The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-02-26

lnE-speecnes Dy iheuteHdhl-ooNoihoi
DeweII, william Jennings Bryan and
Others "A Merchants Day Suggested
115 Covers Laid.
The Retail Merchants association
of this city held at the New Haven
house last evening the most success
full and enjoyable banquet in every re-
spect that has ever been held by the
organization. Covers were laid for 11O
guests and about los were present. The
banquet room was we'll appointed, and
much to the pleasant features of the
occasion.
The menu contained everything de-
manded by the palate of the epicure,
and was arranged in Landlord Nose
ley's usual first-class style.
At 1890 Mr. Bryan and Alexander
Troup, the speaking at the Hyperion
having been concluded, arrived at the
banquet hall and after the two gentle
men had done full justice to the ban
quet, Stephen A. Howe, the president
of the association, rose to open the pro-
gram of speaking, He spoke in high
terms of Walter Leigh's efficient work
in and for the association during the
time in which he was president, and
also spoke Of the reluctance with which
the association had considered Mr..
LeighS refusal to accept a reelection.
He spoke of the many branches of
business represented in the association,
and told of the benefits of the associa-
ton to all merchants of the city. He
said that the organization now had $50
members, and that new applications
We're coming in nearly every day. The
quarterly reports and the collection
agency have proved of great benefit.
No one is prosecuted by the collection
agencv but everything is done in that
line with fairness. A four-page report
was issued on January / of those who
could pay bills, but wouldn't and this
is sent only to merchants, not being
published abroad.
Mr.. Howe then introduced Lewis D.
Chidsey as toastmaster. Mr.. Chidsey
read letter from Governor Cooke re-
GREETING his inability to attend the
banquet, and then introduced Lieuten-
ant Governor Dewell, who responded
to the toast 1.-The State of Connecti-
cut
Mr.. Dewell spoke of the great men of
Connecticut of the past and present,
mentioning among the names of the
latter the name of Mr.. Chidsey, which
called forth a burst of applause and
some jokes at the expense of that gen.
tleman.
Mr.. Dewell said that he was proud of
the association and of the merchants Of
New Haven, and told of the various
ways in which the association had and
might do public good. He spoke favor
ably of the good roads laws of the state
and said that he hoped they would be
continued.
The next speaker introduced was
William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska
When Mr.. Bryan entered the banquet
hall he was applauded vigorously and
when he rose to speak the applause
lasted some minutes. Mr. Bryan said
that he believed that the reason he had
been called the Boy Orator of the Platte
during the last campaign was because
the river Platte was full of sand, and
said that for the said reason his grocer
might well be called the Grocer of the
Platte" He said that if the occasion
was proper one to discuss political
questions he might suggest that out in
his country they have a way to help
collect debts without recourse to a col
lection agency. He referred to Lieut..
Governor Dewell, saying that he be-
-
debts if they had the money, and said
that western people wished to furnish
the money. He said that he believed
the best way to stop Inherent mer-
chants was to stop the number of
bankrupt stocks that go on the market.
To support a policy which causes bank
ruptcy and then attempt to keep such
stock from being sold he said was like
spreading the itch through a town and
then passing a law forbidding people to
scratch. He said that by exchange of
ideas we find truth, which grows in dis
cussion and not in seclusion. The more
people can be brought to exchange
ideas the better it is for each one. In
this age of the almighty dollar, people
become absorbed in their work and
on occasions such as the association
banquet they are lifted out of self.
Association tends to prevent unfairness
that creeps into business when a man
keeps to himself He said that people
are often apt to believe that other peo-
pie whom they have not met are bad
and those about whom this is believed
reciprocate, but when the two parties
come together the belief is overcome on
both sides.
The people of the west are sometimes
looked upon unfavorably by those of
the east, but he said that western peo-
pie are descended from eastern people,
and if they have faults, they are inher-
tied from faults. People of the east are
much concerned about an arbitration
treaty with England, but it would be
much better if they would cultivate
such a treaty with the people of their
own country.
Other speakers on the program were
Alexander Troup. Calvin s. Keats of
New York, Rev. George William Phil
lips, T. Attwater Barnes and Charles
W. Pickett. In his remarks Mr.. Barnes
proposed that the merchants Of the
city join in holding a merchants day
this next summer. He proposed that
each merchant arrange to sell certain
articles a cheaply as possible on such
a day and thereby draw the people of
the surrounding places to New Haven.