The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-03-26
GENERAL FonD,s ADDRESS


 Delivered at the Annual Meeting of the
 Connecticut Jewellers and Opticlaus'
 Assooiation-Remark rrogress-Tho
 AssOoiation's Brilliant Work.
 Following is portion of the able ad- dress delivered at the recent meeting of the Connecticut Jewellers and Opti- clans association by General Gcorga H. Ford, president of the association, in reference to the stamping of gold and silver articles of merchandise.
 As you are aware, this organization was created in October, 1894, under the supervision of MT. Newton Dexter at period when we all were impressed with the fact that the trade in which we were engaged was being absorbed by outside dealers and was being trans acted through illegitimate channels. partially because manufacturers were soliciting outside trade and partially because irresponsible manufacturers and irresponsible dealers were manu- featuring and selling articles called gold and articles called silver that were not gold and were not silver and that the same stamp was used upon these imitation and bogus articles as upon the genuine, without restraint of law. It was under such a condition of things that we organized and got to- gether with a view of interchanging ideas, and. if possible. by organization and united effort, arresting the prog nf hn i,,, made into the trade, and, if possible, secure legislation, enforce the statutes in reference to purity, and improve the quality of goods sold by both manufact- urers and dealers.
 The association has been very suc- cessful in that direction. It has become incorporated under the laws of the state, and has secured the passage of a law in the state of Connecticut which requires the stamping of both gold and silver. This state heads the procession in action relative to gold stamping, and while the law as passed by us may not be as perfect as that some other state may be able to present, we are the lead- CTS.
 l do not know as they can make any improvements, but it is very likely that out of the forty-tive states they may be able to do so We have given them the | text, and if they cannot enlarge upon | the text given by the little state of Con- necticut think it is not to their credit. | In the law or in the operation of it they | may see some amendments, which, If | they do develop, presume this associ- | ation will most likely accept and rec | ommend to our state.
 l The silver law was started and uels 1 fairly successful and met With favor in many of the states. That, of course was a beginning, and a beginnings ill the right direction. The matter of stamping gold is just as sure to receive attention in the other states as the sill yer law was in this state, They are sending to us for copy of our law and | information on the subject
 The leading manufacturers are begin. ming to stamp their goods with the quality, and wish to do so. The manu- lecturers of cheaper goods and imita- tion goods are, of course, opposed to it.
 but it is all on the line of honesty and | integrity, and it is all on the line of good business for a legitimate and hon. 1 est jeweler. It all has a tendency to el- I evate the trade, and the public at largt l are looking to the jeweler as the mar l who has stood In the gap and has called attention to the frauds.
 They look upon him as the honorable merchant in the community and he vii
 receive the credit of it, and instead oi l deteriorating and drifting in the direc, ton of a pawnbroker, the legitimate and honest jeweler is drifting in the di- rection of the banker--the man who car be relied upon to give you honest golt | and honest silver.