The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-08

mittee classification Of cotton be filed by
the executive council.
The retiring president. Mr.. James Lewis
Peirce, made tho following address before
leaving the chair:
In retiring from this presidential office which
for the past three years / have occupied
through your courtesy, | tender you my
grateful thanks for your kind consideration
and cooperation in my conduct OF the office
! regret that we have not reached that high
ideal which, in the flush Of my earnestness
upon assuming the offico. ! had hoped we
would attain.
It ~ wise provision OF our bylaws that
this office should rotate. and it Is not unhe-
coming in any member to be an aspirant for
IL. ! assumed il with many misgivngs. from
lack of experience. and now return TO the
floor with a continued and undated interest
in the welfare of the board.
The commemorstioa of our 25th anniversary
In 1893, by the bouquet then held. gave an
impetus Of increased membership, and would
suggest another banquet in the hope OF like
result. believe such occasions tend To the
growth and increase interest in organiza.
tions Of the character OF own. In other
cities these organizations have their annual
banquets. and n livelier interest is .created
among the members.
Our hnarclal condition must receive your
early and serious con sideration. The income
from cur present membership is not sufficient
10 meet our present expenses; either these
latter must be curtailed. an increased mem
bership be secured. or an increased annual
tax be assessed. The reports OF tho treasurer
aad financial committee show in detail our
condition. Our surplus. or building fund, as
IL has been termed. has been drawn upon this
year TO tho amount Of the interest on the
ssme. think il unwjse to use this fund for
current expenses.
Tho disinclination to participate in discus
sion Of topics presented at our meetings is
worry general by reason of which matters d.
nou receive that consideration .hey ought,
and the meetings are lacking in enthusiasm.
During the past three years our board has
been broughht into closer relations with like
organizations throughout the country by OK
change of resolutions pertaining to national
subjects. and have received from many
Of them courtesies which, representing you,
I have acknko Sledged, ana some Of which
have accepted.
For my successor ask your earnest and
hearty support aud cooperation. that under
his administration new life may be infused
and the growth OF the board be enlarged.
cordial vote OF thanks was accorded TO
MT. Peirce. and no was presented with the
gavel. He Is the first president, who. in the
Is years of the boards existence, has served
for three terms. bylaw provides that no
member shall serve for more than two con.
secutive terms without the unanimous con-
sent OF the members. Such consent was given
year ago when for the third time the com
NJ -.
name at the head of the ticket.
President William B. Weeden is ono of the
most prominent manufacturers In Rhode
Island. and his name has long been associated
with the greater commercial interests OF the
city and State. He has been member OF the
Providence Board CT Trade since its organza.