The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-13

and purposes OF the assoclation-its daily
work and the character OF Its member
shp-and there is no more appropriate
place TO consider the origin and purposes
ot the American Bankers Association
than the city Of Washing ton. the Federal
capital Of the country, for ono Of the
principal purposes had In view In organic
ms the association in 1875 was to aid
tho Federal government In rcsuming spe-
Gle payments; and It is not claiming too
much to say that the association gave
most valuable aid to the government in
putting It's currency on a gold basis.
Thus, at the very beginning OF its career,
this association set before itself a wise
and patriotic purpose, and from that day
to this. 1t, as a body, and its members. as
individuals, have given freely to the gov
eminent valuable assistance in carryin
out every financial measure which the
government has undertaken.
8 Our friends. the lawyers. do not main
tain bar associations to protect them
selves against wrongdoers, but to elevate
the standards of their profession and
compel its members to observe their
obligations TO clients and their duties to
the courts. And SO the members OF the
American Bankers Association must not
consider the sole advantage Of mem ber-
ship in 1t to lie In such protection as 1T
may afford against the criminal classes
The standing committees on Unit form
Laws, Currency Legislation, Bankers
Money Orders, and Education. as we'll rs
the Protective Committee, do work Of
lpccuninry value to the members Of the
association. sl Va
The work OF the American banker is ex-
tending farther and farther every day,
and becoming more and more OF public
Importance, as the rS9efoads bring all
parts Of the country csoser and closer to-
gether, and our flag rises here and there
IL far-awayE countries; and each day the
need OF the American banker for a better
knowledge Of distant people and more ac-
.curate Information as to their ways and
commercial needs. and the routes OF com
merce and its laws, Increases; and mem
hershiD in the American Bankers, Asso-
citation will afford means by which
many of these needs can be easily ac-
qnired, for Its members include many
who know most about these things and
are doing successfully the banking bust
ness OF this country; and to whom else
could one turn with more likelihood of
receiving valuable aid In these matters? Il
I For these reasons and because the hon
,orable and important business OF banking
IN the United States should continue to
pc flttlngly represented among the COM
u.uiSS - Tug SVOTlQ let us MAIN
tain the character and Importance Of tho
American Bankers, " Association. as evil
denced BY its origin, Its history ana the
character aqd number Gifts members.
Prosperity Of Country.
HIS FIVE minutes descriptions Of the bust
ness prosperity of different parts OF the
country We're indulegd in3bythe conven-
ton for half hour, when adjournment
was taken until tomorrow morning.
The convention was invited to meet in
Detroit. Mich, in 1907, No action was
taken. An amusing Incident In the dis
ousson Of BUSINESS conditions was oc,,
casloned BY the refusal of Mr. Fletcher,
Of Little Rock, Ark, to discontinue ex-
collation. OF the South mt the end OF the
prescribed time, The convention good
!naturedly voted him Off the floor only to
have him interrupt the next speaker and
continue his own remarks. n