P. C. CANDIDUS, Mobile. L. S. BRIGHAM, Montgomery.

DELEGATES TO NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RETAIL

DRUGGISTS:

C. B. GOLDTHWAITE, Troy.

D. S. BAUER, Mobile.
W. E. BINGHAM, Tuscaloosa.

PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF BY-LAWS:

W. F. DENT, Montgomery.

L. S. BRIGHAM, Montgomery.
G. W. BAINS, Birmingham.

THE attention of the Druggists of Alabama is called to the advertisements in these proceedings. They are houses of known reputation and ability, and when ordering goods it would be reciprocating their kindness by specifying their brands, as it is by their liberality that these proceedings are published without cost to the Association. It is expected that their enterprise and confidence will be appreciated by the profession in Alabama.

Minutes of the Twentieth Annual Meeting.

FIRST SESSION.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 15, 1901.

The Twentieth Annual Meeting of the ALABAMA PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION was called to order at the Council Chamber of the City of Montgomery at 12 o'clock noon President Geo. B. McVay, of Birmingham, in the chair.

President McVay called upon the Rev. Dr. Charles A. Stakeley, pastor of the First Baptist Church, who led the Association in prayer.

Mayor Edward B. Joseph welcomed the Association to the city of Montgomery. He paid a high tribute to the calling of the Pharmacists and to the personel of the members. He depicted the growth and prosperity of his city and pointed out the wonderful sanitary improvements which had been put in He called attention to the system of meat and slaughter inspection prevailing in the health department of the city government and invited the Association to visit the plant and yards of the system. He extended an eloquent welcome and gave the members the freedom of the city.

use.

Mr. C. T. Ruff, of Montgomery, was introduced to speak for the druggists of his city and extend their welcome to the visitors.

ADDRESS OF MR. CRAWFORD T. RUFF.

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the

Alabama Pharmaceutical Association:

I esteem it a high privilege and a great honor to be permitted to appear before this distinguished body as the representative of the Pharmacists of this city, and in their name to extend unto you a cordial welcome within our gates.

As I come before you today to voice these words of welcome, I call to mind a memorable event in the history of Montgomery. When that illustrious Frenchman, Lafayette,

made a pilgrimage to the United States in 1824, this city had the honor and distinction to be included in his itinerary. As he approached the eastern gates of the city Governor Pickens, the then Governor of Alabama, accompanied by a suitable escort, hastened forward to meet him. But when he had come into the presence of the hero of the Revolution, he could speak no word of welcome. So deeply impressed was he with the magnitude of the occasion that he remained profoundly dumb. A substitute in the person of the Governor's secretary was called upon to welcome Lafayette.

Would that I could emulate the noble example of the speechless Pickens and do that which Pharmacists are so often accused of doing-provide a "substitute." Being thus profoundly impressed, I am persuaded that it had been better for you, and for me, had one been found whose words of welcome would have been in keeping and in harmony with the importance of the occasion.

Our splendid Secretary, Mr. Brigham, has endeavored in his secretarial notes to establish certain arbitrary rules pertaining to eloquence. This places me in a false position, for however lustily I may flap my rhetorical wings I can never attain unto the heights which he occupies with that grace and dignity "peculiar to himself." He stands on the topmost peak, amid the eternal clouds, and bathes his poetic plumage in the thunder home-while I must ever stand on the sordid earth below.

And yet I would not have you believe that all Montgomery Pharmacists are so lacking in eloquence. I know of several apothecaries hereabouts who are so endowed with what I may term the "ascending order of eloquence" that their opening sentences would thrill your very souls, and as their voluble words sought their upward flight they would rend in twain the roof of this building; gaining the freedom of the outer air they would fall like meteoric showers throughout the adjacent counties, causing the frightened inhabitants thereof to gird up their loins and flee from the wrath to come. Not being in the vicinity of great Anniston, where a mysterious

pall-like smoke has been seen hanging on the brow of the mountain for more than a year, nor mighty Birmingham, from whence there goes upward the smoke from a thousand furnaces more or less, they would be unable to call on the rocks and mountains to fall upon them, but in their dire necessity they would be forced to dig holes in the prairie mud and hide themselves therein; and the prairie mud would rejoice greatly and would say, "I will abide with thee."

The poet has said:

"A little nonsense now and then

Is relished by the best of man."

As Alabama Pharmacists may be classed with the best of men, I indulge the hope that these remarks will not be deemed inappropriate to the occasion. But, Mr. President and fellow Pharmacists, I assume a more serious vein:

His honor the chief executive of our city has extended his welcome with an eloquent tongue and has bestowed his gifts with a lavish hand. I cannot compete with his honor in the matter of gifts. He bestows cities as if he had cities to burn. I admire his munificence and his generosity, but I notice that he has given away everything in sight, not excepting that classic precinct known in the annals of fame as "Bogohomo."

However, the modern up-to-date Pharmacist must be resourceful; and while I cannot bestow upon you an opulent city, filled with a splendid people, I can offer you something "just as good"-the right hand of fellowship and a hearty greeting. We feel honored by your presence in our midst, and trust that we may discharge the pleasant duties of host so agreeably that the memory of this meeting will ever be cherished in your hearts.

You have met with us before, and now as we stand upon the threshold of the twentieth anniversary of the Alabama Pharmaceutical Association, it is meet and fitting that we should again meet in Montgomery-a city dear to us all, and about which are clustered so many historical reminiscences.