The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-23
Board of Trade.

IT. writer Of this some years since endea-
~nrea n impress upon the people OF Rich
,oond the Importance of Board OF Trade
., the management of the commercial affairs
If the city, and the watching and guarding OF
Tho commercial and other interests of our
reenle. II NAV have been that the day was
+oo carly hut we have recently returned to
the subject under the conviction that II the
objection was good at that day, it is now of
- eo-ce wbateyer-such has been the in
crease of our population and commerce since
than We are glad to see by the communica-
,;on If an intelligent mercantile gentleman,
which has appeared in the daily papers, that
others feel an interest in the subject, and we
home that the interest may be sufficiently
general to occasion some early action upon 1t.
II is certainly time Richmond had Mer-
chants Exchange and Boardof Trade. Every
day we see where, for the want of them, the
interests of this community are suffering.
BOARD of Trade aided by the full and free
conference of the Merchants at their daily
conversations, could take action that would be
Of great advantage to the public interest just
at the proper time. They would be always
ready TO do so, and subjects could be acted up
on as they arose A Board of Trade is
sentinel upon the watch tower to espy dan
ger in the distance, and it is better than
sentinel, inasmuch as it tells how the danger
is TO be avoided Recommendation of
Board of Trade always command respect
1t would be an interesting study to examine
the history of the large cities in this country,
to see what effect upon their destinies had
been exerted by Boards of Trade. Indepen-
dent of what they accomplish by their exer
tions at home within the boundaries of their
cities, we all know that in the National Leg
islature, the petitions and the arguments of
the Boards of Trade of the great cities re-
ceive the most respectful attention and have
a weight of authority which is accorded to
no ordinary petition, promiscuously signed
and sent to Congress. They are entitled to
this consideration for the intelligence and ex-
perience which they can bring to their aid.
In controlling the affairs of city, in the
advancement of its general welfare and pros
perity, the agency of such Board is inap-
probably important. 1t properly takes cog
nizance of every subject affecting the general
interest-local distractions to commerce,
such as impossible streets, or streets out of
repair-the inspection laws and usages that
may be prejudicial to trade-the general sub
.ject of Improvement as affecting the interests
of the city-and the whole subject of ship
ping, river navigation and maratime com
merce. On all these matters, whether with
the City Council, the Legislature or Congress,
there is no more effective mode of present
ing them for remedial Legislation or reform
than through an intelligent Board of Trade
We hope not many months will be permit
ted to elapse before we have such Board.
Of course, we must have as in some sort in
separable from it a Merchants Exchange A
building that could accommodate these, and
would afford room for many offices, Libra
ry and place for public meetings, would be
desirable. With these improvements, we
could have our commercial power embodied
and organized, and could bring it to bear with
the greatest advantage for the common good
Of the city.