The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-04

that portion of the thoroughfare which
| they occupy and use, and thre feet outside
| of its rails, a condition which does not APP
/. ply TO anybody else. IL Is better by Tar
T To have the fares remain low ana not
compel the comp anies to pay special tax
| for the Use of streets ,4
AT the close of Mr.. Daggett's remarks
| President Thompson delivered his annual
address. II occupied about one hour, and
| was full of points OF interest. The foi-
lowing are few brief extracts
| "Under the rules and customs or our
| club its meetings are restricted TO the
| presence of members only. With view
| OF promoting the interests OF the cluo
and bringing it more fully to the knowl-
edge of our fellow-citizens the executive
committee has ordered the change which
you observe this evening. IL is diver
sion which is intended 10 increase and en-.
large our numbers, while giving added
zest and spirit To the work we have at
heart,
"The Advance Club Is in many respects
an exceptional organization: The work
which the club has engaged in Is as essen
tial to the future prosperity or THIS city.
This work is therefore OF such Importance
TO each individual, as effecting your per-
sonal interest, as TO fully justify what
ever OF effort may be necessary for the con-
summation Of your purpose. Your priv
ate interests are dependent upon the pub
a
general estimate of ordinary men.
:" AS we are about to enter upon new
year il Is fitting and proper that we review
briefly the past work of the club, to the
end that we profit by its experiences and
derive all possible encouragement and
strength for the future. II is of first i'm
portance that we keep In mind the many
difficulties which the club has encoun-
tered. Not quite two years have elapsed
since its organization. lin April, 1890,
with but eighteen members.) The condi-
tions then existing in respect to the ex-
treme conservatism of leading business
men as to public interests were such as to
give little encouragement for the future.
The task seemed an arduous one, ana the
results so desrous To accomplish were
questions of great magnitude, involving
elements of much uncertainty and doubt.
IL required no little courage TO formulate
the plans and purposes OF this club in the
face Of doubtful success
1T was fully recognized that 1t must be
a work of considerable time and much
labor to build up the club in its member
ship to a point where effective results
could be obtained The conditions inn
posed were such as 70 admit only those
who should be in full accord with the
spirit and purposes of the club. The OBJ
jects aimed at required that its members
should be men of business interests, pos
sessed of broad and liberal views. The ex-
ment, narrowed the list of possible candi-
dates-a condition, however, that was
deemed essential to the best interests or
the cldb in its relation TO public affairs.
"Forty-seven names, representing large
business interests, have been added to the
roll OF membership, making a total OF
sixty-five members.
There has been a considerable skir-
mishing upon the lines of public interests,
in which the club has actively partici-
pated, while there have been several open
field engagements in which opportunity
has been found to test the mettle and
character of the club. 1t has been sue
cessful in every encounter. IL has added
largely TO its list of friends, compelled
respectful consideration from its oppo-
nents, and to-day, at the close OF its second
year of service, enjoys in very sonsidera-
BILE degree the respect and confidence Qt
the people
''lt is safe to affirm that since May. 1Sa0
the work of this club has been a potent
factor in the determination of the public
policy of this city Every department of
the public interest has in some manner
received substantial aid and support
through the influence of the Advance
Club Its work has been effective, even
beyond the general knowledge. Its
achievements and record To the present
time are conditions for which we should
be profoundly grateful"
Mr.. Thompson then received the work
of the club as relating to various public
acts. lie went on To speak in detail of the
Elmwood improvement, and that on
Greenwich street, the franchise contracts,
the subway act Blackstone and Seekonk
River Parks, terminal facilities, the post
Office, streets and highways, the extension
of Elmwood avenue, water, sewerage, the
pollution of Pawtuxet Valley, and public
parks.
At the close of his speech he was warm
ly applauded and vote of thanks was
passed to him for his remarks.