The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-20
GOVERNOR PROCLA|MS
WELCOME. TO BODY
Assures Southern Commercial Con
gress Of Vfrginda's Cordial Greet
ing to Gathering.
IN NORFOLK IN DECEMBER
Atlantic Fleet VIII Mobilize In Hamp-
ton Roads In Honor Of Notable
Business Event-Natfonal Repre-
semtatives to Attend.

Announcing to the citizens OF VIZ
ginia the convention of the Southern
Commercial Congress. which will hold
its eighth annual meeting In Norfolk
on December II to IA. Governor
Stuart yesterday issued q prociama-
toion calling on the people to respond
to the purposes Of the movement
The congress will consider questions
of agriculture and education. indus
tries and commerce, and the interpre-
tation of the relations Of the United
States to international reconstruc-
ton.
To the South particularly. its
achievements and future growth, will
the congress devote its attention, and
plans of action for constructive, states
menlike activities for the future will
be outlined. Certain national and in
ternational organizations will submit
reports to the congress on the sub
jects OF agriculture, colonization. mu-
nicipal efficiency and foreign trade.
Making Extensive Preparations.
Extensive preparations are being
made for the holding OF the conven-
ton, a feature of the program being
in Hampton Roads, ordered by the
Secretary Of the Navy. Josephus
Daniels The congress will be attend
ed by Legislative and executive officers
Of the Federal government, State Of
| fcials, foreign representatives.. as we'll
as agricultural, commercial and pro-
fessional men of the nation. The
proclamation issued by the Governor
is also an announcement to the citi-
zens OF the States included in the
/ territory Of the Southern Commercial
! Congress. as we'll as all parts OF the
/ United States. of the convention, and
! invites the chief executives and cit
! liens Of those States 20 visit Virginia
! during the Congress
Text of Proclamation.
The proclamation issued by the
Governor is as follows:
| Whereas. the Southern Commercial
Congress will hold its eighth annual
convention In Norfolk. Va. December
liza. 1915; and
| Whereas. the Norfolk Congress will
he devoted not only TO the most prac-
I teal consideration Of the questions re-
/ latinR to agriculture and education,
the industries and commerce, but also
! TO an Interpretation OF the relations
I of the United States TO intern ationA
reconstruction; and
! Whereas. the congress VIII review
the achievements OF the South and
endeavor to outline plans OF action
regard to constructive stafesmGniike
activities for the future: and
Whereas. reports are TO be submit
/ ted at the Norfolk Congress by GER
/ tain national and international or
! 2-anizations bearing on the subjects Of
agriculture colonization, municipal
! efficiency and foreign trade; and
( Whereas, the Secretary OF the Navy
( has ordered the mobilization of the
Atlantic fleet In Hampton Roads for
official participation in the program
( OF the congress; and
| Whereas, the Southern Commercial
! Congress is attended by legislative and
executive officers OF the Federal gov
eminent. by State officials. foreign
representatives as we'll as agricul-
( tural, commercial and professional
men Of the nation; and
! Whereas. the problems associated
with the changed outlook resulting
I from the European war, econ ornfc,
I agricultural, industrial, military. gov
ornamental. financial and commercial,
are deserving OF the most deliberate
! discussion and consideration OF the
men OF the South at this hour: and
/ Whereas, the city OF Norfolk. with
/ her historic past, her marvellous COM
merciai achievements OF the past yea
and her great present and future op-
portunity is to be the scene OF this
+ notable congress:
I Now, therefore 7. Fl c. Stuart
Governor OF Virginia. proclaim TO the
! citizens OF Virginia the convention OF
/ the Southern Commercial Congress.
and call upon the people Of the State
( to respond cordially TO this great
movement. and through every organ
| ICED entity to be represented In the
| convention and participate IN Its de-
| liberations Official announcement Is
| hereby made to the States tnclud ed
! in the territory OF the Southern Com
merctal Congress. as well as TO all
parts OF the United States, OF the
! forthcoming convention, and q cordial
invitation ia extended to the chief ex-
| ectitives and to the citizens of those
States to visit Virginia during the ses-
sion OF the congress with the assur-
ance that a genuine welcome awaits
all who will come within the border
\ OF the State.
| In witness whereof. have herunto
signed my name and AFFIXED the lesser
seal OF the Commonwealth. at the
Capitol in the city of Richmond. this
18th day OF August, in the year of
our Lord one thousand nine hundred
and sixteen. and in the one hundred
and forty-nrst year OF the Common
wealth.
H c. STUART
BY the Governor:
| r. o. JAMES.