The Washington herald., 1908-07-08
THE WASHINGTON
BOARD OF TRADE

The following is the text Of the address
OF Mr.. Adds b. Browne, on behalf Of the
Washington Board Of Trade. upon the oc-
casion of the dedication OF the new Dis
trict Building July t. 1898:
The day We celebrate and the Occa-
sion we celebrate bear close and happy
relation. Had there been no Independence
Day, this splendid structure would have
no existence. nor the District OF Columbia
municipal being. Because there was an
Independence Day a century aEo-aye. a
century and an added generation ago-we
are here to-day engaged in these exer-
cises. For when the bells of Philadel-
phia rang 10 proclaim liberty throughout
the land, not only was a nation then new
born, but the foundation that day was
laid for this structure OF this day.
And when the new nation discarded
the original articles Of confederation,
which some historian has called "A rope
of sand, and for more perfect union
adopted the Federal Constitution. which
Gladstone declared 70 be the greatest
instrument ever struck from the brain of
man. there was Of need the provision
put therein that this great Capital. as the
seat Of Federal government. should be
located upon ground subject only to the
sovereignty Of theNFederal government.
Before the civil war our local affairs
were under municipal control. through
mayors and common councils elected in
the cities Of Washington and George
town. After the civil war had made us
in fact what Webster had declared 10
be the meaning Of the Constitution. an
indisSolUble Union Of indestructible
States. the National Capital caught the
spirit OF that marvellous DEVELOPMENT
which we. as a nation. have since so
generously enjoyed. And when follow
ing the creation Of the present form
Of government some two decades ago.
we passed from an elective 70 an ap-
pointive system. We of the District OF
Columbia. by the very nature of our in
stitutions, still believed in some form
Of representative organization
Hence IL was that the committee of
100 citizens came together, as of common
purpose, 10 adjust the fiscal relations
between the national government and
the citizens and tax payers of the Dis
trict. That matter being happily set
tied on fair and just basis, there came.
as by logical sequence the creation of
the Washington Board Of Trade, formed.
as its bylaws declare, for the con-
sicerauons Of and action upon matters
concerning the commerce. prosperity
and advancement Of the material in
terests Of the National Capital and the
dissemination of information relating
thereto. 1t shall give special attention
10 the promotion Of public improvements
The membership of the Board of Trade
is in no manner exclusive II invites
and has among its membership men of
all callings-professional. commercial, and
otherwise-who are interested ir the ad-
vancement Of all the material interests
Of our people of the District During the
nearly twenty years OF the boards ex-
istence IL has sought TO aid the develop
ment OF the Rational Capital in all
proper ways Claiming no exclusive ac-
complishment, IT has given of the best
time, thought. and energy of its mem
bers TO the realization Of those things
which make for the health, happiness.
and physical comfort of all of our people.
This is neither the time nor the place 10
enumerate in detail all that the board
has thus aided in accomplishing. Suffice
II TO say that at every point Of public in
terest or public Improvement, its united
voice has been heard urging legislation
which would produce, as II has produced.
our remarkable advancement to the pres
ent hour. including the procurement Of
the splendid structure we are here to-day
TO dedicate
This. then, Is the meaning OF the
Board Of Trades relation to this occa-
sion. Both as individuals and as an or
ganization, we rejoice with YOU that our
District government is now housed in its
own District Building and is no longer
a tenant of a building held in private
ownership. The building. as you see it
before you. is a veritable poem IN archi-
lecture. commanding the admiration Of
all who view il for the mind and hand
which planned il. 1t is a source Of pc
culiar pride also that it has been con-
structed by one Of our own cltizens-a
member Of our Board of Trade-and a
man whose name is the synonym OF in
tegrity and ability In his chosen calling.
All honor to-day TO James l. Parsons,
its builder, We need no assurance that
in its frame and structure honesty in
every part is surely to be found
I've rejoice with you that our District
Building Is located upon this great ave
nue., which for all the years of the past
has been. as II will be in all the years Of
the future tine very center of all that
visibly demonstrates our great and in
creasi1g strength and power as a nation.
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