The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-21
Mr.. w. N. JONES ELECTED
RALEIGHS PROGRESS IN THE
PAST YEAR Is NOTABLE.
RECOMMENDATIONS BY
PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
They Contain Suggestions that Can be Acted
Upon With Advantage 10 the City.
The New Officers.

annual meeting last Dl-Hb. j TX Ee40A -
of President Raney, Secretary Allen
and Treasurer Ward showed the use
fulness of the Chamber Of Commerce
and the growth and progress of the city
Of Raleigh. These reports viii even
surprise the citizens of Raleigh. few of
whom have kept up fully with the city
growth during the past year.
Mr.. Rnney declined a reelection, ana
the Chamber gave him a vote Of thanks
for his services TO the Chamber and has
excellent address.
The following officers We're unanimous
IL elected for the ensuing year:
President--W. \. Jones.
First President-J0sephus Dan
iels.
Second Wee President-Jos. Z. Pogne
Third Vice President-Jesse A. Jones.
Treasurer. T. Ward.
Secretary-George Allen.
Assistant cretary-CharIes Pearson.
Upon taking the chair appropriate ana
fitting remarks, which were warmly APP
pIauded were made by Mr.. Jones, the
president-elect. Remarks of interest
and value were made by Hon. X. III.
Battle Capt G. Il. benson, w. L. Ash
ley anu olhsI5'
PRESIDENT RANEY'S ADDRESS.
The report Of the retiring President,
Mr.. Raney, in full, is as follows
The Members Of the Raleigh Chamber of
Commerce and Industry:
Gentlemen: Every citizen Of Raleigh
is a subject of congratulation on its re-
cord for the past year. Progress is evt-
dent all around us, but it Is probably
most pronounced in the comparative con-
dition of the streets. for in the last twelve
months not less than thirteen miles or
our avenues have been graded, num-
Der of blocks have been macadamized,
twenty-six miles of sidewalks have
been made TO conform with an equal dist
ance OF hnrd granite cnrbing, and larg"
percentage of the mileage has been paved
with hard bricks or cement. Notwitn-
standing this. the fund for street i'm
nrovements, owing to the good manage
ment of the city's excellent street cont
mittee, is by no means exhausted; and
lis much OF the work Is now in i'm I'M
finished state. the following year viii
show apparently better results than the
last 1t is learned that carefully planted
trees, the most approved for street pur-
poses, will follow the grading of the
streets in due season, and the final re-
suit will be city unexceled for beauty
and unapproached in the South as
place in which TO live-in which to have
home. In consequence of the above,
marked enhancement of real estate
yalnes in Raleigh is already acknow-
edged, and il can be safely said that
every dollar wisely spent in street i'm
proyements viii add two dollars to the
value Of adjacent property.
Our people during the past year have
been prosperous; our merchants have
done profitable business: there have
been no failures OF consequence, and
our army OF the unemployed las been
mustered ont This fortunate state Of
affairs. prevailing during season when.
owing to the war, general suspension
of active business should have been ex-
pected, has been owing greatly to the
mobilization Of two regiments of infantry
in our environs, who have spent, it has
been estimated, over seyenty-five thou
sands of dollars in our midst.
A most important development during
the year is the present status of the
Government army post. The committee
empowered to solicit funds and select
the site report that a sufficient amount
has been subscribed by responsible par
ties to purchase a location which will
be acceptable to the Government I'M
der normal conditions it is probable that
favorable action on the matter would
have been taken at Washington prior to
this time: now that the war is practical
ly over and as our standing army will
doubtless be largely increased, it is to be
hoped that the gentlemen in whose hands
this important matter is placed will
bring it to n successful issue at the
earliest practicable moment It's eStlb-
lishment here would contribute more 70
the life and wealth of our city than can
be conceived by those unacquainted with
the history Of such institutions else
where.
Another probable enterprise is the
brewry proposed by PENNSYLVANIA capi-
talIsts, which would, it is claimed. mate
rally decrease the consumption of spir-
ituous liquors, give employment to many
of our citizens, and offer to our farmers
another and more profitable money crop
than cotton or tobacco.
You have given through your commit
tee considerable attention to the estab-
lishment of a much be-desired textile
school in Raleigh and favora BILE, but not
immediate, results are anticipated: and
your agitation of the subject of good
county roads must eventually be pro-
ductive of better thoroughfares leading
to me city,
These items are especially mentioned
for the reason that you should claim a
large share of credit in connection with
them. 1t is true that you did not inau-
gurate the street improvements, but for
several years you have ardently advocat-
ed the issue of the bonds which made
them practicable, and have in other ways.
through your most efficient committee
appointed for the purpose rendered nil
the aid in your power. The establish
ment of the camps Of the North Carolina
volunteers at Raleigh was secured direct
ly through the Chamber, and when the