The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1860-01-07
Merchants and Manufacturers' Ex.
change-Annual Report of the Board
of Directors. ~ ~ !

Merchants and Manufacturers Ex-
change-Annual Report of the Board
Of Directors. q. -s.
The annual meeting of the Merchants and
Manufacturers' Exchange was held q day or
two sgo,and officers elected for the ensuing year,
which we have already published. The an
nual report of the Directors was read al the
same time, Of which We give below brief ab-
stract.
The following is the financial condition Of
the Exchange:
Receipts during the year l57 Is
Balance in Treasury. ury.""."...."........".". $50 40
The first year Of an organization is the one
most likely to incur d-bt, but with the Ex-
change, as will be seen from the above fnan-
cial report, 1t has not only been able to defray
all the expenses incurred, but has a small bal
ance on hand. This Is somewhat remarkable,
for the outlay has been larger than the Board
has reason to believe 1t will be again, because
Of the disbursements necessary to furnish the
rooms, advertising, printing, &C., which, here
after, or for some time, at least,w not again
occur.
The roll of membership is quite large, and
compares favorably with the Merchants Ex-
change Of this city, and the prospects in this
respect, although the attendance is not what
the Directors could desire, are very encourag-
ing.
The rooms of the Exchange, at the corner of
Third and Walnut, are kept open for the con-
venienos of members, daily from A. M. to 8
P, M, and daily record of the attendance
has been kept, open for inspection at all times,
which the Board regards as good feature, and
therefore recommends its continuance as
matter of historical interest.
The Board regret that an Exchange of such
a character should be so little appreciated by
the parties for whose benefit it was organized,
and affirm that the cause does not lie in the
want of members, but in their individual in
huenoe.
They have not made it a place of trade, nor
have they attended regularly. They have not
invited or induced traders to attend it's meet
ngs. They have not made it directory
representive Sf business. They have not suf.
fciently advertised their trades and callings
on the bulletin boards. They have not ex-
posed their articles of trade on exchange.
They have not generally used the exchange
boxes as medium of intercourse. The me-
chanic and manufacturers have not closed
their contracts here. The architect has not
laid his plans open to be examined by those
interested. The carpenter, bricklay or, and
mason, have purchased their material else
where.
The Exchange, the report says, should be q
place Of regular daily attendance, and the
regular transaction of business mart and
an emporium for trade--a daily resort of five
hundred or more mechanics, manufacturers
and others; daily expositor of industrial and
kindred pursuits, grand intelligence depot
where could be purchased all articles from q
load of sand to steam engine, from plank
to a railroad car.
The most difficult year of the crisis Of new
organization has been passed; the Exchange
is free from debt; the members have good and
comfortable rooms and furniture, suitable fa-
olities ere presented for the transaction of
business, and the Board earnestly hope 1t may
be appreciated by tho members, that they will
cast of their previous indifference, and that
during the coming year it may benefit those
interested, and accomplish the object for which
1t was founded.