The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-29

whose material aid In lending the money
with which the building was erected. We
could have done nothing. The last named
gentleman took a second lien 10 secure
the amount loaned by him, thus mani
Testing a public spirit and liberaiity which
characterize all Of his acts. and by which
he has done. and Is continuing to do. go
much to advance the true interests OF
our city and State. II we had twenty
more such men in Richmond, what would
they not do for Us?
Ia Conclusion.
And now | have done. 1 have said
all that | have with but little time for
preparation or thought, and amid sur
roundings. and with feelings not rOndu-
GIVE to the proper discharge Of the duty
assigned to me. But have simply done
the best / could. under the circumstances.
All that | have said has been with an
eye single to rhe best interests Ct this
body and this city, both Of which / love
with a devotion I have no words 10 ex-
press. Carlisle says. THE centuries are
ali iineal children Of one another" We
see what this chamber and what this city
has done. within the sort space Of about
a quarter OF a century. Can we nor
take courage from what we have done
thus far. apd beginning afresh, from
these suspicious surroundings. VIII nor
the people OF Richmond, OF every iFade
and calling, come up and JOIN and identity
themselves with this chamber ana Its
work. and nuke themselves such a power
for the advancement Of its every interest,
that our city will occupy the place ana
exercise the influence among other com
mercial centres OF the country which
nature by her gift OF location, climate,
and other advantages. destined her TO
OCCUPY, and which her people have the
intelligence. virtue. and energy 70 make
her enjoy for all the centuries 10 conner
Yes, my friends. we invite you all 10
make this house your business nome
feel that you all are members OF this
business family. and that we are really
and truly a-<''band of brothers" each
striving to do what he can 20 promote
the common and important trusts COM
mtted 20 our hands.
To Our friends from sister cities and
ftoYn the county. we say We are glad to
welcome YOU here now. and will be at
all times. and whatever interest you
manifest in us or our work we appreciate
- the fullest extent. We wish 10 say
20 our friends. from the country espec-
tally. that If YOU ever suppose that what
we do here Is done with the intention or
desire of antagonizing or injuring you.
you are greatly mistaken. We Fecog-
nlze fully the mutual relations or the
country and The city, and we wish these
relations to continue and 10 grow stronger
and closer as the years roll by. Ana III
the words OF the poet we say:
Come. broad-souled commerce. hear her
proud all hail;
Treasures of ocean and OF soil unseailng,
Come on thy pinions, swift OF stream
and sail.
Yet evermore by highway. river, rail,
with golden trade. bear wealth Of golden
feeling:
Bear with the weavings OF our toll and
skill
A tie 20 bind US in fraternal band,
With offerings of the farm the NINE
the mill.
A reciprocity OF mems good Will
TO hold earth's sundered people hand In
hand"
The Banquet.
iaraeala's band played pixie" and
raised great enthusiasm, as this inspiring
Southern tune always does in Richmond.
20 AZ the close OF the ceremonies the
several hundred guests adjourned 10 the
board-room on the floor above. where
they discussed a large bowl Of apple
toddy."
From there they were invited to din
ner, which. for want OF more convenient
quarters. was spread in the spacious nall
WAYS Of the third ant fourth stories.
The banquet was Of the most elegant
and inviting character, and profuse in
its plenitude.
Roasted pigs roasted saddles OF mutton.
splendid turkeys, and great Toasts OF beef
formed the foundation Of a very elegant
repast. served by the colored caterer
James Forester
The magnificent building which IS now
H.. hon her Of
Commerce. is one of the handsomest
structures in the South Fronting on Main
street six stories. and on Ninth street
seven stories, it is massive and impos-
ing in appearance.
The Richmond Chamber OF Commerce
was organized I'm September. 1861. and
from that hour to the present has been
a potent factor in the business prosper
ity Of this city.
The Fir.t Officers.
On october ., 1867. the first officers Of
the chamber were elected, as follows:
David j. Burr, president; Isaac Daven-
port, Jr., first Vice-president; Thomas
w. McCance, second Yice-president; ).
L. Apperson, treasurer, and l.. q. Cosh-
Ian, secretary; and the following directors:
T. G. Peyton, L. o. Noting Alexander
Cameron, Lewis j.. Crenshaw, X. II.
Blankenship, W. G. Ferguson. James
Woodhouse. r. S. Baldwin Powhatan
Weisiger. A. Y. Stokes. William b.
Isaacs. f.. b. Bentley. John Purcell, James
X. Branch, and W. :. Donnan.
At this meeting the eanNassing COM
nittee reported 22l names for election as
members.
After the resignation Of NJ, Burr, Who
served until OCTOBER 10, 1877, the once
was successfully hlled for two terms
by Mr.. Thomas W. McCance; Tor a IKE
nertod by General Joseph Il. Anderson;
| for five years by Mr.. l.. o. Noting; for
five wears by Mr. Il T.. Blankenship; fer
| three by Mr. George A. Ainslie, for three
ny Colonel Iohu Il. Purcell; and the
| present incumbent. Judge George IL.
| Christian, is now serving his second
| term.
! The first place IL the meeting Of the
| chamber was over tie First National
| Bank: from there it moved TO quarters
| IN the Commercial Club, on Governor
| street. IN the building now known az
~. Luke's Home; from which place II
moved with the Commercial CluD 20
| No 9i2 east Main street, where II oecn-
! MED quarters until January /, 1885, when
/ il leased rooms in the Merchants Ma
| tionaI Bank building, IN which IL re-
! manned until the Sd of October. when
! II moved into its commodious quarters
Al the Chamber OF Commerce building
satr o~so- rr"'d
In 1850 the membership had so enlarged
| that II was then found that the rooms
I I'm which the organization met were too
| small and Inaccessible for It's general
meetings and daily work. which hrst
| suggested the necessity Tor efecilns
f.narnper of Commerce building MI
| r. a cary. Mr. j. IL. Witty, and MI