the library he
has been accum ulating since the organiza-
ton of the Chamber. The library already
contains many rare and excellent books
and if continued in the collections on the
basis of the past, will furnish the Cham
Der with standard works not generally at
the convenience of the public. The design
is to place the library in the Council
chamber and the charter provides for its
protection by the City Council, should
there ever be a lapse in the active or regI-
lar existence of the Chamber of Com
meree. This is done to preserve it from
all contingencies, for there are presidents
in the history Of such organizations where
much valuable labor and its results for
future use have been lost through the fail
lure of continuous existence. There is
no such apprehension in the case of the
Staunton Chamber of Commerce, but at
the same time the forethought is proper
one and the city will in all the future
have reason to appreciate the wisdom and
policy of the founders of this valuable in
stitution.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The following officers of the Chamber
were elected for the ensuing year:
A. G. Gordon, President; Henry
Hutchinson, 1st Vice President; Alexan-
der Hart, 2nd Vice President; J. G.
Shields. Secretary.
Directors-Isaac Witt. M. n. Bradley
nj. B. Hamrick, Reeves Gait. Charles A.
Gladke. John W. Todd, J. A. Hanger
and W. A. Burke.
The only new officers elected are the
last four of the Directors named-Messrs
Gladke, Todd, Hanger, and Burke.
Mr. Gordon In taking the chair made
some earnest and practical remarks or
the motives which led to the formation Of
the chamber and which enlist the Interest
of the business community in its behalf
The continuous and uEfagging interes
Mr.. Gordon has manifested in the object
of the Chamber gave his associates yer.
high opinion of bis capacity to assume tn
responsibilities of the chief executive of
fee. He is a man of original thought ant
will develop policies keeping the Chambe
abreast of the times. TIE result will be t.
inform the people OF the excellent oppor
tunities Staunton has for great progress
in material development and the continu
ance of efforts to increase the resource
of the city and It's tributary country.
After appointing the President. Direc
tor Bradley and Secretary Shields com
mittee to revise the bylaws and other re
cords of the Chamber. with view to pre-
serving theGi in pamphlet form, the Cham
Der adjourned.