The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-15

them.
They are tho indices Of tho enterprise
the progrcssivcucss, and If you Will the
aggressivoncss Of community IN this
struggling and competing age
A HIGH REPUTATION.
The Chamber enjoys "a high reputation
but 10 should To- a far greater extent be
a recognized power I'm this community
and guided by tine best Judgment of our
! business men and citizens, what Dc de-
cidcs upon. and after fun delibcraton DID
most cases should be accomplished. ana
FIN every instance command most respect
ful and attentive consideration.
Tn this respect there really appears 20
exist a radical defect in our habits as
community We do not ass people,
lack the virtues of public spirit and pa-
tri0tism when a sharp crisis imperaufeIF
calls forth tho exercise OF those virtues.
but we greatly fail in the achievements
which the persistent and united purpose.
the enlisted and unhaggng zeal of the
many. great and small, could accomplish,
and this lack OF active cooperation
, amounts to n lamentable degree of That
incivism which the ancent5 considered
crime.
1T is also am Injustice 70 the board Of
officers and directors of tho chamber
and 90 its active committee. IN invest
them with responsibilities and deny them
the means of discharging them.
ERA or PROSPERITY.
We are now undoubtedly entering upon
an era OF prosperity ana greater n.-iI'
activity. With f. tho occasion is im-
porative for means Of greater activity
and usefulness on the part OF the CHAM
Der and the Traffic Bureau
7 trust my fellow members VIII not con-
slider me- too frank or too forcihic in my
statements. bur n keen sense OF the me-
cossitv for fully measuring up to our
responsibilities and placing INC work and
the affairs Of the Chamber and tho franc
Bureau upon n more permanent ana more
efficient basis prompts me 70 speak thus
urgently.
Twelve months ago. nay even ELK
months ago. when We could not feel quito
confident Of the general situation.
should have seriously hcsitatod TO speak
thus freely and. no doubt my predeces-
e0rs I'm office have been restrained Boy inc
same consideration. feeling that all the
Chambers uttorances should De as en-
couraeing as possible when encourage
ment was sadly needed by our business
men: but now the circumstances. So cn-
tirely altered. seem TO warrant AZ this
annual meeting an earnest appeal in De-
half OF the Chamber itself
hone that &c should he comparatively an
easy task 10 accomplish what it so need
ful for the Chamber. and 7 suggest the
appointmcnt Of select committees. 10 CO.
operate with the Committee ON Member
ship and tho Inland Trade Committee.
I'm a decided movement for Increasing our
membership and the subscribers 10 our
Traffic bureau.
A TRIBUTE TO DIR. HOGE.
7 cannot conclude this report without
some reference 10 the loss so recently
sustained by this institution. I'm common
with many others. and. indeed. 10 may
he said bv the entire community. / re-
fer to tho sad departure from this lie
Of the Rev. DIR. Moses Drury ioge
OF his unparalleled ministry II IS NOT
our province or privilege 20 speak. others
have told more appropriately ana elo-
ouenuy Of that and it was known ana
read Of all men,"
But he had for a number OF years been
a member Of the Chamber. and. III we
recent past was the only minister N we
CITY upon our rolls From his broad PM
lantbroDv and sympathy with worthy eI-
forts and human interests OF every klnd' |
he was PROMPTED 70 unite himself with |
ours. as ne did within any other hon-sec-
tartan organizations. and his calnohc !
spirit endeared him 10 III NlNDN'' N'''-7N'
and avOcations. ,
am sure each member unites with |
mo an the feeling which suggests this |
feeble but sincere tribute OF respect 20 /
the honored memory or SO laHienteu
,nonobor who. I'm addition 20 his pre- |
en,inence rs a divine. was an exemplar |
10 ms all of the truest and highest man. |
hood and citizenship.
And now with consciousness or my
own shortcomings with cordial thanks !,
10 the officers. directors and members i
of the Chamber for the unfailing courtesy |
and consideration received at their /
hands. I surrender the Office with which |
You have 50 highly honored me. and sin /
cereiv hone the future ~ tho Chamber
will be all that its most ardent friends /
can desire. and which the happy condi- |
tons Of the present fully Justify them |
I'm expecting. Nerv respectfully
s. W. TRAVFRS.
President.