The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-29

Mason, Robert Watson. w. n. Chadsey,
LapreIite Sweet and John Il. Mcguire;
delegates to the convention of the National
Association of Builders and Traders, 10
De held in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. Is, Will
liam w. Batchelder, David II. Anthony,
Charles l.. Richards and Michael Gold
rick being appointed as alternates. IL
was voted that the annual dues remain at
the same figure as last year. after which
the association repaired to Iillinghasts
assembly rooms wnere an elaborate ban
quet was served.
After the cravings of the inner man had
been satisfied, the president raped for
order and instructed the secretary to read
the letters of regret from the following
named personages: Gov Herbert w. Ladd,
ex-Gov. John w. Davis of Pawtucket,
Mayor Charles Sidney Smith, William III.
Sayward of Boston, James |. Wingate,
president of the Boston Builders Associa-
tion, and G.. ID. Moore of the Worcester
Exchange.
The president then introduced David NJ.
Thompson, president of the Advance
Club who addressed the meeting substan.
tally as follows: Although not aware of
the fact that he would be called upon for
"A Speech yet he had few words TO say on
a subject which was uppermost in his
mind and which should interest all.
You are representative organization"
said the speaker, capable of exerting
dence. While the nature OF the organiza-
tion is not fully known to me, yet | can
see you are body of men capable of con-
sidering the great needs of our city, and
willing TO exert yourselves Il bring about
those Improvements SO necessary TO us at
this time. In my earlier life | started in
mechanical career, and throughout my
existence although gradually leaving the
old trade behind, | can yet appreciate
fully the great benefit to be derived from
cooperative action in behalf of the inn
provement of our city"
We are all of us perfectly familiar
with the growth of Providence. IL has
been n prosperous growth, but many of us
can readily see that we are situated now
with almost unlimited natural advant
ages unused and not made the most of as
we should do If we were as progressive as
we like to consider ourselves. We have in
eur very midst natural resources, which
ii developed would place Providence on
level with the first cities in the country.
And why can we not see these advantages
III we would only work together with but
one end in view, there is nothing, hardly,
that we could not accomplish towards
putting our city at the head of the list.
Our harbor is far superior to many on the
coast, and IL would need but little work To
make il superior TO all. Where will you
find such naturally protected water way
as right here in our port "A sea captain
quainted with the channel as to no
longer require the services of pilot in
bringing the vessel to our port.
Business has suffered terribly from
want of ambition TO work their natural
advantages 10 their utmost. All this
would have been done if the voice of the
public had clamored for it,
From time To time various suggestions
as to the improvement. of the city have
been brought forward, but in almost every
case. they have proved failures. Provi-
dence has facilities uneuuelled for max
ing one OF the foremost cities in the
country, but we all cannot see il i'm the
same light, so we remain as we are and
almost as we nave been during period
of years.
'"rhe Board of Trade has taken but a
negative position in the development OF
the resources OF Que city, and il is may be-
lief that of all the organizations before the
people to-day, there Is not one more capa-
bic of eXerting a stirring influence over
the public as the Builders and Traders
Exchange There are men i'm this
association who are at the head of their
trades, men who are fully fitted and capa-
BILE OF guiding these improvements. The
Advance Club, organized less than two
years ago, WIS organized with the dis
tinctive purpose of advancing the inter
ests OF the city. IL is the intention Of the
club to put itself in touch with all the
public interests. so that when the views
have been put before the public, all can
soc the Way clear Ihere- ara hut -lasy ia
tcrests I'm common of "A public nature,
hut those few are extremely important.
The city of Providence is conservative.
and its people are conservative, SO much
50 I'm fact as TO almost deserve the title.
''old fogies.n which have been applied TO
MS But we must soon wake up, and be
stir ourselves, and, although as in the
case OF all questions Of public interest. we
find opposers, yet by working la unison