The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-13
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
PRESIDENT JOHN 3. PURCELL RE
ELECTED.

Address by Mr.. Lamb
One Of the best attended annual meetings
of the Chamber Of Commerce was held last
evening at q O'Clock, President John w.
Purcell in the chair. The officers were all
reelected. the constitutional changes made
in the board Of directors, and most crafty
ing reports made by the officers.
PRESIDENT rURCELl's REFORM
when the minutes Of the last annual
meeting had been approved the president
read his annual report. As VIII DC sccu' u
was replcte with most encouraging e'"''
ments as TO the condition OF the business OF
the city, and alec indicated that tne 'hall,
her was In most Hourishing condition and
was doing most valuable work. II was also
n document fall oi the wisest and most prac-
tical sugvps,ions. such rs might have
been expected IT, cmana,c from him. and
can be studied with the utmost advantage
by all business men aud wcll-wishers OF the
cify's interest.
cen,,cmcn.-T This Chamber has closed It's
:wentv-fhird year. and u S "a source OF SIN
cere congfatulation that We aic enabicd 10
chronicle for 70 and our CIT! year Oh great
progress and usefulness.
The wotk of the Chamber has been large
and varied, aud but few of oar fellow citizens
realize how much u done ny II. Inc com
mittccs are constantly AZ work, ana take
pleasure In bearing testimony 90 the alacritN
and intelligence with which they nave us
charged their several duties.
I regret 10 have 10 record the dcath OF our
late president, MIR. George a AinShe.
The Chamber I'm special meeting mas placed
upon its minutes suitable resolutions Of re.
spec; and sympathy for This earnest and
faithful officer and gentleman. under whose
management ouf membership was so gfeatiN
I.xs. al m
Chamber, now adorns our walls, a pleasant
reminder Of his genial nature.
coSnfrIoS or THE CHAMBER.
Ashis successor | bear cheerful testimony
20 the good condition of The Chamber when
Z found when took charge Of Us affairs
turing the past year the Chamber deter
mined upon employing u secretary, whose
whole time might be devoted TO MS interests,
and while we all regretted the inability Oi
our former secretary, Mr. W. u. CheScrman
10 accept the place, we have been fortunate
in securing Mr.. X. A. Dunlap. whose long
service In the Chamber as director and
vice president has eminchtly qualified hini
for tire position, bringing 10 the Office iull
knowledge of the needs OF our community
lie has proven a most valuable aud 'ntelli-
gent officer.
The statistics collatcd by the Dispatch
newspaper and published in their first OF
January issue show such a large and varied
increase In every department OF trade and
manufactures to warrant us In most hope
full view of the future. and should give en-
couragement TO all who are working for the
material prosperity Of this city.
The increase in manufactures is especially
gratifying. as evidencing the capabilities OF
our city In this direction and the few failures
among cur manufacturers should encourage
the investment of capital by our own people
in this city. THE returns therefrom are more
certain and equally as large as could be had
elsewhere.
I trust that our committee on manufac
lures will give the subject their earnest at
tention during the coming year, ana en-
deavOr TO increase the number of establish
ments.
HOMES FOR MECHANICS.
In this connection would call attention to
the great scarcely of suitable houses for me
chanics
We need greater numbers of them at lower
rents. that we may offer an equal induce
nent with other cities in this respect
The Chamber has had under consideration,
among other subjects. the lettering OF our
mail and passenger facilities over The differ
ent railroads. obtaining options for manu-
featuring sites; deepening and widening Tire
channel of the river, the development of oui
water-power and settling The differences OF
riparian owners. consideration of the TOrrey
bankrupt blll--a bill 10. the better collection
Of debts. an effort 10 reduce the insurance
rates on buildings, &c, procuring lower rates
for travelling statesmen, tickets and rleepers
10 New York, the pilotage laws OF Virginia
and express charges on collections. Many OF
these subjects have been successfully termi-
mated ana the others VIII be prosecuted con-
tinually uutil relief is granted or accomplish
ed, for the details of which / refer you 10 The
report Of the secretary.
