The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-06-14

convention Of the Southern Industrial
A~ssociat1on was formally opened in
horticulture hall at 10 o'clock this
morning and will continue in session
until Friday. Several hundred dele
gates representing all the southern
states were present.
native weather greeted the delegates
ana the visitors from the south were
gwen a fair idea Of northern hospital
ity IN the warm and hearty welcome
OF h citizens.
ofnce buildings and business houses
IN the centre of the city are gay with
bunting and flags, and at night a bril-
liant electrical display will greet the
members Of the association from al
ides Of h city hall.
Preparations for the convention have
Deen In progress for several months
and no effort has been spared to make
the gathering successful
The Southern Industrial Association
IS composed of numerous commercial
bodies and is regarded as one of the
most important organizations in the
United States. This years convention
is held in this city with the object prin-
cipally of giving a wider knowledge of
the south's and to discuss
measures looking to h welding of the
interests of the north and south.
The convention was called to order
by President II. H. Hargrove, of the
association.
Governor William a. Stone, of Penn
sylvania, aroused the enthusiasm of the
delegates in his address of LEONE
by\frequent reference to the .pIendid
resources of h south. Governor
Stone said in part:
There never was but ore period in
our history when we We're not glad
to see the representatives of the south
We hope to make our relations more
neighborly. We want to trade with you.
We realize the south is the greatest
mission field for commerce in the world.
We recognize that is inspir-
ed by the hope of profit and not senti-
ment. The south produces I~wo-thirds
of all the cotton in the world, and
make very little of the finished prod
uct.
IF we can make steel products and
tin plates in this city and undersell
Wales, you can make cotton products
and underselI England. What the south
needs is not carpetbaggers but carpet
bags full of capital. We make many
things you need and you produce things
we need. Let US sell to each other.
We do not care who has the balance
of trade. We are one people, speaking
n language under one flag"
A feIicitious address of welcome was
made by Mayor Samuel H. Ashbridge
during which he presented President
Hargrove with the keys of the city.
John H. Converse, president of the
Baldwin Locomotive Works, and At
torney j. F. Lewis, welcomed the dele
gates in behalf of the commercial Or
CARNATIONS of the city.
In responding to the address of well
come, President Hargrove spoke Of the
of the southern states.
1.-The southern states,' said Mr.. Har-
grove, contain one-fourth of the area
of the union, and the territory has prac-
tically as great an agricultural pro-
duction as the remainder Of the coun-
try combined. Its capacity in raw ma
terial is almost beyond measurement
This section has S3 per e of the
population of the United States. 1t
raises all of its cotton and cotton seed
and American rice, so per cent. OF its
tobacco. contains 65 per cent. of its
timber resources, so per cent. of its
coal area, 20 per cent. of its coal pro-
duction; produces 11h per cent. OF It's
iron, and furnishes so per cent. OF the
American pig iron exported; is the
third largest cane g production
section of the world; contains more
= coast and river frontage than all the
other states; has 80 per cent. Of rail
road mileage and affords the cheapest
lumber building material. lands cotton
coal and oil and living in the United
States"
Tn concluding, President HargroVe
said the south possesses everything
EXCEPT adequate population and hnance
to forge the section ahead Of the resi-
of the world.
covernor 4. II. Longino, of Missis-
sinni. followed President HargroVe II
q patriotic address.
Mayor higgins, Of Waco IeXas' was
+ba last sneaker. He asserted Ie
south had forgotten the late uifpieaS
antness and was anxious TO JOIN
with the north for the conrhercia
benefit of both sides.
This afternoon the delegates div
ladies Of the party enjoyed an eNcul.
sion on the Delaware river VlsIIints
points OF interests on the river iion.
-L H@n1%A