The New York herald., 1866-07-08
Meeting Of Merchants at the Chamber OF
Comms rec.

Comnss rec.
A COMMITTEE OF TWENTY-FIVE APPOINTED TO COL.
LBcT SUBSCRIPTIONS IN AID OF THE sUFFERERs
by THE PoRTLAND RIRE.
A meeting Of the merchants OF this city was held
yesterday ct the Chamber Of Commerce. to take
Immediate steps 70 relieve tho Of the sufferers by
the late dreadful nre Portland Owing to the sudden
ness and the insufficient publicity given the call for the
meeting, not more than twenty persons were
present at the appointed hour There is Qucs-
merchants OF New York with the promptpcss and lbe
rality which have made their charitable deeds proven
bial would have assembled in their strength and
ributed with spirit " generosity worthy OF themselves
and commensurate with the wants Of the sufferers by
this appalling calamity Mr. A. A. Low President of the
Chamber Of Commerce, called to the chair and Mr.
Elliot ,. sheppard appointed secretary.
On calling the meeting TO order tho chairman said the
heat OF the weather and ignorance Of the call
for the few persons present for him
TO say word the subject which brought them there
The great calamity which had fallen upon the city OF
Portland was known TO every one. Il was bard to
measure the cxtent OF that calamity by comparing m
familiar with the ravages OF nre in their midst
and OF them had forgotten the calamity OF 1885,
which laid waste part Q, tue Guy aes.royins Immense
bers Of mercantile community. But this disaster
which had fallen upon Portland in It's magnitude and ex
tent IN amount Of personal Inconvenience and the
number Of families turned houseiess and homeless
seemed To 60 beyond like calamity recorded In the
history OF our country. Il was honorable TO the
citizens the United States that meetings are every
where being held far away St Louis, TO ex
tend immediate relief 10 them. was TO be hoped New
YORK would maintain the stand she had always taken In
giving relief To her coustrymen However, with the
limited number present would remain with the meet
ing 10 decide whether they would proceed adjourn 10
Monday next when, with suitable notice. great gather
Ing OF persons would he present Even the gentlemen
who signed the call for the meeting not present,
which no thought was strange
The Secretary then read the following letter from
Mayor Holman
Messrs BRowS BrorHyss Co.
GErrtEntSr yesterday issued notice 10 c4tlacns that
would receive aud forward subscriptions 10 the Mayor f
Portland observe that meeting has snce besn osed Al
the of the Chamber Of Commerce noon today ana
another NJ the Astor House, At thr~s p NJ Yonp
being appended 70 the former cali taxa the liberty
Of saying that my notice vas onv Intended IN ra,eh
might dsnre contribute throseh hle rha
mel II your movement resais In organisson Il viii OF
supesede nina Am prevented BY duties from
attending the meeting Al twelve, but beg that shall
be glad 20 operss with yon In any way and 70 unite any
subscriptions which receive with the which NAV
csedsns servant JoHH = HoFrSis. is.psSS Ss,Syr yeur
Mr. e. B. Chittepden said II seemed 70 him ent,rev
unnecessary 10 word In regard 70 the terrible ma
turc Of the calamity at Portland Tho hungry and house
css people there appealed 10 the sympath OF in an
irresistible manner II was necessary 70 appoint com
mco End treasurer, and he moved q committee ~ nye
be appointed with Treasurer 10 such subscrr.
tions Tor the destitute families of Portland the citizens
Of New York may send II unnecessary 10 make cal
on anybody. the facts before the community
viii rcsuh IN contributions snngcently ample frr tho
atnefreusv. ~ bre Uefe general msslnsg az over ma