New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-07

early in the afternoon at No. 80 Nassau-st.. and
attended by unusually large NUMBER Oh
prominent and successful New-York business men,
Unsolicited subscriptions to the amount of $4,000
were received. Among the subscribers were John
ID Rockefeller Cornelius Vanderbilt j. Perpont
Morgan, Samuel ID. Babcock, Morris h. Jesup. D.
Willis james, John 5. Kennedy and William r..
Dodge each OF whom is TO give $4,000 to the
fund
The actual work of soliciting subscriptions to
the Chambers building fund not begun yester-
day. but the appointment Of a committee for that
purpose was ordered, and 1t is expected that the
committee will have little difficulty In securing
pledges for the rest Of the fund.
Alexander F.. Orr who reelected to the
office OF president of the Chamber yesterday. re-
ceived the credit for initiating the movement 10
secure a permanent home for the corporation lie
called the meeting order usual, but after the
report Of the Committee on Nominations mad been
read he asked Morris X. Jesup 10 preside while
the tellers were receiving the ballots.
MIR. ORR'S ADDRESS.
Before the result of the election Of new officers
and members Of the standing committees could be
announced, Mr.. orr made an address, announcing
the plan for the raising Of a building fund. lie
said:
Mr. Chairman. Before proceeding to elect officers
for the ensuing year. beg the privilege Of saying
Gentlemen. with your kind permission. desire
TO repeat for your consideration statement !
made from his platform JUS three Years ago goos
handsome artistic and attractive as they most
keen disappointment that in the times gone by IL
had not been deemed expedient ana absolutely
of its own building and domicled in It's own home
Since then. from the standpoint of your president
and the closer insight such contact with your
affairs gives this impression has been strens thcned
and intensified many fold until began to realize
that will be falling very far snort OF running
n |
the whole country. which, In measure, we com
SERIOUS Consideration Of question which trust
you will agree with me In beeying bears directly
MANY, very many. Of the members Of this time
honored Chamber, including among the number
as of those on our records of to-day. have been
most prncely in their gifts for the promotion Of
literature. religion. philanthropy and charity,
every one of which has been pride and delight
TO us all, and yet as an association, remarkabe as
ours has ever been in educating its members into
this system OF magnificent giving. and now enter
ing the 10th year OF It's chartered existence we
have taken no heed whatever Of that kind of chart
table foreth9ugh pludfnce ana ptotfcnGm Wnien
home"
WHAT THE AIM SHOULD BE.
know and freely admit that the last three years
have not been propitious for beginning an entec-
prise Of the magnitude now most earnestly advo-
cate | use that word magnitude" advisedly. for
when we do commence | trust will aim to
our birthright our sclf-respect and our position
warrant Possibly II may be said that this year
is equally inopportune. but bear In mind that we
are an aggressive az well as n progressive people
and that although there are some dlfleultles ana
acknowledgements along our mercantile foreground
II will be all the more credtable If We confront
them with courage and determination. and not
postpon action for an indefinite period. Till some
influence other and more potent than our own re-
moves them for from our path.
IL gives me pleasure 10 inform you that several
of our members with whom have conferred most
heartily indorse the suggestions now present, and
viii eli kindly ]
nucleus OF "A building funG amounting 10 $2is,yJ0
the subscriptions of only eighteen gentlemen and
one lady with the single condition attached that
payment Is not TO be required I'LL one million Of
dollars H. pledged.
As our membership now exceeds twelve hundred
surely. with this good beginning and little energy
and scf-dcnlal on our part. the required amount
can be obtained
/ wish II distinctly understood that sub
scriptions will not be asked for 3 gifts, without
any prospect OF return or benefit 10 ourselves as
subscribers. As yet no plan mas been formulated
but when II Is ! doubt not provision VIII be made
for issuing TO contributors certificates OF Indebted
ness or income bonds. bearing such moderate rate
Of interest as may be conveniently paid from each