Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-01-09

Chamber would have done without a
man OF his ability in the office, confess
l am ct a loss to conjecture. / wish to
testify to the cordial relations that have
always existed between us, never for a
moment ruffied to my knowledge, and
TO his earnest cooperation in such meas
ures Tor The good Of the organization and
the community as havs been able to
suggest.
L wish to express hearty regret that
circumstances could not have so com.
bined as to make it to his advantage to
accept the Secretaryship for a. least an
| other year, both for personal reasons and
because think that with his assistance
in that office this Chamber of Commerce
could within year enlist the co0pera-
ton OF every citizen with q grain of pub
lie spirit in his composition, and be
made 8 power capable of controlling the
commercial destiny of Southern Cali
fcrnia.
Judge Fitzgerald, in behalf of the
committee appointed for the purpose,
presented the following resolution with
regard to the resignation of the Secre-
tary:
WHEREAS, The Secretary of the Cham.
Der, Mr.. NJ. R. Higgins, has been ten
dered and has accepted far more lucra-
| tive office, and severed his official con.
nection with this body; and
| WHEREAS, The office of Secretary Of
the Chamber is one of difficult, compli-
Gated and incessant labor, and which
requires, for the fullest efficiency, versa
tile and large ability, unfagging energy
and a genial disposition, and is, in fact,
an Office the able conduct of which is
vital to the existence of the Chamber; 4;
and
WHEREAS, Mr.. Higgins has shown
himself possessed of all these qualities in
the highest degree, and, with all due
recognition Of the services of the other
officers, has been formidable factor in
the building up Of the organization and
the work it has been engaged in for the
benefit of this community, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Chamber views with
deep regret his retirement. and feels that
his Office will be most difficult to refill,
while it at the same time rejoices in this
good fortune which has come TO him, and
wishes him continued increase Of pros
perity.
Resolved, That these resolutions shall
be spread upon the minutes of the
Chamber.
Mr.. Higgins thereupon drew roll OF
paper from his pocket and read the fol-
lowing speech:
| Having had due and timely notice
through the daily papers this morning
that was to be the recipient of testi-
monial and set of resolutions, have
hastily prepared, with the aid of few
| friends, these impromptu remarks, ,whic
| will, after the manner Of impromptu
speeches on similar occasions, proceed to
infiict on you. Had l had longer notice
and more friends, think I could have
made the greatest effort of my life. AS
it is, have only time to say that ap-
preciate very highly the resolutions 1
know the able committee has prepared,
and the testimonial you have already
placed in the front room, where / have
examined and approved the same at my
leisure. More than either of these, how
ever, do l appreciate the spirit which
prompted either or both. Coming from
those who have had daily relations with
me, and are the best judges of what has
been done and could be done
with the resources at our command,
lit is very gratifying. A pioneers
lot, as rule, is not a happy
one. Our experience in organizing ~and
building up this Chamber has been no
exception to the rule, as our lot has not
at all times been happy. The knowledge
that we were doing all that we could
with our resources has oftentimea been
the only reward we have had, and such
rewards, under stinging and unjust criti-
cisme, are frequently very bitterly ac.
cepted. However, the outcome has
been gratifying, and the Chamber Of
Commerce, in my opinion, can go for
ward and be power in the land for the
advancement Of the material interests OF
this country.
In parting with you as your Secretary,
l have only the kindest recolle ctioDs for
each and every member. Many have,
during the past year, recognized the good
intentions as manifested in our efforts,
and have spoken kindly, cheering words
which have been cherished by the re.
ceiver and have aided materially to
tighten the load which sometimes
seemed little burdensome. To all such
I want to say: "Do the same with my
successor, whoever be may be, with this
addition-aid him to the extent of your
power and position by active cooperation.
| have failed only in one particular, in
accomplishing. what l started out to do
personally of those things that were in
sight. That is, l have not liquidated all
our obligations. About 500 still re-
mains unpaid, and today it hangs over
me as weight feel l ought TO have
lifted. But the general work grew SO
! rapidly and absorbed SO much of nv.
time that could not solicit new mem
bers the last few months as l
did the first two or three.
With this exception am quite we'll sat
iehed 70 turn over the Office and pro-
nounce it in excellent condition for good
work. l am proud to say that the affairs
OF this organic alton have at ell times
been carried on on broad basis
and have been open to the criticism of
) the entire community. There have baen
no jobs, no railroading, no schemes for
advancing private interests, and the
future prosperity of this Chamber is we'll
assured, if this course is persistently fol.
lowed
Il The membership roll should be much
larger. Those who have been watching
and waiting to see the organization col
lapse ought now, at least, to be convinced
that the inotitution is ON sound basis
and ID worthy of their support. The
officers of the Chamber ard the Board of
Directors have been faithful to YOUR
interests, and are deserving Of
your kindeet regards. They have
spent much time in your
interests to the neglect of their own al
falrs., 10 each of them personally owe