Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-26

numbered only about seyentv-fye mem-
bers, with no permanent or suitable
place for holding its meetings, and, what
ie much worse. with no hope then of ever
having such q place. We then had Sccre-
tary who. whilst doing all that was required
or could be expected of him or any one
employed al the very small compensation
we could then AFFORD 10 pay. could only
give "a few hours each month 70 the work
of tho chamber The rooms were only
Opeued from time 20 time, as the meetings
ol the chamber or board required, and
thus tho work OF the chamber was mecca
sarIly greatly handicapped, II not impaired.
To-day our membership has been IN
creased nearly tentOid; our Board Of Di-
rectors nearly doubled; our committees
nearly qu0drupled ln number, and, what
has added more 10 the efficiency of our
work than al other agencies combined,
now We have u most able aud accomplished
| secretary. who, with two competent as
! sistants keep the rooms OF the chamber
| always open. aud give their whole timo 10
| the work Of the chamber, and. IN the most
| intelligent and Efficient way, TO the ad-
yanccmeut Of tho business Interests Of
| this CITY; and these facilities Will be
greatly added 10 when we get fixed IN our
new and permanent home, which we meet
| 20 lay the cornerstone OF this evening.
IMPORTANT TO CITY AND STATE ALIRE.
No man can estimate the worth and i'm
portance of an organization equipped as
| this is 10 tins clty and state. To keep up
such EN- organization not only requires
continuous and wcil-diroctod effort. but it
requires means up to the time OF the
completion of this building. which we be-
lieye. after careful Investigation, viii be
paving investment, we have no other
means of sustenance than the small
membership Tee which each member
annually contributes, and no man ought TO
be wiling 10 10 business in tins com
munity who is unwilling 20 contribute this
pittancc for the good OF such al Orgaulza-
ti0n as this IN their midst. But We not only
want your annual dues-We want your CO.
operatloulu brains, experience, and energy;
and therefore we wish every business or
professional man I'm this city 20 JON rs
aud give rs their aid ~ expanding this
chamber and its work, and IN thus making
this CITY what Ifs natural Surroundings
and the intelligence ana real worth OF its
ucOpie cut.tlc 10 to be--ylZ., the pride and
glory. a- Il Is already the Mecca, OF tins
dear aud eveT-giOuoUs Southland OF ours.
Where several have done so much to
accomplish what has already been done
for and by the cham Der 10 attain It's pres
ent position It would be invIdious and un-
lust TO single out any one as the man VINO
had accomplls he'd tins result. Indeed,
the character and magnitude OF the work
was such that no one man could have done
IL. and Il thus required what | hope this
people are learning the importance Oh
VIZ. cooperation and combination OF
effort. That the wise leadership aud ear
nest and well-directed efforts Of the
late president Of the chamber have
greatly contributed and given shape
10 the many efforts necessary 10 reach our
present advanced position, all who have
had occasion 70 watch his almost perfect
administration of ms Office will at once
concode. and for this he deserves, and |
know Will receive, your highest need OF
praise IL was most appropriate, then, that
he should have been selected 10 speak TO
you on this important occasion, and 1t
therefore affords me the greatest pieasure
20 introduce 10 YOU rs your speaker Colo
mel John B. Purcell. late presldtut OF the
Chamber Of Commerce OF tins city.
Colonel Percelrs Address.
At tho conclusion of judge Christians
remarks. which evoked hearty applause,
Colonel Purcell spoke as follows:
MIR. fresldeut. Gentlemen, ana Ladies, -
In accepting the honor which YOU have
conferred in inviting me TO address you on
Tins occasion, | recognize the compliment
as not alone 10 myself, but 70 the CONNER
cial element in this community, OF when
l am an humble member
also feel that you expect a plain, prac,-
tical, business talk, rather than the brli-
liant effort of an orator.
With tbie understanding ! accepted
your invitation 0f q few daFs ago, ana II
must serve as an apology for my unpre-
tending address this evening.
canno' Let pass such an opportunity
for congTatulating ourselves upon the
auspicious beginning Of this enterpris e.
which marks the era Of a new degree OF
usefulness for our chamber. There is III
our city no body Of more influence or dig.
nitv than the Chamber of Commerce ana
the idea OF erecting tins building was con-
ceiyed IN the great want, felt since the
date of It's organization, for suitable
home. Coupled with the desire 70 supply
this want was the practical purpose OF so
enlarginQ the scheme as TO finally insure a
revenue that would support the institu-
tion in accordance with ITS proper dignity
and importance. =,
In the fulGlment Of these plans we shall
see the Richmond Chamber Of Commerce
Handsomely settled IN its own contortabie
and elegant building with an income. l
its benefeent designs.
MARX or PROGRESS.
In all ages, the execution of great works
OF art or science has marked the intellect
ual progress Of nations. All tho annals ot
the great pyramids 10 the CONSTRUCTION ei %
the Simplon pass are impressed Win
lstheSe embiems Of human industry and
perseverance. We, IN our generation,
have seen the impress Of our own time ~
the Ssez canal, tue brooklyn bridge ana