The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-01-04
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Mass Meeting Wednesday Night Well
Attended-Progress Made.
From The Daily Item Dec. 20.


From The Daily Item Dec. 20.
The Chamber of Commerce mass
meeting was called to order in the
/ Court House about $50 O'Clock last
night with seventy five representative
citizens present.
Chairman Altamont Moses reported
briefly the results accomplished by
the committee appointed at the hrst
mass meeting to solicit members and
formulate rules and regulations fo1
the government of the proposed
Chamber of Commerce. He stated
that the committee had been seriously
| handicapped by the fact that the can
vas for members had to be done during
the holiday season when all the bust
ness men were busy and unable to
give the matter their consideration.
The general sentiment of the commu-
| nitv. however, seemed to be in favor
of the movement.
Mai. 81. Frank Wilson a then took
the floor and offered theg following
preamble and resolutions
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen:
In the organization of a Chamber OF
| Commerce, the diversified interest OF
a city or community must be consid-
cred as the paramount OBJECT to be
kept in mind, and free from all selfish
Interest in the men from which such
an organization is made up.
We are here tonight to organize fol
| that purpose and along these lines,
each and every individual, that en-
ters into this organization tonight,
and all who are assembled here as well
as those in our city who are not here,
should feel it ahis bounden duty to
perfect this organization Of Cham
ner of Commerce, absolutely free from
any and all selfish interest, political
aspiration, or creed, or any other OBJ
iect, than for the welfare and build
ing up of our city, and looking after
it's commercial interest.
Mr. Chairman, this is a body OF
men assembled together who repre-
sent the whole business interest OF
the city, and they are mere to formu-
late plans, and take the business di-
rectorate of the city under their con-
trol. not for their self interest, but
for the unsel6sh interest of the whole
community, and lend a helping hand
to all people who they can induce to
come here and cast their lot with Us.
A Chamber of Commerce is compos-
ed of body of men, OF known bus!.
ness ability, who are familiar with all
the intricacies of the channels through
which business is done, and they are
bound together in a business oragniza-
tion to study the interest of the diver
sified business which constitute, the
BODY politic in which they live, it. is
q bond Of brotherhood, the watch dog
of the city's interest and welfare, it
is body of representative men, who
are organized as a Community OF
Interest," for the welfare of the whole
community, and to offer encourage
ment to thousands in distant places,
who are daily seeking new fields for
homes, business location, manufactur-
ING purposes, and the investment OF
capital. -,
The country is overfowing with
surplus capital seeking fields for IN
vestments on small income, but
capital is a tickle goddess, and has to
be wooed and won. When once 1t is
won. by advantageous inducements,
it flows TO the wooer freely. Sumter
has most hattering start to win for
herself outside capital that will bring
people who will help build our city to
proportions in the near future. that
will not only surprise our own COM
munity, but the outside world. The
kew to this whole Transformation, will
be a live and efficient Chamber OF
Commerce, but it must be unhamper-
ed by self interest, social obligations,
political aspirations, or creed,
Sumter lie badly in need OF this or
ganizatiop, aud without it, all that
we have done to advertise our city
will amount to nothing. It is neces-
sary to make this beginning now, and
we are assembled here for that pur-
pose, to make it complete and erect
i've for our city's future.
Mr.. Chairman, representative or
eyery business interest Of the city
should be a member Of a board OF
directors to steer this ship of future
prosperity for the Game Cock City to
a safe and wholesome port. There
fore, be it
Resolved, That such body of men
who are the representatives of the di-
yersified business of the city be
chosen as board Of directors for one
wear from date, and that said beard OF
directors, shall have the power to
elect such officers from their board
that they may deem necessary for the
FAITHFUL and efficient performance of
| the duties required from a Chamber
of Commerce.
Whereas, the following gentlemen
represent the diversified business in
terests of our city, they are hereby
nominated, ss a Board of Directors,
for one year from date;
Neill O'Donnell, G. 6. Rowland, r.
I. Manning, E. L. Witherspoon,
Isaac Schwartz. Marion Noise, q. A.
Lennon, r. F. Haynsworth, J. l..
Alnutt, A. W. Crosswell, e: S. Booth
g. I. Reardon, Jno. NJ. knight.
| A general discussion followed IN
| which a number of gentlemen partici-
pated. On motion the resolutions