Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-04

president Business-Men'S ASsoclatlon)
city, but placed at the same time
license tax to the amount of the former
tax upon the capital invested. The mer-
chants became much agtated, Tearing
that the scheme would result in thelr
having to pay more money than hereto
fore TO the support OF the city, ana they
felt that they were unable TO 40 lhiS'
Several prominent merchants decided To
act at once, before the matter had taken
shape. A mass-meeting of merchants
was called for the evening or TUESDAY
March 2lst, at the Police Court. Those
present were Messrs i. j. Jones, a. }.
Daffron. Charles Burkert. ii. c. Beattie'
ID. l.. Toney. W. Il. Peasants, Roach,
c. NJ. Harnish. j. p. Robinson A. Il. Nc
Crone. Ct. X. lie Nier. Staples, ana II. IL.
Hagan. Mr. Daffron was made chairman
and Mr.. Burkert secretary.
The situation was discussed and the
following committee was appointed to
appear before the Ordinance committee
and have the proposed ordinance eNpidln-
ed to them as to its effect upon thelr
business: Messrs. Daffron, j. p. Robinson
and w. Is. Peasants.
The next evening this committee dld go
before the committees Of the Council, and
were convinced that the license tax an
fered from the tax on stock only in name.
Tbev co reported TO the merchants AT
another meeting. held the following nlght'
Thursday, March 23d.
AT this time il was suggested lhdt ivy
CITY. for ID best interests and material
adyancemest. ought TO have board OF
trade. one member thought 1t would De
well 10 revive the old board of trade
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION Eff
FECTED
The matter was held in allegiance, how
ever. but 1t was unanimously DECIDED
that another meeting should be held
Thursday afternoon, April 9th, at I
o'clock at Toneys Hall, Eleventh and
Iull streets. A permanent organization
Was effected at this time. Mr.. Daffron
was elected president; DR.. William +.
Mathews chosen vice-president; Mr.. Ga
renee Walden, secretary of the former
Board of Trade, elected secretary, ana
Mr. Charles Burkert, treasurer.
A committee was appointed to wait on
the members of the Executive Committee
of the old board TO solicit their help ana
interest in the revival Of the former body.
Some Of these gentlemen, so the commit
tee informally reported at the next meet
ing. a week later, seemed Httie mcilheu
to take any interest In the matter what
ever. Mr. u. J.. Pulliam made mOuoh
at this meeting that new organization
be effected, to be called the Business
Mems Association Of the city or Man.
chester. The motion was UNANIMOUSLY
carried. Mr.. Pulliam, Mr.. Burkert, and
DIR. Mathews were named a committee
TO draft a constitution and bylaws, ana
report a week from that time. The com
mittee at the next meeting recommended
the adoptlon of the constitution and by
laws of the former Board Of Trade, with
minor changes. ana the association ac-
cepted their report. The association.
through the president, appointed com
mittee TO solicit members and the secre-
tary was instructed to send out circular
letters to all the business concerns and
professionalism in the city. How we'll
the task thus set has been done the long
list OF members given below viii tell.
The ASSOCIATIONS OFFICERS.
1t is noticeable as soon as the roll OF
officers is called that they represent near
ly the entire business interests of the city.
The president, Mr.. Daffron, is furni-
ture dealer, and an enterprising man, with
n good deal of public spirit about him.
He was a member of the old board and,
convinced of the good results it was able
to accomplish, was one of the prime
movers IN the organization of the asso-
citation. He has been a merchant here
for a number of years. and is thoroughly
identified by choice as well as by per-
sonal interest with the prosperity and
growth Of Manchester.
DR.. Mathews the vice-president, Is one
Of the most public spirited men fl the
city. His father, DR.. T. p. Mathews, has,