The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-19
Reciprocity Delegates Begin
Their Convention.
GREETINGS SENT TO THE PRESIDENT.
Confusion Precedes Adoption Of
the Visitors Wei
coined by Mr. Macfarland.
Election of Ofhcers.


Raleigh. Men representing almost every
mercantile industry in the UNited States.
and standing for the investment Of hun
drcds Of millions Of dollars Of capital
were present when the first session OF
the National Reciprocity Convention was
called 10 order.
The delegates numbering about two
hundred, have that keen appearance, ac-
tiy.ty. AID aggressive spirit which char
acterizc the American business man. They
are all men Of experience. some OF them
Of wide and varied experience. in the con-
duct Of successful enterprises, in the pro-
duction Of those things which have
brought their country 10 the front as one
Of the greatest commercial nations OF
the wcrld. A majority Of the delegates
are either Of middle age. or past the me-
ridi1n Of life.
But there is also a liberal sprinkling Of
the younger element, men young in years,
vet old in the knowledge which they pos
sess Of what constitutes successful busi-
ness
To Expand American Trade
They have met for an interchange Of
thought and opinion as 70 the best
method Of increasing American trade with
foreign countries Their discussions viii
De limited to the subject OF reciprocity.
but as this is topic Of aImost~boundIess
proportions the scope Of the work Of the
convention is very broad
Preliminary organization was effected
this morning, and an address delivered by
the permanent chairman. Theodore c.
Search, Of Philadelphia. the Chairman Of
the National Association Of Eanufactur-
ers, under the auspices CT which the con-
ference is being held Then an adjourn
ment was taken until o'clock this after
noon. az which time the delegates recon
vencd.
Greeting to the President.
During the morning the convention be
came somewhat confused over a PROPOSE
tion intended TO send greeting 20 the
president CT the United States. It was
/ not because there was not an ardent de-
sire On the part OF every man present TO
. advise Mr.. Roosevelt Of the organization
CT the convention. and 20 send him con
gratulations upon his administration and
an assurance CT faith in his purposes. but
il Was because the delegates went at the
matter blindly.
For fifteen or twenty minutes dozen
or more delegates discussed a resolution.
the purDort OF which tEcy did not know.
for it had not been read. They insisted
upon rules being enforced before there
were any rules adopted for the govern
mcnt Of the proceedings OF the meeting.
After the officers Of the convention had
been chosen. Mr. Ludwig Nessen. OF New
York. arose 10 offer a resolution
4 storm of Protests.
Before he could state what il was there
were protests from a haIf-d0zen mem
bers. who insisted that all resolutions
. should be referred to the committee on
resolutions. After a time someone ask
ed what the resolution was. and the
chairman, Mr. Search, stated that is OBJ
ject was 10 send a proper note Of greeting
TO the President Of the United states.
When the delegates appreciated the alb
surdiJy Of the opposition there vas an
Ouyburst Of laughter. A motion was
made that the resolution be read. In
stead a substitute was carried adopting
the report CT the committee on rules.
Then unanimous consent was given TO Nj.
Nesscn to read his resolution without re-
ferrIng il 20 the committee On resoIu-
tions. as provided by the rules.
Mr. Nesson read the following resolu-
tion. prefacins it by saying that he want
ed its adoption 10 be the first official act
Of The convention
The Resolution.
Resolved. That we the representatives
Of manufacturing interests Of every
shade and character. and from every sec
tiOn OF the United States. in convention
assembled, send greeting to our houored
President. Theodore Roosevelt
THAT we extend TO him our fullest and
unCusstioned confidence in his patriotism
and his true devotion TO the very best
interests Of his country and that we bid
him Godspeed in his lofty purposes OF
giving his country an Administration Of
It's national affairs that shall win for him
the approval and goodwill Of all its peo-
pie: and
Resolved, That this resolution be en-
tered upon the records of Jhis convention
as its first official act. and that We forth
with transmit a copy OF the same TO the
President"
The resolution was unanimously adopt
ed
The meeting was called 10 order by J.
A. jeffrey. Of Columbus. Ohio. and d. A.
Tompkins. Of Charlotte. y c.. acted as
| temporary secretary. Commissioner Mac
| garland was then introduced and among
| other things said.
/ Mr. NHcfHrIaHd's Welcome.
| The National Capital heartily welcomes
+ this distinguished and representative
| gathering Il appreciates the character of
! the delegates the Importance of the vast
/ interests which they represent. and of the
! great questions which are 20 De discussed
! in the next few days. The future we'll
! being OF the Republic brought by unex-
aupIed progress and prosperity into new
/ relations with the other nations of the
/ earth. is involved in the questions which
/ YOU are To consider. The victories OF
] Manila Bay and Santiago. and the no less
/ significant victories Of our huauciers and
| manufacturers, on the threshold Of the
| new century marked the new position OF
| the United States in the world and COM
/ PEELED a reconsideration and a reaGjust-
ment OF its dealings with the other IA
/ tions.
! Your very presence here in this Ma
! ti0nal Reciprocity Convention shows that
/ you have come ia the spirit of President
/ McKinley's last public utterauce al Buf-
/ falO. when he said, Reciprocity is the nat
! ural outgrowth of our wonderful indus
/ -, - ~, . q.