The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-10-23
Come of there Romeo,

iAllAu VI Sill IAtr. NtlCD III iDOkrs
sharp misery had worn him 10 the bones;
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung"
Come of there Romeo,
The man you seek. the outfit ron portray
May once have been, but they have had their day,
The times are greatly changed since thou. poor elf,
Went forth TO buy cold poison for myself.
Three hundred years and more have passed away;
Behold the 'pothecary Of to-day!
Handsome, we'll fed, well dressed, to the
number of two hundred and fifty or more.
the wholesale druggists of the United
States. organized as the National Wholesale
Druggists Association, gatheredin Pfaffiin's
Hall yesterday forenoon at IL o'clock.
They were called to order by the president.
George A. Kelley. of Pittsburg. at whose
left hand sat the secretary. A. Il. Mer-
riam, of Minneapolis. Daniel Stewart. of
this city. made a brief but graceful speech,
welcoming the visitors to Indianapolis,
to which reply was made by Arthur Peter.
of Louisville. The States represented in
the opening session were Virginia, Kansas,
Connecticut, Michigan, Kentucky, New
York. Missouri, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Tennessee. Indiana and Louisiana,
but more States will be represented in to-
days meeting. as all the delegates have
not yet arrived. Mr.. Bigelow, of Lowell.
Mass, representing the Proprietary Asso-
citation, addressed tho convention, Mr..
Lord, of Chicago, and Mr.. Henry. of New
York. responding This concluded the
morning session.
Business was resumed at 8 o'clock in the
afternoon. when President Kelley raped
upon the table. and. with a twinkle in his
eye. remarked: Gentlemen, you will now
receive the regular annual infilctiOn-the
presidents address," He then spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen OF the Conventlon-There are eras
IN the history OF nations, individuals. associa-
fi01e, which are or pronounced and special IN
terest. The revolution or time has brought us to
such an era in the history OF the y. W. d.. A. To-
day we assemble for the secoId the in this city,
where thirteen years ago our ASSOCIATION was so
auspiciously ushered into being The growing
desire that more united and honorable methods
might supersede the unmercansile and selfish
trend Of business life, growing out OF excessive
competition and non-appreciation OF the high
standard Of intellect and integrity which should
characterize the wholesale drug trade of our
country, here materialized, and to-day at our
fifteenth annual assembly We cannot repress
emotions or pride and satisfaction at the result.
To-day we meet in the capital city OF this goodly
state, in itself typical OF the prosperity and
progress always assured by an under strata Of
SION executed in 1884. yielding this ground TO
the Union of states, among other requirements,
demanded that religion, morality and knowl
edge being necessary to good government and
happiness. schools and all means of education
shall be forever encouraged" The foundation
being 80 laid. shall we be surprised at the super
structure!
And yet. looking out upon this city. with its
large and growing manufacturing and agricuit-
ural interests, its s~tupendous railroad systems.
the geographical position making IL q gateway
to the great world west OF US, the cOnntry's
growth seems magical. In view of the magnin-
cent benevolent and charitable Institutions. the
refined and elegant homes, the imposing Capitol
building in this city, whose hospitality Is so pro-
InuAfU 4rH nfUnu M - - y . 1rR
ficult TO believe that the site of this city, four
square miles OF public lands. presented by Con-
1920 the midst OF an unbroken forest. sixty
miles from the borders of civilization, and
reached only by Indian trails We rejoice in a
blrthright IN a country where such progress Is
possible, and congratulate this association and
the United States that Indianapolis has given TO
the department of business, so closely allied to
health and happiness, the Western and National
Wholesale Drug Association. and also TO the
country our honored President. Benjamin Har-
ris0n.
While q review of the history of the association
might here. and at this time. be thought appro-
PIRATE and interesting. yet / feel that 1t would
consume valuable time better devoted to the dis
cussion of the various questions Of prac-
teal value embraced in the reports of our
committees. May we not, indeed. congratulate
ourselves upon the progress made in the accom-
p,ishment OF the purposes OF the association
Our organization found the trade distracted and
divided by local and sectional jealousies. and in
awhirl cf destructive competition. To-day this
large body of gentlemen. representing the whole
sale drug trade OF every section OF our land, il
an evidence OF mutual good VIII and unity OF
purpose TO encourage and permanently estab-
lish sound mercantile principles III the conduct
of our business.
TO give our grateful appreciation as prime NOV
ers In these first steps (which cost" and also for
the framing of the preamble to our constitution,
which SO felicitously sets forth the aims and OBJ
jects of our association. Yet we come back to
this city as one comes to a birthplace, with pleas
ant memories of the generous hospitality and
the truly fraternal spirit OF the brethren here,
and their hearty cooperation In our efforts to
devise measures for the rescue of our business
from impending ruin, and TO place IT upon an
honorable and remuneratiye basis. 1t was here
that Ideas before vague and underlined crystal
be desired to a living. active body. the western
Wholesale Drug Association entered upon its
mission of reform. under the leadership of Mr..
James Richardson, OF St Louis tthe Old Roman),
TO whose sagacity and sound Judgment SO much
of our success is due.
i congratulate you on this large assemblage OF
the wholesale drug and kindred trades, and the
presence of delegates from the Nationala and State
Pharmaceutical Association. with whom frater-
nal relations have been so pleasantly and firmly
established. and OF whose cooperation we feel
assured They are always most heartily wei
come at our business meetings and entertain
sions of fraternal sympathy and confidence.
These Official and personal greetings are not only
q charming feature of our meetings. bat. very
helpful In the accomplishment OF the original
purposes OF our association. L congratulate you
upon the harmony and good-fellowship existing
III u OWL bOuy. ana IDE III tudt prOkFeSS that
springs from honorable union. | congratulate
you upon what We have thus far accomplished
by associated action; but We all agree that there
Is yet much before MS. and recognize the fact
that we have enlisted for life" IN the good work
OF reform. and that our efforts must be persist
emit. not only To make steady progress, but also To
render permanent that which has already been
gained Owing To the sharpness or competition.
due IN a large measure TO underlined terri
torial lines. misunderstanding frequently
arise. suspicious are engenderec. and a
restlessness il evinced. that threatens a
renewal of h0stiliues and n consequent
retrograde movement. The necessity for each
member to manifest an active interest ia the
work Of the association 10 clearly apparent. and
this interest can lie maintained only by presence
at all meetings and hearty cooperation ia every
effort for the betterment OF our business. That
apathy or Indifference on the part Of any will
cripple the influence and usefulness of the whole,
goes without saying
So far as / have been able TO learn, business
during the past year has been prosperous. The
volume OF sales has increased. collections have
not been difficult. and loss from bad accounts
below the average. In general pronts have
been fairly remunerative, although complaints
are made or the increasing cost OF conducting
business, and a lively existence OF some unmer-
camille practices not yet eliminated, among
which are free containers, free box ana carriage,
the sale of staples ut or about cost, and equal
a business which requires. on account of It's de.
tall and responsible nature. n large number OF
skilled assistants. must always stand above the
average. Yet. IL Is undoubtedly true that In the
present strife for trade much unwise and unnec'
ossary expense rs incurred. The remedy for
these evils II In orr own hands. Ia Is the mis-
sion or this association 10 place our business
YHan q = ~ a4r - -A~.nk ...1f