The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-29
AN ORNAMENT TO The CITY,
The Splendid New Chamber Of COmmsrcs
Formally Opened.
REPRESENTATIVE AUDIENCE PRESENT.
Hon. GEORGE. Christian, the President
Delivered an Eloquent Address--a
Magnificent banquet Served.

,,ro. in the presence OF one OF the finest
oo,hcrings of representative business
,,.n ever assembled in this city.
Tho guests we're admitted to the build
,,,. hv card. They we're invited for $50
l,c,ock al which time the Reception
FINANCE. aud building Committees IN f"h
dress with white SILK rosettcs on their
-, ,,rels. were present. and heartily
,,olcomed the guests as they "rri'eu
On the floor occupied by "the chamber
from the great passenger elevators ten
ov more at time.
A., hour was spent In pleasant con-
80 after which the regular ceremonies
~. occasion commenced. The arriv-
ga, c,,csts were greeted by the sweet
ls from Iardeia's band, stationed
% me landing on the second noor.
some Of the Guests.
.o,- those present were r. r.
,.r,,ser W. T.. Tanner. Jno. $. Elicit
~ NIcRae. r.. G. Ebel, W. G.. Harbrough'
Colonel g. Percy Halves. Rev. Mr.. Abbltt'
- q REYNOLDS, James Parkinson. W.
- Hawkins. Thomas Christian, A. u.
FERGUSON. q. G.. Minor. James Leish
Zones. James u. Crump. G. T. Winso'
= Y. BALDWIN j. j.. Lindsay j. Buch-
onan Everett Waddey. Ware Il. cay
Jackson Guy, j. J. Silvey' john Aliison,
lewis Blair. stephen putney. +. Roberts
paker. 4. =. Warren. John W. Harw0od,
John T.. Gilman. 6. J.. McCluer. Nm'
bridges. W. A. Maury. seymour Strause'
Governor j. ". Mckinney, Captain >
Curtis. state Senator Harrison, +. A.
Mosby. II. II. Mcclure. W. Il. Dibbren'
los Wallcrstein. r. ". Wood, {. r.
Saur. Grayson Burrnss John PlckrelI'
I'd Starke. Colonel Tazewell Elicit D.
r. Savage. Il. W. Powers. G. J.. br3Wn'
/ G Younger. Frank ID. Hill. J0hn
tfyntor u. q. Leigh. Jr, j.. VI. Blanton.
7 H. Morris. Barney rrscnKorn Chas.
Dincess Jamestown Colonel Jno. Il. Cary,
,favor j. Taylor Ellyson a. Il. Apperson'
rigar u. Taylor, j.. B. Taylor John
n. West. r. H. Barton, Judge john
d. Ingram Senator VIM. Lovenstein'
carlton Mccarthy, Ben. August. a. j.
IAnderkln. Major J. IL. Capers J. i.
Hni. A. l.. Masurier Y. Hechler, l.
y, Affriend Justice John Crutchheid'
Geo j. Peasants, t. II. FERGUSON. q.
r. Sydnor r. s. Bosher. Geo. McAdais'
a r. Johnston. Writ Y. Taylor NJ. j..
Dlmmock J. G. Dickinson. H. NJ. Starke.
The Ceremonies.
The simple ceremonies which formally
celebrated the event fraught with so much
inheritance 10 the business interests OF
Richmond. took place i'm the magnificent
audience chamber. which occupies the en-
tiro front Of the building.
Preceded BY Judge George J.. Christian
presidcnt Of the association. and Rev. M
H. Hoge. ID. -, the reception committee
marched 10 the great room, where III
s4ni-circle facing the presiding oflcer
platform, they were seated
1T. a. anrnn0ElH Inc
reception committee. J. Randolph Tucker
Ir T. NJ. Whittie. Jr., 10. Lane stern
Allen Talbott J. T.. Purcell. w. r. Trigg'
y O. James, G.. u. McAdams NJ, ;. Quafles
j. h. Mosby, l.. -. Crenshaw, Jr., ;. H.
Hawes. r. A. Cary, " Il. Cutshaw' J. H.
Werth. J. $. Williams. George l.. Chris
tisn. John n. purcell. Norman V. Ran
doph. John s. Williams.
president Christian presided. and miro
duced Rev. Dr. Hoge, who o1ered
beautiful prayer. peculiarly appropriate
10 q business gathering.
Mir. 5. r. HAYES, chairman Of the
Building Committee. briefly announcer
that the building was complete ana au-
thorized SIS acceptance.
Mr.. NJ. ). Dimmock, the architect, then
stepped forward and briefly outlining the
work from its inception, presented MS
anished work TO the association.
Judge Christian then read number OF
telegrams Of cOngratuiation among when
were messages from the New Orleans ana
cincinnati Chambers Of Commerce, the
baltimore Corn and Flour Exchange, Gen.
William b. Taliaferro, and others.
The only speaker OF the evening was
Judse Christian, who os president Of the
association. delivered an elegant and able
address. during which he several times
was compelled 10 stop on account OF
applause.
Judge Christian spoke in part, as fol-
lows;
Tenow-citizens and gentlemen of the
Chamber Of Commerce:
We have assembled this evening for the
purpose of performing a duty no less i'm
p0rtant than pleasant in the history OF
our beloved city and state.
We are here TO inaugurate formally this
beautiful building erected by this Chamber
20 be dedicated as temple to the uses OF
the trade and commerce of this growing
oity. We feel sure that lao one present
viii deny that this Is one Of the most IN
toresting as well as one of the most i'm
p0rtapt events that ever occurred IN me
history OF Richmond-a city already linked
with the most historic ana interesting
events that have ever been enacted on
american soil That this building IS q
credit to our city is universally conceded.
The design OF the architect. as well as the
execution OF that design by our contractor,
and his associates. under the intelligent
and Nsiiant supervision OF our building
committee reflects the highest credit on
each and all of them, and will ever stand
as a monument al their skill taste in
genwty. and fidelity We have erected
here not only permanent home for this
the chief trade organization of our city
10 which we can always repair with com
fort 20 coM ut as 10 the best means OF
promoting every interest OF our CITY and
state, but We have I'm this building sun
pied a lOng-feit want In the erection Of a
splendid office building. second 10 but rev
IN the land. with every service ana every
comfort TO make IT attractive TO occu-
pants OF every desirable class and calling.
Here we have already housed some of
She leaders IN the many lines OF business
and professions OF our city. nearly all OF
the best offices having been taken before
the building was completed But above
and beyond this. as | said before. We have
here this cOmmodlous. beautiful, ana per-
rnanent home fOi, our Chamber, which OF
Itself ought 10 give IL a new Impulse 10
30 forward IN the great work for which
u was designed ana organized. WIN II nave
this effect?
II IS for You 10 answer this ques-
lion. We have erected the temple. and We
now dedicate IL 20 the service OF trade
ANA commerce. What will the priests
~ trade and commerce. who are 10 min
lister Ia this temple do with the struc-
iure we now and here commit - their
hands. WIN they let this organization.
which has already done 70 much for the
uppuhding Of our city. drag itself slowly