The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-20
BIG BANQUET At P|TTSBURG
SECRETARY GAGE THE PRINCIPAL
SPEAKER OF THE EVENING.
He DiscOurses ON the Necessity of
a. stable and Notwithstanding
Currency, ~ ting Greatest Aid to
Industry, Trade and Commerce.

PITTSBURG, March l9.-The annual
banquet OF the Chamber of Commerce Of
Pittsburg. given al the DuQuesne club this
evening. at which Lyman j. Gage secre-
tary of the treasury OF the United States.
was the principal guest of honor and
speaker. proved the most pretentions and
important affair OF the kind ever attempt
ed by this organization. Other banauets
given by the Chamber OF Commerce nave
been of purely local character That
OF tonight was OF q national character
and Importance.
The decorations were the finest and most
artistic ever seen In the Duauesne club
and the menu was elaborate and unique.
The banquet began promptly al O'clock
with rs guests seated at three long tables
extending the entire length Of the BAN
quoting hali. The speakers were seated
al the center of the first table facing the
entrance Banker William r. Thompson
was the toastmaster. President John
Bindley. of the Chamber OF Commerce de-
hvered the address of welcome. responding
to the toast THE Chamber OF Commerce.
Its Duties and Responsibilities" Secre-
tary Gage spoke or American Enterprise:
some OF Its Trials and Achievements
Mr.. Gage said In part:
IF We would promote productivity,
commerce and trade. We should try to en-
courage and maintain these conditions fa-
ToraDle To- Just confidence OF man IN man,
and the confidence Of man In the future
The producer Of raw material narts with
MS product In the faith that the manu-
faeturer TO whom be transfers it will in
aiae course. be not only willing but will
possess the ability 20 pay for II. Like
wise. the manufacturer disposes OF his
wares TO the wholesale merchant. moved
by the similar faith. TIE wholesale 1ler-
chant. IN turn. sells 10 the retailer on cred
IL terms, in the belief that this man. the
ast In the order OF distribution will find
MS credit, extended n small! sums 10 the
mechanic and laborer. safe and serure.
Whatever disturbs these general faiths
and condolences uusett.es commerce and
Gsstarbs Industry. Jnhappiy. the dis
turbing Influences are numerous and by
fering and ruin result Wars, the fears OF
war, crop failures. widespread Industrial
roY0ltS. shocks arising from the BETRAYAL
OF great ndueiary dusies--thsse are some
OF the adverse ltsiiuer yss. But none Of
these, nor several OF ttjsfn assoc! atei. are
as harmful as are the doubts aad fears
which arise frcm the apprehension OF A
rad.ca. change In the money standard 20
which all commodities and ali credits
stand firmly related
And yet we find great party. In blind
disregard Of this fact placing as a foun-
dation stone 70 their political doctrine. a
proposition charged with the most d.
struetiye consequences 70 cur commercial
ard Industrial life. This proposition il
urged apon the people with a fanatic zeal
which would inspire adm ration If enlisted
IN = useful and noble cause. But IL is a
zeal born Of noD-reason. stimulated by
prejudice and led by passion No wonder
HAT conservative interests u,.te 70 oppose
Il.
In spite Of the unse,tling influence Of
their doctrines. which have again and
again alarmed 1e forces that make for
progress. which have more than once sent
capital into hiding. crippled Industry and
se2t sabpr into idlsness. the evidences are
everywhere tina; we are n state o. prog
Eess, net aeegdenEe
DO not tae most prudential cons.aera-
lions dictate adhesion 30 "a money stand
ard which has been co1te1nl Eane5szs wtts
tais great progress, X not an eiticien, fac
tor .hege!aT
Second only IN importance 10 . sound