Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-02

W ! II
Another T. +. a. convention has be-
come T. p. A. history. the sort Of history
that Is never forgotten. and is always
remembered with thrill OF pleasure and
q wish that the whole thing might be
lived over again. The Louisville people
did things up right royalty. and all who
attended the convention will ever cherish
warm SPOT in their hearts for Louis
Williams. The delegation began TO assem-
BILE on the morning OF the 18th, and each
incoming train during the next twenty
four hours helped TO swell the crowd.
The boys OF the local post were on hand
TO give a hearty shake and cordial well
come when the trains pulled in. and quar-
tiers at the hotels were assigned In very
short order. Monday evening was spent
in renewing old acquaiutances and max
fng new ones; II was. indeed, beauutul
sight TO see old convention goers renew
ing pleasant acquaintance made at form
er conventions. After good nights rest
everybody was In good spirits ana READY
TO enjoy themselves 20 the fullest extent.
The convention was called to order Iues-
day ct 1890 A. M. in Library Hall by
Sam. r. Jones. chairman. Rev. homer
Il. Wilson. OF Fort Worth, Tex, our Ma
tional Chaplain. led in prayer with a Re"
beautifully chosen words. Mr. Jones then
introduced Charles L. Weaver, Mayor OF
louisville. who welcomed the delegates
and visiting T. T. AS with open arms
the KEYS OF the city were turned over
70 the boys, and the Chief Of Police was
Instructed 20 allow our members 10 do
as they pleased while in Louisville.
Charles r. Dufiin. National president, re-
sponded to Mayor Weaver in a very happy
manner. he threw a few bouquets at the
eAty. and showered the fair women or
kentucky with roses We should Ike
70 publish Mr.. Dufhn's speech. but as we
haya very limited space, and have one
of his which we consider better, VIII nave
70 pass this one up. Mr.. John A. Lee
ex-pational president, was next mtIo-
duced, and talked as follows on the
"Ethics OF the Road':
zone Of the great purposes of the Trav-
ellers' Protective Association OF America,
as set forth In its articles Of incorpora-
tion-pOssibly its greatest purposes de-
ecribed as the moral elevation or It's
membership In the presence OF TINS
pleased and delighted audience after such
eloouent words of welcome have been
spoken and such bright and inspiring
responses have been made, II may seem
Inappropriate that any one should pre-
sumo 10 touch a chord not entirely in
harmony with the joyous spirit Of the
OCCASION and yet the great charm OF all
discourse is the transition from gay TO
grave, from joyous mrth 10 serious
thought. and there is no condition or
mind or heart so ecstatic as wherein the
no ha
OF laughing eyes.
1.-THE term ethics has a broader signifi-
cation than | care to give 1t to-day in pre-
eenting my subject. for | desire merely
10 treat of the customs Of conduct as in
use by commercial travellers. Ii is some
times said. in unrehecting aud superficial
mood that the 'old-time drummer has
passed away and that he has given place
TO the modern commercial traveller II
by this is meant that the nobility OF
soul and great heart sympathy Of the
pioneer commercial traveller of twenty
five or more years ago have gone never
20 return, that his honest handshake and
hearty laugh. his indifference to danger
and discomfort. his cheerfulness in en-
during hardships. his Willingness TO help
a younger or less experienced or ac-
auainted craftsman, and his splendid spirit
experiences are departed forever, L am
grieved, deeply grieved to Know it; for
the world was better and brighter for his
presence in 1t, and / am moved 10 repeat
ooh. for the touch of a vanished hand.
And the sound OF voice that is still'
If the assertion means that the grand
and noble character l have described has
been replaced by the bedecked and per
Al. }. fff hoo. Z 4
cane socety's cuTlcd darling, the pet OF
school girls. the wearer OF the cap and
bells in the court circle of modern COM
merce, then in our aillction l am stll
more deeply grieved, and can but SYM
Iathize with good old Job when he De-
moaned his many troubles. But neither
OF these differences is correct, for when
81 is said by thoughtful and ubsorvant
men that the old-time drummer is gone
and that he has been succeeded by the
modern commercial traveller II Is as If
one had said that the rumbling but COM
Portable old stage-coach has been sue
ceeded by the express train; tnat the
good old brace of candles in brass can
dlesticks upon the mantelpiece has been
succeeded by the incandescent electric
light; that the man-of-war in her old
time might and majesty has been sue
ceeded by the modern battleship. with
all its grandeur and power
The ethics of the road are sometimes
aptiy illustrated by the anecdotes of the
road. A friend OF mine, when Informed
that my subject was TO be THE Ethics
OF the Road" suggested that antics Of
the Road" might be more appropriate TO
the occasion Many of ihC cid stories,
with which nearly all are familiar are
really condensed sermons upon THE
Ethics of the Road" The pomposity OF
the new man pIffed Up with self-import-
ance anu an Inflated opinion of his
house is set forth In the story about the
traveller who entered a retail merchants
office who was engaged in finishing an
important letter for the outgoing mail
The visitor on presenting his card, was
asked TO take a seat" He did not like
the unconventional reception. and re-
manning standing presented his card
again, and said; 81 apprehend that YOU
do not realize that / represent Jones &
Brown. the largest house Of its kind in
the world"
The merchant replied; "Ah. indeed:
take two seats
II one were TO write volume on un-
due self-infiation. the lesson could not be
more improssiyely taught.
The lesson OF patience and forbearance