The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-24
As Has Been the Whole Country
During the Past Year.
MAJOR JAS. R. BRANCH THERE.
He Appears in His Uniform as Colonel
Of fImmuncs Amidst Enthusiastic
AppIause-iiis Report as
Secretary Of the AssO-
citation. Was TX.
haustivc.

DENVER. COL. Aug. 23-Thc twenty
fourth annual meeting Of the American
Bankers Association convened at 10
o'clock to-day at the Broadway Theatre.
Most Of the five hundred delegates ex-
pected were IN their seats when President
Joseph c. Hendrix raped for order.
After roll call Governor Alya Adams.
OF Colorado. welcomed tho association
to tho state. Governor Adams, himself
bank president. made a rather long
address, IN which he good-naturedly crih-
sized many OF the methods Of modern
banking. Iie advocated a postal saving
banking syctem and a government guar
antce for all deposits IN national banks.
Mr. Joseph A. Thatcher, president OF
| tho Denver clearinghouse, delivered an
| address of welcome on behalf Of Denver
bankers President Hendrix spoke in rec
! sponse to the words OF welcome, follow
ing those remarks with his annual ad-
dress to the association. lie said IN OPEN
! ing:
MIR. HENDRIN'S SPEECH.
Since our last annual gathering so
! many things have occurred thar 10
| is difficult 10 choose which of them 10
discuss Indeed, the temptation is 10
maintain silence, or, according 90 our
| business habit, 90 observe, 10 reflect, 20
consider and 10 say no more than IS
necessary. Custom. however, compels an
| opening address, but ont Of the abund-
ance Of food for thought what shall one
select? From the time we parted year
| ago at DetrOit-all wondering az the
commerce upon the great inland seas OF
| the North, and the future IL bctokened-
| until We started TO Denver 90 get rest
| and new ideas. we have been busy men,
| and ours has been busy country. we
| have seen the fog OF depression lift, the
| sunshine Of prosperity come. We have
! seen difficult problem. and acute ccndi-
! tions, which pcrplexcd the learned and
! confused the experienced, disappear as
| fever leaves the body and the restless
actice. progressive American business
| spirit resume its old-time dominion. The
Republic. which but a short time ago
seemed to I'm some hearts with despair
has so unfolded it's flag that The sun cam
not set upon it, and the whole world has
! increased respect for tho army and navy
| Of the United States.
, SECRETARY's REPORT.
| Secretary James II. Branch then read
| his annual report The secretary, who
| appeared I'm his uniform Of major OF the
| Seventh United states Immune Infantry,
| was received with enthusiastic applause.
| in closing his report Mr. Branch said:
The association Is not only steadily in
| creasing I'm numbers. but in practical and
! far-reaching benefits 20 fits members and
! tho country at large Part Of this pro-
| gress is owing to the fact that az present
| not a single dscOrd mars the steady beat
| or harmony of our advancing steps. This
! has allowed the officers throughout the
| country. by united efforts. TO place the
! American Bankers Association on
| higher plane than It has ever reached be-
| fore.
Mr.. Walker Hir Of ST. Louis treasurer
Of the association, read his annual report.
/ lt showed receipts and balance from last
! year. Slol2u, disbursements, S33,s25, bal
ance, $65.206.
The report Of the Auditing Committee
was read, after which the report OF the
| Protective Committee was presented.
The report of the Executive Council was
! read by the chairman, Mr.. Alva H. Trow-
| bridge. OF New York. After reviewing
| the work Of the committee Mr. Trow-
| bridge read letter from the Railroad
| Freight Association, suggesting better
methods in the matter OF drafts accom-
panylng bills Of lading and asking for a
| joint coumitteo to take action. The as
| sociation agreed TO the request. Upon
| association adopted "a resolution recon-
mending that a government committee be
created TO study the financial systems OF
| Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, ana
/ suggest amendments thereof If any are
| deemed necessary.
Committees were authorized to inquire
| into rates and forms of surety bonds and
| TO suggest q standard form for ware
house receipts and bills OF ladng.
II L.
| Committee on Uniform Laws, made the
report of that committee. which was in
| part as follows:
THE negotiable instrument law which
we are endeayOring 10 have passed Is
very fortunate In having been tried for
sixteen years in Great Britain and ail-its
colonies 1t has been indorsed by experts
! in law i'm thirty OF the states or the
| Union. Much opposition has been eX-
pressed TO the law because IL abolishes
days Of grace. and, astonishing TO say,
this opposition manifests itself more
strongly in the New England States than
anywhere else.
"The task Of attempting 10 pass this
law in all the States Is one Of herculean
proportions. but from the experience OF
| The past winter. your committee believes
It can be brought 10 a successful issue.
| The law Is now in force in Connecticut.
| Massachusetts,
The report Of the Committee Of Edu-
/ cation, was presented by William Corn
! well.
/ Resolutions were adopted expressing
/ the regrets of the association upon the
death OF Thomas Ridgeway, at Shawnee
/ town. Pa.
After the adjournment Of the session.
the delegates from each State and terri
tory had meetings for the purpose OF
| choosing the members of nominating
| committees.
| The afternoon was spent by the greater
number OF the delegates and visitors I'm
! sightseeing. though some canvassing for
various cities FOR the next convention.
Several candidates for each OF the
minor Offices We're suggested, but II is
conceded that George Russell. of Detroit.
will be the next president OF the associa-
| ton.
From p. NJ till midnight the visitors
were entertained al a reception by the
| Denver Clearing House Association al
Il