The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-06-07
PEOPLES FORUM


Editor F4rgin1an:
slr4-It has been my pleasure for the past
few months to have been somewhat intimately
associated with the banking business of Eich-
mond.
Among those I have met and associated with
more than Some others, was one who made
quite favorable impression me, a broad
minded citizen, well banker He came
TO Richmond twenty-nine years of age. IN
1899, starting a bank with his associates with
a capital Of 5000, 600 Soon the capital was
raised to 100000, then to 100000. later 10
100000. and hastily million dollars.
The bank has gone uphill step by step antil
1t has a capital of million dollars.
surplus 100000, and total resources of nearly
~f4ail!.sasI i.ee+t1r4a t3aat4t.
at the head Of this bank as we'll as In the growth
Of the bank itself, and I find that he is troas-
urer Of the Young Mems Christian ASSOCIATION,
4 chairman of the Laymans Missionary Move
ment of Virginia, of the executive committed
of which l have the honor Of being a member
: TIE Is an r6n0reT TneTTY17rr IF rrTp --1tycupTf
Church, and ! learn has been active In church
york sill Of his life
| When the large office building in wlHeh the
bank 's located was completed, the top floor
was rented the Business Mems club with a
! stipulation in the contract that liquor should
be sold on the premises I understand also,
that the basement could have been rented at
handsome figures for saloon, bat Wis
promptly declined. The good members of the
board 81 directors Of this bank declined TO
enter into AMI business contract where liquor
to he dispensed. I understand that this
gentleman refused act with the artl-prohi-
b.tionists the self styled Local Sen-ciovern-
/ men1 League in their recent meeting
] think the course Of this successful insti-
! tuition clearly demonstrates the fact aaat husi-
ness will prosper without connection with or
sympathy for the liquor business While this
x+Hxy~a
either the wet or dry forces it seems 10 me that
/ these facts clearly prove where he stands on the
/ liquor question,
! When study the different phases Of the
wet and dry question, We can readily that
! the men who not actively aligned with the
moral forces such as the churches. Sunday
schools, Y. NJ c. n societies. and others If
! like nature. are uslally against us. but most
good strong, substantial citizens actively en-
gagged IN work Of this character are usually on
the dry side of this question.
/ The history OF the success Of this bank Is
a matter of record. Nothing that / could say
for against it would chang. the rcal facts
in the case and by comparing It's record with
I other banking institutions of our State yoa,
will readily see the comparative success 1T has
attained,
admire extravagently. II ~ please any man
who Is broad minded and liberal in hi$ views
/ IN business life. well having high moral
standard. Money is valuable thing TO have
and it is honorable to make it if Il is property
i AStd, DNt tht}lh a man IL a colossal failure
when he does nothing but make money for its
sake alone. There many things in life we
should strive 70 attain that far more val
liable and would be a much more valuable Leg
acy for children and poaterlty than the
/ making Of money which. if not properly used
! IS SO much oftener than q blessing
We should stand for the right and prove it hv
our life's work
/ l refer 10 Mr.. Oliver J. Sands. president Of
The American National Bank Of Richmond
who is now Just fcrty-four years of a&ee in the
| prime of life and manhood 1t has been
great pleasure for me 10 have been associated
with him and TO have known him better and
while ] admire his strong business qualities
very much I admire his other qualities ever
more. believe that God VIII bless honor and
prosper a man who has q wide vision whole
Some sentiment high ideals ann who cares
/ something for his fellowmen.
r. s. BARBOUR
South Poston, Va, June s.