R i T C H \ E -rC · H G. M. 1 T goes without saying that such an immense * trade as that of' the firm of George Ritchie & Co. could not be successfully carried on without capable and competent gentlemen at the heads of departments, and such a person has been secured in the general manager of the store, Mr. C, M. Reid. This gentleman has heen with the firm for upwards of twelve consecutive years, audit is needless to say that ho thoroughly understands the business in all its t details. Mr. Reid is an exceptionally eloyor buyer, attending altogether to the Canadian goods, and IUIH also been MIL c. M, i! HI I). |o Europe in I ho interests of the firm ho represents. Mi*. Reid makes a point of keeping an fait, with tho latest stylos and fabrics, and he IIMH the prices of tho different classes of goods at his lingers' ends. Kvory business man knows that one of tho loading ele.monts of success lies in the buying, the purchaser requiring a knowledge not only of t h e goods offered, but the demands of his customers, so that ho may act as an intelligent middleman between tho producer and the consumer, utilizing his knowledge to tho benefit of both. In this lino of work Mr. Reid excels, and as a ctmseq nonce the customers of George Ritchie & Co. have the advantage of selecting from goods of the latest styles and of the best quality, produced direct from the manufacturers on the most favorable terms. But Mr. Reid's duties and responsibilities do not end hero. He is chargeable for the proper keeping and selling of the stock, and it also falls to his lot to oversee the conduct and demeanor of tho salesmen when they are on duty. That he is efficient in this regard every one who has ever visited the store is well aware. All customers are treated politely and courteously, whether their purchase shall amount to a few cents or mount into the thousands of dollars. Mr. Reid is a native of Tweed, Hastings county, and enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the district. He is a son of the late deputy postmaster, aiul a nephew of Sir Mackenzie Bowell, one of the oldest newspaper men in the country, and the present popular Premier of the Dominion of Canada", whom Belleville is proud to claim as a citizen. ' Outside of his business Mr. Reid is a publicspirited citizen, a in ember of the Bridge Street Methodist Church, which is known to the denomination by reputation all over the Dominion, and a prominent director of the Young Men's Christian Association. .Mr. Reid well deserves the confidence that has been placed in. him, and in return he gives most valuable service to the firm that has been so fortunate as to have at its disposal the best labors of a gentleman so well qualified for the position he holds. Personally Mr. Reid njoys a large degree of popularity, being well nown to all our citizens as a gentleman in very sense of the word. W. H. GORDON. O Y no means the least important position-- *-' and many would regard it as the most important--in such a mercantile establishment as that of George Ritchie & Co. is the post of financial manager. In fact, were one writing solely for business men, there would be no occasion to speak of this point, for it is thoroughly understood in commercial circles, The financial man may make or mar the success of any commercial enterprise, and the mere fact that a mail holds such a position is a in itself Srima facie oyience of his ability and qualifications. Mr. W. H. GorMil. W. Ho G Oil DON. don, who holds the position of financial manager for the firm of George Ritchie & Co., enjoys to an exceptional degree the confidence of his principal, and fully merits the trust'that is reposed in him. Mr. Gordon has had the advantage of a thorough business training, which may be said to be in some measure inherited. Mr. Gordon is a son of Mr. Robert Gordon, manager of the private banking firm of Murphy, Gordon & Co., Tweed, and first entered tho office of George Ritchie & Co. as bookkeeper as far back as 1870, remaining with tho firm over since. During these nineteen years he has witnessed the growth of tho business to a throe-fold proportion. That is to say, though it was a large concern for those days when ho became connected wil-h it, it has now assumed treble its si/,o. Air. Gordon may bo said, in a sense, to have grown up with tho business, and ho is in consequence thoroughly conversant with all tho details. Mr. Gordon has for several years hold n power of attorney to act in alt I ho financial affairs incident to tho firm's extensive business. Thin slate of affairs is no loss creditable to Mr. Ritchie Hum to Mr, Gordon. The former had tho penet ration to discover a worthy and reliable man in whom to place his trust, and Mr. Gordon has shown by his conduct the soundness of the judgment that prompted his selection for the responsible position. .It was not to bo expected that a gentleman of Mr. Gordon's business qualifications and known probity of personal character could long be overlooked in the search for elHcicnt public servants, and it was but natural that ho should have been asked to place his services at the disposal of his fellowcitizoiifcj. Mr. Gordon's municipal record covers one term as a member of tho board of education, while he is now serving his third term as an alderman. In his public and private life Mr. Gordon has made a host of friends, \yho recognize in him the many sterling qualities that go to make up a good man and public-spirited citizen. He is a prominent member of the Tabernacle Methodist Church, having been for years president of the Ep worth League and superintendent of the Sunday school.