The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-02
AN EXCELLENT ADDRESS
Delivered Before tho Commercial Trav.
elers' Association of Virginia.

Delivered Before tho Commercial Trav-
elers' Association of Virginia.
Tho following speech was delivered
by President George w. Wright before
the Commercial Travellers Association
of Virginia, at the convention held at
Pulaski February 90:
Gentlemen Of the Commercial Travel
ers' Association of Virginia:
After several appointments for meet
1ngs OF our association, which, for vari-
Gus causes, were postponed, it gives me
great pleasure to greet you to day under
circumstances so pleasant and agree.
able. 1t is generally understood, be-
lieve, that speech making, at least in
public, is not ono Of the requirements
of this association; our speaking being
most effective when confined to ono
merchant in his private room, where we
can detail to him, with all the eloouence
and earnestness of our natures, the in.
estimable privileges we are bestowing
upon him in giving him the opportunity
to replenish his depleted shelves from
our inexhaustible stores; so, of course,
you expect no speech from me to-
day But, in lieu of speech,
| shall beg you to indulge me
for few minutes in few plain
and practicable observations which l
feel may not be altogether wanting
in interest 10 you, my workers in
common field.
we are representatives of fraternity
which is constantly growing in nuner-
zeal strength and expanding in CONNER
cial importance. Every day our members
are being increased, our field of labor
extended and our responsibilities rem
dered more sacred. In fact we have not
inaptly been denominated "the new
profession
1t is Tor the purpose of organizing
this profession by securing concert of
action, to guard it's interests, to protect,
educate, elevate and dignity it that we
arc here today. Nothing can
be accomplished except by unity
OF purpose. Organization is the
watchword of the day and
the open sesame to every successful
omplishment; without it, however
earnest may be our endeavors, our
energies will be but wasted and our
hopes unrealized. The section Of our
constitution enumerates the objects of
our organization. All OF them are need-
full and none of them are unreasonable.
That our numerical Importance and the
peculiar character of our duties, which
requires us to DO constantly on the
road. entities US to concessions in trans
portation rates and hotel fares no rea.
sonable mind will doubt and these
objects and the means of attaining them
should engage your thoughtful and con.
siderate attention, and such conserya-
tive action should be taken as YOU. wis
dom dictates. But while these and
kindred objects are desirable, there.
are others which are even more so, and,
in my view, are indispensable to tho
promotion and success Of our organiza-
ton, certainly to the attainment of its
highest aims.
In view OF the Responsibilities which
we have assumed and which we bear TO
our principals and tho duties which we
owe them and their patrons-occupying
as we do, positions of the highest trust
to both-l feel that as your presiding
othcer cannot too earnestly urge upon
you the Importance of strict attention to
that provision of our constitution which
requires you to adopt means for the pur-
pose of elevating the standing of travel
ling men and creating O standard of
social, moral and commercial worth.
which must be reached before admission
can be gained here. Travelling sales
men have duties and trusts of the high
est Character 10 perform. They have in
trusted to them immense interests and
stand in confidential relations with COM
mercial houses of the country. No man
can successfully fill such position ex-
cept his honor be untarnished and his
integrity unimpeachable.
That many unworthy men do obtain
these places of trust cannot be denied,
and their conduct has, in many IN
stances, tended to bring our profession
into disrepute. Let us seek to guard
against this, by adopting such regula.
tons as will exclude all unworthy per-
sons from the rolls OF our membership,
and enforce such discipline as will
demonstrate to the world that no man
who violates his trust can find or retain
his abiding place here. When this is
done all other desirable objects will fol.
low. Our requests will be met and
treated with courteous consideration.
while existing evils will be gradually
remedied, and our certificate of mem
bership will DO badge of merit such as
to entitle its owner to the confidence and
respect of the business and social world.
Let US strive for tho consummation of
of these desirable ends.
THE CALL ISSUED