The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-11
DISCUSSED
NATIONAL
ISSUES
Array Of Notable Speakers al
Boston Merchants AsSocla-
ton Annual Dinner.

was marked by the absence Of GOV
Albert " Cumm'ns of Iowa. VINO was
20 be tho chief speaker OF the occasion.
hut who was called home on account OF
-4l4eAes-l,4 his famllN.-Lhe- banquet was
still one OF the most notable IN the MS
tory OF the association. The distln-
suished guests of the evening included
United States sena tors John w. DenleI
OF Lynchburg Va. and Joseph v Quaries
OF wisconsin. together with Congressman
Samuel w Mccall Of Massachusetts
president Charles s. Mellen of tho New
York. New Haven and Hartford railroad.
Mayor Patrick a. Collins of Boston ana
others.
The post-prandal exercises were
opened by President Amory A Lawrence,
who presided Gov. Cummins' address
was read BY Hon Charles $. Hamin. The
keynote Of Gov. Cummins' address was
Reciprocity with Canada and the read
ing was followed by applause
"IrNITIEs or THE UNION"
The first speaker of the evening was
Mayor Patrick A. Collins. who extended
n welcome TO the association and It's
guests on behalf ~ the city ~ Boston.
The toastmaster then called upon Sena-
tor Daniel. and the southerner was greet
ed with n spontaneous and prolonged
welcome. HIS subject was The Unities
OF the Union
Senator Daniel dwclt ia a general way
upon the harmonious conditions between
The northern and southern states.
Passing 10 the negro question. he point
ed out that although the north and south
were in unity there was one subject on
which they were divided the color ques-
tion.
He said; You have never seen slavery
from. the standpoint OF some of us. II
YOU destroy slavery and abolish IL. wha
are you going TO do with the corpse?
The American people have never had a
problem TO deal with for which their
courage and skill were insufficient"
Without going further into the aues
fion. Senator Daniel suggested that II
the south were permitted to settle the
question he hoped they would do H.
Charles 3. Hamin was then called
upon TO read the address OF Gov Cum
minis.
PRESIDENT MELLEN.
There is ono advantage | must ap-
preciatc I'm meeting YOU this evening
have not had at other places. have
had suggestions through the daily papers
from many Of your citizens which give
me an idea OF your desires and I don't
sn consequence feel 80 much I'm the dark.
II noticed with regret that some Of
you had suffered loses through thefts
Of freight. I had thought an the vouchers
came before me for approval that the
noyancs, more than loss, that was your
trouble7 And did II ever occur 10 you
that many. may. most OF these losses. oe-
CURED right here I'm Boston: that you
were complaining OF thefts made by our
employees here In your cfty. and that
We not only suffer annoyance equally
with YOU but in addition have TO make
good?
IF some Of you could give me a receipt
me Of some way OF detecting honesty, 40
could discriminate IN employment
Uouid and would pay most handsomely
for the same.
1T would seem TO man up tree
that when citizens OF community rob
each other, a third party-Iike the rail-
road. which suffers equal annoyance
and also pay the bilk--was to be more
ccmmiserated than criticized.
There is much 10 regret In the affairs
OF every corporation, and ours is no ex-
ception. We shall try, however 10
mako an Improvement and meet your
reasonable desires and labor with you
In good nature over those that arc un-
reasonable.
MANY of the suggestions that have
reached me have been acted upon. and
many more are undergoing investigation.
ss result OF which further action may
be expected later.
PLENTY OF SUGGESTIONS
Boston may take pride I'm the dis
tinction OF being the most prolific in
suggestions regarding improvements
needed IN our railroad service. or all the
places on our lines, and I will state for
your comfort and qualification I have
been favored more by your citizens In
the isst % days than by all the people
OF the Northwest during the six and
more years 7 was with them. Therefore
81 improvement IS not made. ~ will be
from no lack OF earnest interest or
proffers Of assistance
Some 10 or more years since IL WAS
my lot 20 come 20 this city. like many
another boy. from the country to seek
my fortune. ] was not then an invited
guest, nor looking forward 90 much be-
yond life of hard work and n possible
competence. II wac dscoursging In the
extreme at tmee but was fortunate IN
making the acquaintance OF some OF
your then men OF Affairs, whose advice
and interest were of inertimsble ad-
antage and whose counsel In with me
~ this day and win be to the END
NO place where I have been so
journer has ever had for me that SEN
tirnental attachment that Boston has.
and have considered e rare privilege
10 be again called TO be a factor IN what
fare. I am Allied with the hope ! shall
be permitted 10 DO IN some measure for
this city, and for you what others.
resident here. have done for me, and
thus repay 20 the city OF my friends and
oenefactors the weight and Obligation j
am under for that have received az
their hands and Justify the faith they
honored me with.
when. therefore. am asked what
ara NV r,ian, for the improvemeut of
the trade OF your city I am much IKE
the rest Of you-perhaps not able q
definitely eay. but sure ! shall not h
found wanting when the time Gomez
Something n 10 be done for the good oi
ef1-knowing full wei you cannot pros
per without our sharing with YOU, hop
fng you may prosper. that we ma,
share with you desiring 20 help you a.
an that tends 90 make your city gre
ana wealthy. believing not 80 great re
euffs oan accrue 10 the interests whl
~rniCh \ ern identified aa will ne pro