The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-04


meeting Of the Chamber of Commerce held In
the Merchants Bank yesterday afternoon for the annual
election Of officers In the absence Of Mr. Psrit the
President Mr. Barrtow, Of the Vice Presidents,
cupied the chair After the reading and adoption OF
the minutes Of the meeting Mr. Barstow announced
the business in order TO be baoting for members
Mr.. John D. Terry, Mr.. solon Humpnriss Mr. Henry II.
Smy tn, Mr. J. X. Myer, Mr. Edmund M. Young, and Mr.
p l. Mills Jr were duly elected. The next business
in order the election of member Of the Arbtrstio
Committee, TO fill the place Of James q. King, whcss
term has ezpired Mr. Isaac Il Reed was elected. Ths
reports of standing and special committees mex
subject Of the usury laws, as ioli,ws:
The comm'tee formed in september last, with view
70 securing reform IN our usury laws beg leave now
The report adopted by the Chamhsr in October last
has been widely circulated, and has been commenta
upon in most Of the leading journals Of the Unite
States, well in Canada and Great Britain, an
seems to have awakened great unanimy of interest in
favor of the contemplated reform Memorials
culated throughout the principal business portions Of
The city and signed by about three thousand active
uaang men. embracing all classes or merchants and
many among the mechanical pursuits An appropriate
moral been to the Legislature from this
Chamter, aleo from the Corn Exclsoge. Memorials
have also been sent from Buffalo, from Osweso, and
several other business points the interior Of tho
braclne two very able reports from the Senate and Az
sembly have also been distributed in and about our in
terror towns. The committees of both houses of ths
Legislature submitted good bills, which we're duly
placed the general 70 come for
their regular turn before the Committee Of the Whole
We feel great regret adding that Of these earnest
efforts to reform have yet been crowned with
success. Certain political leaders in and about Al
ahs unsy p Il .ny
would be regarded with osfavor in the Western sgrcu
tura districts of our state Under the influence Of such
Impressions insurmountable impediments placed
in the way OF reaching bill, as to bring 1t to
fair vote. Your committee, in the midst Of these
rassments feel gratfed in witnessing the increasing
teress IN all the principal trading points OF this State
by shswns that certain opiuons entertained in Albany,
to the 'psejudice'' in .he agricultural districts
against tree currency are almost entirely without oun
dation and that such inhersnt impressions may yet
partially remain are fast giving way TO the advancing
lights OF the age upon those tters. This gives the
most encouraging that the removal Of dis
credtable evil cannot be much longer delayed In
closing this report your committee would ask to be ds
charged believing they do that another COMMITTEES.
to be hereafter formed TO act in conjunction with a.
mlar committee from the Corn Exchange, might be
more eficacous than the present organizat.,n
The report accepted and the committee dischArg
ed. Mr. NJ. N. Freeman and Mr.. John Hilton we're nom-
mated members Of the Board Their names come up for
consideration ut the next meeting The board pro-
cseced TO the election of officers for the ensuing
Mr. Peleah Pert unanimously reelected President
OF the Board and Mr.. George Curtis first Vice Pressent
to fill the Vacancy occasioned by the retirement Of Mr.
Barstow, whose term expired. Mr.. Royal Phelps was
rer continued in Office, by unanimous consent also
Mr. Bogar Secretary both Of whom served last year.
Mr.. Joshua Pope was elected Chairman OF the Arbi
tIation Committee. The same committee on relations
with the Mercantile Library continued for another
year. Several of the committees who acted last year
continued for the ensuing year. The usual sp-
preparation Of $500 for incidental expenses coa-
tinued
Mr. MILLS called the attention OF the Chamber b
photographic likeness OF the late Walter R Jones,
from the gallery Mr. Brady who presents the picture
to the Chamber 1t accepted, ano due owiede
ment ordered to be made.
The thanks Of the Chamber unanimously voted
for the efficient services of Mr. Barstow the retiring
Vice President.
Mr. BARsTow rose and said :-Gentlemen-This vote of
thanks 80 foreign to my expectation that can scarce
Ny hest thanks, of course due and those proes.
The brief time that have acted Of the Vice Pres
dents has awakened in interest In matters legii
maely connected with thio Chamber and which interest
hope and trust will subsde. With grateful
acknowledgements for the ndulgent appreciation Of my
services, and with cordial Wishes for the continusd
health and prosperity Of my associates in the Chamber
retire,