NEW BOARD.
During the wear the Chamber wisely deter
mined To increase the number of the Board
of Directors and-th size OF the committees.
This has resulted in an increased interest in
the work OF the Chamber. witch is manifest
al by larger attendance nj the board meet
ings. and the increase of the cOmmitte ON
island trade and its subdivision into small
committees for each railroad has lightened
the burden on that committee aud made il
more useful and efiicaciOus than at any time
in the history Of our Chamber
Too much praise cannot be awarded To Nj
=. W. Travers and his efficient cO-wOrkerS on
this committee. Always Overbu cdencd with
work. they have successfully accomplished
this year many needed reforms in our inland
transportation.
ADVANCES or THE YEAR.
We have every reason to be proud of the
advances made during the past year. our real
estate has steadily Increased I'm value from
prices of year ago, Notwithstanding efforts
made TO decry what was characterized as all
surdly high.
IL Is confidently expected that the assess
ment now going on will show an increase In
taxable values that viii warrant the expen-
diture 10y our city Council OF "A sum sufficient
w pl'gttA Vut stIttle lnlO Tue SuuuibS. anu
extend or sewers, water, and gas-pipes. and
thus keep in advance of the progress which
- being made ia building.
BUILDINGS.
| take pleasure I'm endorsing the recon-
mendation of my predecessor for an N spec
Tor of buildings, and particularly that ht
should have supervision OF proper sanitary
arrangements. of plumbing, &c.
a committee of the Chamber Is al work OF
the much desired subject OF obtaining a
building OF our own for the use of the Cham
Der, and a fund IL being set aside for this pur.
pose each year. Our revenue is Inadequate tC
the demands We have made upon us, and II
beho0ves us 10 recognize the fact that the
expenditure OF money IL necessity To carry
ont the object of our association. Our due,
are very small. and we should consider very
carefully the question Of increasing them
Ours Ia the central organization Of the trades
of the city, and upon us ali eyes rest TO do the
hospitahle as well as the work which shal
advance the ge neral commercial interests o.
our city. For this purpose II Is necessary L
expend our money. and the past year has
made severalteavy drafts upon our treasury
1 refer TO the report o! our worthy treasurer
who has served us so long and SO well, anC
whose only complaint Is that the Financ,
Committee viii not examine his accounts.
OUR ENTERPRISE.
The enterprise and industry displayed 10y
our manufacturers and merchants is To b,
com nended by all. and IL Is slightly discour
dkluk W liitii At lllutr ~ Stt tue ditClltN
with which some OF our fellow citizens rusl
into print 10 publish and magnify ever,
shortcoming of our city. ii Is 10 be regretted
that many OF these could not be prevaile,
upon 10 use their talents In building up IN,
city than thus endeavoring 10 pull down
what others havedOne.
respectfully call your attention TO the adj
mirnble move made by the committee o
which Mr.. Il. + johnson Is chairman, toward
having monthly meetings OF our.citizens TO-
Interchange OF views. The first of the series
was held at the Hall Of the Young Mems
June 18th. PROFESSIONALLY good results mus
follow, and hope II will be the pleasure OF
the members 10 do all In their power TO max,
these meetings successful In every way.
RICHMOND AS SHE IS.
With every natural advantage that coulC
be desired, with an historic interest un
eQualied by any city of this country. a socia
life unsurpassed. healthy and salubriou
climate. "a municipal government of which
we may well be proud, low taxes, unsur
passed railroad facilities, proximity 10 The
most fertile and Richest sections OF III,
South all these and many others cOmbln,
TO present 20 the investor "a Held which, /
properly presented, will induce immigration
and build up our city; but we must make the
world know IL. The individual efforts OF oul
enterprising citizens can do but little, bu
the combined efforts of all Will certainly ac
complish great deal. Let rs. thea, co-ope
rate-large and small doing each his part
and We shall see that by unity of action W,
can place our city. as 10 deserves TO be, IN
the front rank of the progressive cities of the