The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-03-06

TO all those present. He referred to
the return of the normal conditions in
the business world, which he believ-
ed was near and expressed the hope
that the congress of the United States
will enact the Fowler currency bill
which will make a strong financial
basis to prevent a recurrence of the
late depressing panic. The panic had
been passed through and no shipwreck
In Wilmington he said, there having
been& no commercial demise during
the past year. He spoke in general
OF the extent of the recent panic. Its
lessons and its results and said that
two factors mad enabled Wilmington
to weather the storm, first that the
banks of Wilmington recognized that
the cure for the panic was not in the
restriction OF credits, but rather the
extension of credits, and secondly that
from September 1st to December 31st
there were received in Wilmington
about 375 900 bales of cotton, worth
approximately s22,0O0,000. all this
amount h"ying been cleared through
Wilmington, and these are the things
that enabled Wilmington to weather
the storm so successfully. Mr.. Taylor
the city, shown by the quototion Of
figures revealing the increase Of ton
mage banking resources, postofice re-
ceipts etc, and then said that Will
mington had attracted the eyes of the
state as being able to furnish the only
possible relief to freight conditions.
telling briefly of the efforts being made
for deeper channel in the Cape Fear
river. He was heartily applauded as
he took his seat.
The first set toast was on the sub
ject North Carolina's Place in South
erp Development" it being responded
to by Mr.. J. p Caldwell, the distin-
guished editor of the Charlotte Obser-
yer. He was cleverly presented
by Mr. Taylor who referred to the es-
tablishment Of the Mecklenburg Decla-
ration of independence as fact; which
ELECTED considerable applause.
Mr.. Caldwell was heartily applaud
ed as he arose and his address was lis
tened to with the closest interest,
being frequently applauded.
He spoke Of Wilmington glorious
record in the past and the splendid
achievement in the present, and re-
ferred to the great part taken in this
development by the Wilmington
chamber of commerce. North Carroll
ma, he said, occupies the first place
in southern development and proved
his assertion by an interesting ar
ray Of facts and figures. He spoke
of the marvellous growth of indus
trial enterprises ana Incl -ase in ag-
ricultural development and of the tre-
mendous resources created by the
earth, forests and water, three sources
of wealth. He plead for assistance
in the Appalachian Forest develop
ment, promising on behalf of his peo-
Tle assistance in the 30-foot channel
project, this sentiment having been
literally applauded. Mr.. Caldwell re-
ferred to the great increase in edu-
cational interest, the extent of the
Goods roads movement; the marked
water power development and then
created applause by reference to Will
mington's great cotton exporting bus
mess Affairs of government, he
claimed, are part of the business of
business men and in North Carolina,
an increasing part which cannot af-
ford to be neglected and laudeG the
business men of Wilmingt for their
attitude showing that they are not
insensible of their rights and are re-
sDOnsible for civil duties. Mr.. Cald-
we'll was given hearty applause at the
conclusion of his address.
Mr.. Taylor expressed regret at the
absence of the subcommittee of the
Public Buildings and Grounds of the
National House of Representatives,
who had been prevented at the last
minute from attending, and also told
of the necessary absence of Con-
gresham H. l.. Goodwin who had been
chosen to respond to the second toast
1.-The Reclamation of North Caroli-
mas Swamp Lands" but Mr.. Taylor
summarized briefly and clearly a pa
ject which he had been expected to
speak. Mr.. Taylor praised Mr.. God
wins work in congress, he having
shown great industry and earnest
ness.
Attitude of Wilmington's Banks
Through the Panic" was the subject
of toast to which the response was
made by Mr.. G. N. Evans, cashier
of the Southern National Bank of this
city, which is referred to elsewhere
in this paper.
Toastmaster Taylor announced
that he had received a telegram from
Congressman ]. H. Small, stating
that he could not attend but express
ing his appreciation for the invitation
and hoping that the occasion would
be successful in every way.
The toastmaster referred with re-
gret to the absence of Judge Neal
who had been lurced to retire from
the banquet hall on account of the
pressing duties that are his because
of the session of court over which
he is presiding, and who had been
chosen to respond to a toast. Mr..
Taylor then presented Mayor w. E.
Springer, who spoke briefly of the
need OF concerted efforts to reap re-
suits and Of the brilliant prospects
of a glorious future for this city and
the state.
Mr.. Taylor announced that the
| government had placed at the dispo-
, sal of the chamber of commerce the