The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-03
SPOKE ON
DUTY OF
INDIVIDUAL.


chamber Of commerce WAS held In the
rooms OF the board OF Market square
last evening. and there was good at
tendance Of members, President Fred
erick H. Jackson filling the chair Ap-
proval was accorded the minutes OF the
previous meeting AZ prepared and read
by Secretary George H. Webb.
The following new members were eject
ed: Roland III. Wilson, William G. Ken
dali, William IL. Hagan. Charles A. Ray,
j. Grant Hawkes., Benjamin &. Brownen,
Horace q. Peck. Osmond II. Briggs, Ar
thur w. Guilford- J. o. San Souci. r. j.
San Souci, Frank Il. Balou, Walter Cal
lender, r. NJ. Dixon. George H. Pettee
and Bigelow +. Adams.
President jackson explained that the
election OF these gentlemen was 10 MI
vacancies. but stlll kept the membership
roll within the 1000 limitation.
Resolutions were unanimously adopted
recommending proposed legislative en-
actment changing the fees for wholesale
and retail licenses In the city OF Provi-
dence, endorsing the movement Tor
school commission for the city OF ProVi-
dence. and condemning the Gompers
eight hour bill now before congress
The speaker of the evening was Hon.
George II. Utter OF Westerly lieutenant
governor OF the state. and he chose TOT
his subject An Evening Talk. lie pre-.
faced his remarks with an expression OF
/ pleasure at being afforded the oppor-
tunity TO speak TO business men-tne
! men who take an active part IN lne AT
! fairs OF life and keep the wheels OF pro-
| gress turning.
lie called attention TO the fact that
private affairs show the trend OF public
affairs. We often forget that In the MS
/ tory OF a nation and evolutionary changes
manifested como not only through the
| changes in statesmen, but also III chhhseS
i'm the individuals; through changes IN
ideas and character OF the ihoNiuuAi'
who make up the nation.
The tendency OF the past quarter OF
! centrr,, has been 10 force the individual
TO the wall TO form huge and lmpersoha'
combinations and grave dangers nave
| arisen as a sequence to the disappear
| ance of the individual from society.
The speaker then continued: Il VIII ASK
you first to notice how this has appneu ia
social ways Now I'm society We Juuee
great deal by the set from which man
comes What is his family? What are MS
social antecedents? lie may be man OF
the most sterling worth, OF exceptional
talent charming manner ana the hlBhes'
character but we do not Judge MN py
his character. If person comes from
certain street or a certain famlly We an
init him TO our homes and welcome MN
ioyfully. not because OF his personal char
acter which may be OF the worst, nut De-
cause his family Is good. because he has
been given the official stamp OF soclet!
approval Probably We can all remempei
occasions when this methed has worked
ruin when men OF UNIT personal charsc'
Ter have been admitted 10 our good graces
without question. on account OF his ap'
/ proved social standing and not because o.
his personal worth. Thus We allow TINS
imposition on our individuality by th'
mass OF society.
"'It seems that we have gone 40 far II
the idea OF party government In the las
- years that we have lost the ldea OF III
diyiduality A few men conduct the az
fairs. and the mass simply stand asid'
and vote on party lines. thinking that tn
leaders know more about the matters ant
are qualified TO decide everything Per
haps they are. but I'm this way the ma
jority sink their Individuality
The same was equally true, the speake
declared as 10 business. There has been
steady drifting away from the individua
TO the corporation. Enormous wealth II
combinations Is "A menace, If IL Is no
controlled by men.
The same question must be faced as Z
labor unions The idea that evoked sue
combinations has also made labor union
necessary. He urged his hearers as &C
tive business men and Representative
citizens TO insist on the enforcement o
Ali laws 10 participate in party caucuses
> cast not aside their individuality nor los
\ sight OF personal responsibility As wit
D business. with labor unions. with comb
nations OF capital and with political part
ies 40 Il was with the individual VIII
s should remember that a chain Is n
, stronger than it's weakest link.
The speaker who was heartily applaud
cd. was given a rising vote OF thanks i
. collation. was served and social hou
followed