The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-11
OTHER OFFICERS CHOSEN
THE PAST HAS BEEN A YEAR OF
PROGRESS AND EXPANSION.
HOW RALEIGH HAS GONE FORWARD
A Summary Of the Growth and Enterprise
Which Nave Characterized Raleigh
During the Past Twelve
Monthc


The Chamber Of Commerce held its
annual meeting in the mayors office last
night. Several important matters were
discussed and steps taken to give well
come and provide for the entertainment
Of the immense crowd expected at the
State Fair next week
1t was the occasion for taking a look
at the past year, and the reports OF
the officers showed progress along all
lines. The officers who have been eff
cient and popular, We're all reelected.
Mr. w y. Jones, president, declined re-
election, but he has made such a model
officer that the Chamber declined to
accept his declination and reelected him
by acclamation. 1t was deserved vote
of confidence in one of the most use
ful and philosophical citizens of Raj
eieh. As president of the Chamber he
has been leader in all the ways that
have contributed to Raleigh's growth
and prosperity.
Mr.. George Allen has made a model
secretary and Mr.. Frank Ward model
secretary. Both We're reelected by ac-
clamation. Josephus Daniels was re-
elected First vice-President; Joseph Il.
Pogue, Second vice President. and
Jesse a. Jones, Third Vice-President.
THE PRESIDENTS ANNUAL AD-
The annual address by the President,
W. \. Jones, ESQ.,, was read by him,
and is as follows, being published here
with i'll response to resolution by the
Chamber requesting its publication:
Raleigh. y. c.. Oct 10. 1899
To the Members of the Chamber of Com
merce of the City of Raleigh:
Gentlemen: 1t has been cne year
since the election Of the officers Of the
Chamber, and according to custom
make the regular annual report expected
ef che President.
The year has been one of unusual pros
perity to the city. In no one year has
There been greater advancement than
tine one just closed-iwhether we con-
s.der the increase of the population of
the town or the money expended in
buildings and other improvements. We
do not know what the increase in popI-
lation the past year has been, but we
know it has been considerable, and that
there is constant and steady increase.
We know too that a few years ago, ac
eording to enumeration the city had a
population of about 1J.000no those
who recently took a censals of the town
and it's immediate suburbs tell us that
our population is nearly COCOA popu-
lation that makes our city one OF quite
respectable proportions.
While the increase in numbers has
thus been rapid the erection of build
ings and other improvements have kept
pace with the population 1T is estlmat
cd that fully 100000 have been ex.
pended in the erection and repair of
buildings the present year to say nothing
of the amount expended upon THE streets
and sidewalks. Our builders and ma
terial mem have found it difficult to snip
ply the demands made upon them, and
Ctr mechanics and laboIing people have
had all the work they could do. The
YEAR has been q busy ONE for the city.
and those who are ol,seryant predict that
the immediate fttnre viii show "a more
rapid increase in population and mateG.ial
improvement than has yet been witness
ed
The natural inquiry presents Itself
what has brought this about? There is
no doubt that better industrial cont:-
tions generally in the country have hal
much to do with it, but much also-ln
fact, most OF it may be attributed to
the efforts put forth by oar own people,
A few years ago Raleigh, while recoe-
niZed ms an educational and political
centre had bait few manufacturing enter
prises, as is often the case with State
capitals. At that time some of our lead
ing business men, among whom were
r. s. Tucker w. c. Upchurch, r. s.
pnllen, and W. III. Pace, now dead and
others in discussing the industrial sit
uation here in the Chamber. determined
to make am effort to establish manufac-
turing enterprises in the town. 1t was
them that the North Carolina Wagon
now the Mills Manufacturing Company.
temblacing the Farina Roller MillsJ the
Caraleigh Cotton Mills AND Fertilizer
Companies and the Raleigh Cotton Mills
had their origin. These public spirited
citizens whose names are mentioned did
not live to see the frlition Of their ef-
forts. They saw these enterprises GO
ing through the struggles sometimes i'm
cIdent to infant industries but those of
us who remain know how wisely and
well they wrought for the city's good.
Those industries We're all established by
the associated efforts of our business
men. They are now ON a firm foundation
great benefit to the city and joy to
their stockholders as we'll as those who
trade with their operatives. United eff
fort did the work.
Since these manufacturing enterprises
We're commenced they have been very
much enlarged and another large cotton
niill-The Pilot, has been established. n
mill that has been a success from the
first, being owned and conducted by MIR.
w. 1T. Williamson. who has heredity and
training in the cotton mill business. This
mill, as is generally the case with cotton
mslls, mas proved a population promoter.
4 thrifty village has sprung UP about the
mill composed for the most part of the
operatives, and the community is in
creasing in numbers so fast that it has
necesstated the purchase of land for
building purposes by the owner Of the