The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-11-22

About rs we're present, including about
one-third ladies. whose attractive gowns
added brightness and color 20 the sombre
garb OF the business men.
From 6:45 TO 1870 or a little later there
was an informal reception in the west
end OF the Wellington's rooms and the ef-
ncient committee did all that was possible
10 make the affair n success and 10 put
the guests at their ease.
The president. escorting the guests of
honor. headed the line when the orches-
ira started up a march. and the party
was speedily seated after a prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Goodwin OF the Pawtucket Congre-
gational church. The good things provided
were treated with proper attention and
then the speeches followed.
PRESIDENT BUSH OPENED.
President Bush spoke OF the reason for
existence OF :he Business Mems asaocia-
sion which was organized juno II, 1890
and adopted its present bylaws In Dee.
1895. There is much possible cooperation
and the banding together OF the mer-
chants, he said, and among the other
things which the association has n hand
in were the movements for better faCfli-
Ties on the New York and New England
railroad ana acceptance OF mileage books
on Milford branch, the matter OF demur-
rage when we received S hours I'm which
30 remove freight, decreased cost Of heat
err cars. a hand In the new postofrlce. an
active participation In the Worlds Colum-
bian association. a new station and Better
roads.
He introduced Lieutenant Governor
Frederick II. Jackson as the first speaker.
and ne referred 10 his business in a light
er vein. saying he expected that the mem.
hers would make a move 10 their pockets
when his business was mentioned until
he remembered they all had their dress
suits on.
He was speaking. he said. as n repre-
sentative Of hts excellency the governor
and also as president of the Board OF
Trade and congratulated the association
on its work He referred to the recently
completed census. saying that the state
has now but little short OF a half mil
lion in population.
The cosmopolitan nature Of the Rhode
Island population was referred 10 and
also the readiness with which the best
OF the incoming peoples was assimilated
MANY IMPROVEMENTS Secured
Church allegiance that IL inimical q
the commonwealth cannot be here Their,
must be now. as IN Roger Williams DAYS
q complete service Of church and state
There can be no sectarianism here.
As a business man. / canno but SAY
that less frequent elections would ado
90 the stability Of the conditions here. and
IN that line biennial or even tricnnial cleo.
tions would contribute 10 the welfare o
the commonwealth.
There was some applause az this and
lieut.. Gov. Jackson said that this veal
showed over the last 20 years 90 per cent
increase. lie pictured a Greater Provi.
dence. with Pawtucket. Central Falls
East Providence and Cranston. but called
attention also TO evils which might result
from TOO great a centraiizat lon OF power
The great Importance 81 the work thai
an association Of this sort can DO wa
referred TO and Their the great work o
Improving tire western shore ~ our harhoi
was touched upon. The anchorage basir
~ being increased and coal wharves ars
being put In ~ well as other wnarves
The national committee on rivers and
hai bors was here n few wears ago and
was our guest for = day and the direct
result is the work that Il nov going on