The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-06-15

the occasion, had been transformed in.
to a veritable bower OF beauty.
| While over two hours were spent in
discussing the excellent menu, replate
and inexhaustiSls in it's supply of deli
cacies, Bauer's orchestra, stationed in
the reading room adjoining, discoursed
sweet music. The arrangement. ser
vice and general excellence OF the re-
past reflects much credit upon G. NJ
Truman. proprietor OF the hotel.
w. I. Smith, the toaGtmaster, called
the assem- blag0 to order in brief
but happily selected speech. he said
in part:
BY virtue of the honorable position that
has been assigned me, 1 arise to rsiterate
and emphasize the hearty welcome we all
extend and to thank you for your visit TO
our city aud especially for your presence
| here tonight. 1t Seems eminently proper
that after the arduous duties Of
the day in the interest and
| promotion Of sound principles of banking
| you should lay aside your labors and de.
| vote the evening to the rest and diversion
Of banqueting. We fully realize that the
labors and duties Of active business are ID
u measure to provide means for the en-.
| joyment OK the pleasures and amenities Of
social life, and IT we can in any degree
make this evenings fulllment Of this de-
SIRE we shall feel that we have accom-
plished our object
We who have lived here for many years
and watched the growth and progress Of
our city, may be pardoned for feeling
reasonable pride in, and deep attachment
to 1t. A bountiful providence placed here
u generous provision for prosperity and
'n active and eGterpri,ing people have
used these clements successfully, and be-
love am not assuming too much
in saving that among all the
tlourishing cities of our glorious
commonwealth we may claim to be tho
peer Of any in our class. We sincerely
hope hat thisvisit may so impress you that
you Will come again individually and col
lectlyely and you may always be assured
OF hearty welcome. Aud now we will
proceed 20 the real feast of the evening
and demonstrate that the vocabulary OF
the banker is not confined to the mono
syllable phrases of '''yes" ana mo"
Hon. Theodore Strong Of Pttston,
president Of the association, in re-
sponse to the toast, Banks Of the
SusQuehanna,' remarked upon the
financial advance Of Scranton, the end
OF which has not yet arrived. All have
heard OF the banks of the Susquehanna,
particularly at Pittston, wnere they
are annually oveih)wn. He cited
Coopdr who wrote Of the beauties of the
picturesque stream and mentioned
the Bank Of the Wyoming, the first Oh
the bank OF the river, with &3S, 900 cap
ital, from which he drew pleasing
Inference to the stupendous wealth of
today. There is one thing they are
able 20 do Of Wilkes-Barro which hu
has not been able to fathom-saking
the bowels from a bank aud leaving
the skeleton.
Toastmlster Smith in calling upon
d. B. Sturges to respond to the "B4uks
Of the Nile" mentioned him as one Of
the men who have made Scranton
what she is.
Mr.. Sturges said that az most OF his
ysass was spent in signing notes, his
invitation to the banquet was no doubt
because Of honor to whom honor is
due" From the fact that any fool caa
make good speech on the
banks OF the Nile he didn't pro-
pose to make COOL speech. Old
Cyops built safe deposit vaults hun.
drsds Of years ago which have not been
opened yet. This recalls the question
of time, by which modern bankers can
draw "a good lesson from the Nile
There is plenty OF time. Another
point Of difference in favor OF the Nile
is in the matter Of wind which bears
you up the river. Hers it's ditfarout;
u man arrives in town with plenty
Of wind which changes as soon as he
is in hard luck-theu its deal against
him, However, the banks Of the Nile
are worthless unless they ars watered.
TO say something true and serious-"as
| watched the mummiied remains Of
h. masses the great and his turrCwrd
face which caused the parth to trsmble.
l thought how little is greatness. To-
night lie is merely q spectacle
for the curious. The contrast
Of he great man who lived1for himself
400 years ago can be likened to some
lives today-entirely at variance with
what il taught in our schools aud
churches. This is the lesson | want to
get the benefit from and which will en-.
dure il banking and other occupations.
Rev Charles Il Robinson, D. D,
who responded to the Banks OF the Jor.
dan, said that inasmuch as tho toast.
master mad suggested that he (Dr Rob-
inson) had searched tho Jordan's banks
for the salt woman, he would remark
that it had been his Lot to fiud her.
lie said that. although conversation
is impossible when others wish to talk,
he would talk briefly without the ster-
eotyped plea that he had not pre-.
pared speech. What importanco
can be attached to the banks
of the Jordan. as far as bankers are
concerned, he is at loss to know, uu-
less the bankers have found it hard
road to travel. Yet. putting aside the
lighter sentiment attached TO his sub.
jeot, no cited the stock of the banks of
the Jordan, its dividends, its capital
stock and the infinite endorsement Of
Jesus Christ on the drafts, which
makes it the greatest bank, trust con.
Germ or clearing house the world has
ever known, Ii the banks haven't any
investment there they had batter con-
si1er 1t.
Hon. Robert O. Wright, in respond
ing to the toust Banks of the Lehigh,"
SAID no joined in tine thanks OF Others
!or the lavish ana whole hearted hos
pitality of the Scranton business men.
He drew an interesting idea of the
difference in the facilities and custom
OF city bankers standing by one another
in times OF trouble and panic, and the
helpIossness of the coutry baker. You
cannot separate your prosperity rs ma.
ton from the soundnesss of your banks.
He enleavored to impress the bankers
individually @and generally upon the
importance OF interesting themselves
in the financial legislation in progress.
There is too much attention to matters
solely witnin the four walls OF bank
ing business, while politicians ard
demagogues are making mistakes
which affect US as individuals aud a
nation. Banks will not be banks Of de.
posit aud discount until they are not
compelled to buy bonds and give notes
The people will never accept currency