The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-22
IT WENT A BEGGING
Board of Trade Can't Get
Any One to Accept Its
]. Presidency.
DIDN'T TRY JOE DEAR, however
Mr.. Corcoran Reliuquishes the
Chair in a Decidedly Dis
gruntled Manner.
DIDN'T TRY JOE DEAR, HOWEVER

The Board of Trade held its annual
meeting last night and elected the follow
ing new set of officers
President, James c.. Haskins; first vice
president, Myron J. Furst; second vice
president, D. E. Cleary; third vice presi-
dent, B. F. Sloane; secretary. u J. TAFT;
treasurer. Frank~J. Stevens. Directors
H. V. Condict, John ]. Voorhees,, S. w.
Mount, Robert Andrews. James. Leo,
Frank o. Cole, James t. Cough, James p.
Hall, Joseph A. Dear, William Z. Drake
and A. ]. Corcoran.
Mr.. Corcoran, who has served two years
as president, declined to stand for an
other term. The honor seemed to go
begging. Several members names were
mentioned in connection with the nomina
ton, including that of James Hall. Mr..
Haskins declared he would not accept the
position, and would not allow it to be
forced Upon him.
In retiring from the office Mr.. Corcoran
made a speech, in the course of which he
alluded to the embarrassment of a newly
elected president in rising to make a
speech at the annual dinner, glancing
down between row of professional speak
ers, all of whom are just waiting for each
other, SO as to get a rap at the other fell
low" Mr.. Corcoran declared that the
president hould be thoroughly expert
enced and familiar with the affairs of the
Board before being placed in sue a po-
sition. The address should be given at
the end of his term.
The Board of Trade of Newark, he de-
clared, did not ask its president to har-
angue on such an occasion.
Mr.. Corcoran further said he was thank
full for the support he had been given as
president. He thanked the committees for
the aid he had received at their hands.
Despite criticism, he declared the Board
had accomplished much by hare work.
It's work in connection with s.equal taxa
ton, free and open market for grocer
ies,'' South Cove" and the water ques-
ton was well known and appreciated.
Il would rather. he said, have the
name of member of officer of the Board of
Trade than any paid position in this city.
The Board is composed of self-sacrificing
business and professional men, who have
principles of their own
Mr.. Corcoran, however, criticised the
stay-at-hones and the pouters, abiding
to one case of an ex-member who drop
ped out because the Board had sanctioned
the placing blythe Pennsylvania Railroad
Company of an iron column IN Newark
avenue. n That member had not even
attended the meeting at which action was
taken. The speaker alluded to ex-JudSe
Blairss Characterization of the Board as
a small but respectable body."
Il would sooner he said, sbe small
and respectable than a great big ioafer-
The Board of Trade has created the en-
nifty of politicians. We are not in their
favor. But We are taxpayers looking to
the raising of money 10 increase the rev.
enues of the city. We are honest; / get
it from Republicans and Democrats. It's
You set of cranks down there, from both
wherever l meet them, on the street or
~ferryboat. / had to take it from a mem
Der of the Finance Board a few days ago.
Politicians are birds of prey floating
around preying upon the crumbs of indus
try
Frank Cole looked at James Hall, and
other members looked at each other. All
smiled, some laughed. Mr.. Corcoran
looked slightly abashed.
present company OF course, excepted,
he said. Then he continued
Il have succeeded in getting the enmity
of the Democratic boss. l have succeeded
in getting the enmity of the Democratic
Republican boss. Civ me a mar who will
speak out his mind. l think a man does
more good outside his party than in it."
DR.. L. J. Gordon introduced the following
resolution. which was adopted unani-
mously:-
Resolved, That the consensus of opin-
ion of this Board is that the retiring pres
ident should preside at the annual dim
ner succeeding the election at which his
successor was elected, and that he be
privileged, if he SO desires, to name a
member of the Board who shall preside
at the nnual dinner"
A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to
Mr.. Corcoran for the able and impartial
manner in which he had presided over the
Board while president thereof.
II would rather have that thanfa thou
sand dollars" responded the retiring pres
ident.
Mr.. Haskins would not take the chair.
despite the appointment of a committee
to escort him thereto.