New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-02
GEORGE WILSON'S ILLNESS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. SECRETARY'S
FIRST ABSENCE FROM AN
ANNUAL MEETING.

The 134th annual meeting of the Chamber Of
Commerce was attended by a large number of
its members early yesterday afternoon in the
rooms at No. 81 Nassau-st.. which nave been
occupied as a temporary home for eighteen
years. It was the last annual meeting Of the
Chamber in those rooms as the building in
Liberty-st which is to be the Chambers PER
manent home win be occupied this fall.
When the members assembled, they learned
with regret that George Wilson. the secretary,
was seriously Ill with pneumonia in his home
in Brooklyn. 1t was the first time IN more tran
thirty years. some of the older members said,
that Mr.. Wilson has failed to be present at
annual meeting. They expressed fear that Mr..
Wilson might not recover, saying that he was
nearly seventy years old and had worked TN
sparngly OF late in preparing for moving the
Chambers large collection Of records and fine
collection of portraits to the new home. Both
collections 1t was said. were largely due TO Mr..
Wilson's energy and tact When President
Jesup called the meeting TO order he referred TO
Mr.. Wilson's absence and the cause of it.
We all know what he has been TO the
Chamber and to its members during his thirty
four years service" said Mr.. Jesup. During
that period the Chamber has steadily advanced
in dignity and character and much Of that is
due 10 Mr.. Wilson's work"
Charles Stewart Smith spoke in high praise
OF Mr.. Wilson's services. and said the members
OF the Chamber We're united in earnest hope for
Mr.. Wilson's recovery There applause
when Mr. Jesup ordered that the expression OF
that hope be conveyed 20 the sick man. Mr..
Wilson's appointed secretary OF the
meeting and later Mr.. Wilson was reelected
secretary for the thrty-fourth time. Mr.. Jesup
and some other officers OF the Chamber were re-
elected. The full list of officers and chairmen
OF committees OF the Chamber is the following:
MORRIS X. JEsUP president.
wHITELAw REID. CLEMENT A GRTSCOM,
CHARLES LANtER. J. EDWARD SIMMONS and WILL
LAM r DODGE vice presidents.
JAMES g. CANNON. treasurer.
GEORGE WILSON secretary.
CHARLES :. SMITH. chairman ot the executive com
mttee.
JOHN HARSEN RHoADEs. chairman or the Com
mttee Finance Currency.
GUSTAV il. sCHWAB. chairman OF the Committee on
Foreign Commerce and the Revenue Laws.
A. BARTON HEPBURN. chairman Of the Committee
Internal Trade and improvements.
A. FOSTER HIGGINS chairman Of the Committee on
the Harbor and shipping
ANTON A. RAVEN chairman Of the Committee On In
surance.
GEORGE F SEWARD. chairman Of the Committee on
STATE and Municipal Taxation.
President Jesup announced that Charles Stew
art Smith had presented to the chamber por-
traits of Generals Grant Sherman and Sberi-
dan. painted from life by Daniel Huntington
in 1874 and 1870. Mr. Huntington certifes in
writing that these the originals. copies Of
which are IN the War Department at Wash
ington.
Accompanying the portraits is a letter from
General Sherman in which it is stated that he
was frequently present when Generals Grant
and Sheridan sal for these portraits. Some per
sonal recouections are added. as well as General
Shermans opinion 10 the merits OF the plct-
ures. General Sherman told Mr.. Smith at the
time he purchased the pictures that he and Cen
eral Grant considered them as probably the best
ever painted of the men.
The chamber yesterday adopted a report from
Its committee on finance and currency, pre-
scented by John HaTsOn Rhoades. in favor Of
legislation by Congress To make silver dollars
eXchangeah Bile for gold. Mr.. RhOades, speaking
Of the bills now pending in Congress providing
for currency for the Philippine Islands said:
Whether We keep those island or give them
up, our duty is clearly 10 provide a stable cur
rency for those islands, both in justice to them
and 10 us"