St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-06-29

wasset National bank at Plymouth, as
president of the organization, presided
at the postprandial exercises and gave
the address of welcome. Mr.. Smythe
made an excellent POSTMASTER and ad-
dressed the bankers as follows:
my first and pleasantest duty this
evening is to express in behalf of the
members of the Northern Bankers Asso-
citation our appreciation of the efforts of
the combined bankers of. St. Johnsbury,
in making our visit to your beautiful
town for our midsummer meeting such a
pronounced success. 1t demonstrates for
the third time that Vermont is not only
up in the front rank in producing the
very best quality OF bank officers, but
that they have made themselves past
masters in the art of entertaining.
To our guests, who have so kindly
honored us by their presence this evening,
we bid you a cordial welcome and we as
sure you that knowing the busy lives
which you lead. and the eminence you
have attained in the financial world, is
an inspiration to all OF US after this brief
outing to return to our desks and en-
deavor in so far as it is in our power, not
only to profit by the words of advice and
encourag ement that you bring us, but to
seek eacn in his humble way to try and
make our work as near the ideal as
possible.
For our association, born as it was
during the incidents brought on by the
question OF exchange, whatever may
have been the merits or otherwise OF
that debatable question, certain it is
that it was a happy day for us all, in
that it brought us together, and the
trie ndships formed will be among our
brightest memories. We ought not to
be satisfied until every banker in New
Hampshire and Vermont are enrolled
on our books as members, and I suggest
that we all consider ourselves as
missionaries and bring that event to
successful conclusion.
We are very much disappointed this
evening in not entertaining as our guest,
the Hon. James Macklnnon, General
Manager OF the Eastern Townships
bank at Sherbrooke, and whom we ex-
pected up to Wednesday to be with us
this evening and speak on the methods
of Canadian banking. A business meet
ing which he was obliged to attend in
Montreal made it impossible for him to
be with us. 1 hope, however, that at
some future meeting we may have the
pleasure of his company.
Among the financial institutions of
New England by common consent. The
National Shawmut Bank of Boston
stands at the head in both capital and
deposits. was very much pleased when
our secretary wrote me that one of the
principal officers of this institution had
consented to speak to us this evening,
and l know / voice the sentiments of
every member in thanking him for the
interest he has shown in our organi-
cation, and it is with pleasure I intro
duce Francis B. Sears, vice president of
the Sha wmut National Bank
Mr.. Sears made an excellent address,
ton and the consolidation of banks. and
also briefly discussed the currency ques-
ton. He was glad to see that bankers
were agreeing on the great financial
issues and congratulated the organiza-
ton on what they had already accom-
plished.
In introducing the next speaker the
POSTMASTER said, Bank reorganizations
come SO thick and fast in these days that
we really need to keep a printer to keep
pace with them and keep our stationery
in proper form. The last as you all
know was the Redemption and First
National and now they rank close Sec
ond to the leaders. 1t was my pleasure
as possibly it was of many of our men,
bers to know quite intimately the assis-
tant cashier, Afterwards cashier of the
Shoe and Leather, still later cashier of
the Redemption. and now vice president
OF the First National Bank of Boston. I
bid him cordial welcome and present
to You Mr.. George 6. McCausland."
Mr.. McCausland spoke along the same
lines as Mr.. Sears and said it was pleas