Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-14
ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CHAM
DER, SUCCEEDING MIR. HALVES.
OTHER new OFFICERS VOTED FOR.
Mr. T.. ". Morris ana MIR. Henry T..
Cnbcii First aud Second Vicc-PresI-
dcnfs-The Efficient Retiring Om-
GERS Annual Report.

I
submitted his report, which was hear
with interest and profound appreciation
The report was as follows.
The newspapers recently have teeme'
with able and exhaustive reports con
corning our city and its varied Interest,"
for the past year. which YOU bave doubt
less read. You viii lhave noticed from
these reports that, Notwithstanding The
trying times passed through, the business
OF Richmond shows an Improvement upor
the preceding year. and that the outlool
is encouraging. The facts and figures
published being so fresh in your memo
ries. l will not dwell upon them in my
talk TO you this evening. I win simply
and briefly allude 70 a few matters with
direct reference to our Chambers work
and condition.
Our membership is COS. Let me empha-
size the necessity of increasing this mem
bershipl Every one interested in our
! city should do something to strengthen
| the hands of the Chambers active work
ers. Those who are in the front, bearing
the "heat and burden" of work for this
city's adva ncement would be greatly en-
cOuraged did they know that the SYM
pathy and monetary aid Of the general
public was behind them. II costs only
$40 per year to become Il member Of this
organization, and that furnishes the
'sinews Of war" TO the commercial army.
The successful conduct of the business
interests of this city rebounds 10 the
benefit of every one who has his habita-
force this assertion All who send in
their names for membership will help
their city and themselves.
BEAUTY OF OUR CITY.
DO you ever take time to look upon
the beauty of this royal city, and do you
realize what legacy is yours in its his
toric associations? Let me suggest that
you leave the din and dust of your busi-
ness streets now and then. and go 10
some overlooking hill. and see how
beautiful for situation" our Richmond
Isl She should be the pride and JOY of
the whole Statei RichmOnd's interests
and those Of the State OF Virginia should
be the same! The capital city should be
cherished by the stated There is no
county which has not a son or kinsman
here Moreover she takes to her heart
every true man who comes to cast I'm his
lot WITH us-frOm whatever section Of our
broaf country he may hail-and holds
~. as her own.
The past year has been pull all to-
gether' one as regards this Chamber of
Commerce. No committee has shirked
its duty, nor has there been any halting
or hesitation in a single instance where
duties have been imposed. calling for
work from members of the Chamber
Lack of cooperation is a thing of the
pastl This state of affairs is pleasant
10 look back upon and an earnest of he
energy and enthusiasm Of the future. /
congratulate my successor upon having
such y body Of men at his back. who
are ready and willing TO work for the
good Of our ethyl
l thank you. my friends. for all Of your
courtesy TO me as your presiding officer
Yl.lff
dent has there been any storm of dis
sension upon this floor. OF course there
have been differences Of opinion. but gem
tie courtesy has ruled the hour in every
debate.
COURTESY IN BUSINESS LIFE.
Life is too short to leave the charm OF
courtesy out Of Businessmen livesi I'VE
pass this way but oncer' Let us always
remember it, The fragrance Of pleasant
speech remains for all time to bless him
who receives il. and IS a pleasant after
thought TO the one who gives il. Posi-
bly, this line of speech may seem some
what out of order as strictly business"
talk. You Will. l am sure. cOndone il. |
when you realize that | am looking back
upon twenty-five years OF service as =
director and officer of this Chamber, az
ring which time l have formed so many
friends in the organization who have be- |
come dear TO me.
l take pleasure in bearing witness 10 |
the efficiency and indefatigable work of |
our secretary. Mr.. X. a. Dunlop / have |
not words 10 express my full apprecia- !
ton of his admirable work and unfail- |
ng interest in all that pertains TO the |
good Of the Chamber.
Our Traffic bureaus work speaks for
tselt. The manager. Mr.. r.. s. Goodman.
S the incarnation Of figures working for |
he good OF our city. LetSme impress
ipon you the necessity of earnest and
persistent interest i'm this bureau. II has
aved 10 this city thousands OF dollars.
md is invaluable 20 all merchants In
conclusion, ! again thank you for all
'ourtesy shown me. have appreciated
I from the bottom Of my heart. ana
hail carry your kind thoughtfulness I'm
memory until life shall end.
May God bless you. leach and every
me-! ). II. HAYES, President.
After the applause expressive OF the
ceiling with which the members Of the
Chamber listened TO the kind and charac-
eristc expressions contained in the re-
,ort Of the president, the report Of the
reasurer was submitted and referred to
he Committee on Finance.
MR.. TRAvERs FOR president.
Mr.. Halves said as it was a well known
md accepted fact that he could no longer
pc considered in connection with the
fiice Of president, he would take the
liberty Of retaining his seat TO facilitate
he proceedings of the meeting until ne
ould surrender il to his successor and
nnounced as the first business in order
he election of president for the ensuing
ERIN. After a pause, indicative of the
egret Of every one I'm the audience TO
axe any step looking to the severance !
T the official ties which had 50 pleasant
, existed during the incumbency Of
ir. Halves, Judge Christian was called
pom 10 make a nomination. In response
e said while he did not know that it was
is particular function to do this, as he
ad been aware for some time that Mr..
iawes would retire on this occasion and
Or some reasons personal TO Mr. Halves
G fully approved of this decision he
'ould take the greatest pleasure in nOmi-
ating the gentleman who, i'm his opinion,
'Ould be his most worthy successor. lie
aid he alluded to Mr.. 5. w. Ira
ers, the first vice-president Of the Cham {
er, who, though resident of Richmond |
n much shorter time than either Mr.
awes or himself, had from the moment
his coming to Richmond identified
mself most actively and earnestly with Y
ar every interest. {
Colonel John b. Purcell, in secondine /
lie nomination Of Mr.. Travers. said n,
,uld bear testimony to the active in (
ngent, and faithful service of Mr.. G
ravers as a member of the Chamber. [
chairman Of important committees. as G
rector. and as both second and first (
ce-president; that in none of these DO i
tons had the Chamber ever had a more Ii
alous or efficient member. Colonel Pur- n
II added loosely that he, also, came h
Richmond after Judge Christian and
To- sffu t.I 70 a