Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-09
roster Commercial interest.

> =. 80 ;
Organized to foster aud guard the manu-
featuring and commercial interests of our
community. guided by the unf1agging In
terest and unselfsh devotion of some OF
our best citizens. the Chamber OF Com
nerce has right to rejoice in Rich
monds growth and to view her prosperity
somewhat in the light or its own handi-
work. This is said as just tribute TO
those whose wisdom organized this body,
and to those of our devoted citizens who
for years have given freely Of their time
and labor in planning for the city's good.
IT is not said as indicating that the Cham
Der has fully discharged its duty to- the
community, for as an organization 1t is
probably open to deal Of criticism.
This body should be 8 great power In the
community. 1t has mary Of the essen
tial qualif1ca tons for success. Its OBJ
jects and purposes are Just and right; II
has the respect and confidence OF the
community: its membership is large and
intelligent. and II. is worried. and f1ar-
rassed by no internal strifes nor dissen-
s:ons. 1t Is here the business interests
of our city voice their sentiments and
show the power of combined approval
or the force-aof united opposition. Unuer
these conditions its influence should be
stronger than at present. Many Of our
citizens. however. do not give the Cham
Der that support which their self-interest
and their civic pride should prompt. and
many Of our own members are lukewa rm
insthefr support, manifesting their! indif-
ference by never attending our gather
ings and by uncompiimentary criticisms
upon the Chamber s work. It Is possibly
rhe lukewarrnness OF our membership
which occasions tire apathy Of the COM
munity. but whatever the cause the fact
Is, nevertheless true that the Chamber
t.
1t should have. The city has here the
machinery for vast deal more good
than she is receiving. It needs only the
time and the master hand of some one
capable OF putting the machinery to
work. and the head and heart OF some
one who can arouse an enthusiasm with
which all labor would be light and with
out which all is the mere perfunctory dis
charge of duty. and. consequently. a
task sincerely trust that In the Sc
lection Of your president for the ensuing
year q man possessing these Qualifica-
tons may be found.
During the year many interesting and
impnrtant matters have occupied the
Chambers attention. 1t is impossible,
in brief report of this character. to
refer to them all, and SO will mention
only a few.
Tcr-Centcnary Celebration.
When my term of Office commenced I
found an active fight in progress for maxi
Ing Richmond the principle center of the
great ter-centenary celebration in 1907.
Our people were almost unit in their
opposition to the idea of an Industrial
exposition. as the best manner either
from sentimental or financial stand
point. In which to celebrate the three-hun-
dredth anniversary Of such an import
ant historical event as the settlement Of
Jamestown. We, therefore, went to work
to find some fitting and attractive scheme
for the proper comnemoration OF the
event With that end In view. a commit
Zee was appointed with Professor Nit
effeli, of the Richmond College, at Its
head, and the committee brought in a
s.plan or scope Of proposed celebration.
30 unique and attractive that 1t created
the greatest admiration for its trainers
and enlisted the warm support OF all OF
our citizens. Armed with this proposed
plan and with the earnest aid Of our
Senators and Representatives. valient.
but vain fight was made in Richmond s
behalf, for the claims of Norfolk and
Tidewarer seemed to our legislators SUI
perior. and to our sister city went this
coveted honor. Their plan of celebration
calls for an industrial exposition grand
naval review, etc. While Questioning the
sxpedhncy Of the exposition. idea. we yet
lender our best wishes~and assure our
seighbors by the sea. that Richmond and