St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-28
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
No Winter Carnival for Diversion,
but Great Objects to Subserve.


Gentlemen of the Convention: 1t af-
fords me great pleasure as the repre-
sentative of the Contractors and Build
ers' Board of Trade of st. Paul, to add,
Oh its behalf, word of welcome to
those already extended by orr worthy
mayor. Gentlemen. we trust that your
short stay with us may prove both pleas
ant and profitable. In the matter of
your social entertainment, feeling our
utter Inability to offer such a varied and
brilliant programme as that presented
to previous conventions by the eX-
changes of larger and older cities,
we were well content to show
association by acting in accordance
with the recommendations OF its eXecu-
tive committee on this subject, but we
did think we held in the winter carnival
a trump card, to which even the most
eXacting economist could not object;
but we regret to say that the powers
that be, represented by the chief signal
officer at Washington, were too strong
for us, in that for two winters past they
have secured an extra supply of subter-
ranean or other fuel, and so changed
our heretofore cold and bracing climate
that thenceforth st. Paul and Minneap-
Ollo CbAC W OO hhOnh h1bIO1 70
for biZZard-stricken New York,
or the cyclone and Storm-swept
plains of Texas, Missouri, etc. APP
plause.l We are pleased to see gath
cred here many gentlemen who, repre-
senting their exchanges at previous con-
tions, have learned to kuoW,to trust and
to believe in the earnest purpose, desire
and ability of each to legislate intelli-
gently for the upbuilding and improve
ment of, especially, all concerned,
whether as employer or manual work.
man, in the erection and construction
of buildings throughout the United
States.
We also loudly welcome other repre-
sentatives of affiliated bodies, whom we
meet this morning for the first time in
convention assembled, and trust that
the acquaintance thus formed may prove
both pleasant and valuable. But we
feel that we have especial cause for
congratulation in the evidence that the
influence of this organization for good
is spreading to and permeating every
important point in this broad land of
ours, afforded by the presence here of
delegates from the local exchanges of
some six or eight cities, which ex-
changes are either newly formed or
have not heretofore affiliated with this
body.
AS your presiding officer, it is not my
purpose to touch in any degree upon
the report of our secretary, which he
will read to you at later hour; hence l
refrain from any special OF detailed
reference to the work done by your
representatives in the pastor that which
they now seek to accomplish. The
question is frequently asked by some
member of a local exchange, some
doubting Thomas, "What has been ac-
cOmplished through our organization?
Of what value is it to us as a frater-
nIty2" To such would say that while
our national association is purely legis-
lative body. while we have no power to
enforce the adoption of our ideas and
suggestions by the various affiliating
bodies; while we are only per-
mitted to recommend to them
the fruits of our councils and
deliberations, we have nevertheless,
accomplished much in the elevation and
improvement of standards OF thought
and action among builders. We have
grown. We have become and are be-
coming not contractors and manual
wOrkmen only, but thinking men; men
who, in ascertaining our power, in learn
Ing to respect ourselves, are earning the
respect and esteem of all the better
classes, the right-thinking men ofsall
professions and callings in the various
localities in which we reside. The
WORK HERETOFORE ACCOMPLISHED
by this body having been as stated,
advisory and in the form of recon-
mendations, rather than mandatory,
the general principles thereby Uncut
Gated must have time in which to ac-
complish the work desired. Let us not
be too impatient in looking for more
apparent results. l think, however.
that no observing member of local ex-
change aff1liating with this body, him.
self actually engaged in branch of the
building trades and coming In frequent
contact with the capitalists and their
architects, can fail to have noticed a
remOulding of sentiment, growing
respect for the art of building and its
representatives, more distinct recog-
milton of the value of the builder in all
that tends to promote the comfort, nap.
plneSS and welfare of the citizens OF
this great country. think he must
have noted that not only are we, as
builders, coming to have greater faith
In and respect for ourselves, but thai
our brother builder, the architect, is
learning to respect and have faith ir
our honor of purpose, not only
but in our ability as well, that
in the preparation of plans anC
specifications for the use and guidanc.
of the builder in the rules and methods
under which such builder is asked t.
estimate on the cost and value of sucE
proposed construction. In the genera
use and adoption of our standard con.
tract" we see ample evidence already
that the suggestions made by this body
are being favorably received and acted
upon by the best opponents of the
science of architecture in this country
and the fact is being recognized a:
never before in our organization that Il
the attainment of the
BEST RESULTS IN BUILDING
1t is necessary that the designer and the
artisan should work together, feeling