The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-04-29

MERCHANTS ExcHANGE.-A meeting Of the
merchants and business men Of the city was
held at the rooms of the Merchants Exchange
on Saturday forenoon. to consider the subject
Of erecting building suited to the wants of
the Merchants Exchange, the Board of Trade,
and for other purposes w. W. Woodbury.
Esq, called the meeting to order, and nominal
ed T. c. Hersey, Esq, President Of the Board
of Trade, for Chairman.
Mr.. Hersey, on taking the chair, made few
remarks upon the object for which the meeting
was called, and alluded to the necessity felt for
building where our merchants, manufactur-
the prosperity Of the city could meet daily and
consult upon measures for the public good
he suggested that portion of the loan au-
thorised BY the city, for rebuilding purposes,
could be obtained, and that il could not be
better expended than in erecting such build
ing as was needed fog the Exchange and Board
of Trade, He said no place had been SO much
missed by business men since the fire a. the
Merchants Exchange.
Rensselaer, Cram, Esq, said the property
holders should come forward and invest in this
enterprise, as it was one of the utmost import
ance to the business community and to the in
terests Of the city. He did not doubt that .
sum sufficient to erect and cover in the build
ing could be raised before autumn, but pre-
ferred that the whole amount necessary to
fully complete the ediice should be first raised,
and that would ensure an earlier completion
Of the proposed building.
Ex-Gov. Washburn was urgent for the erec-
ton of an Exchange building We cannot do
without It; and for want of suitable place for
our business men to concentrate, many enter
prises of the utmost importance to the pros
perity of the city would fail He was in favor
Of commencing operations as soon as the sum
Of $4,000 was subscribed. But he would not
be strenuous for that, and if it was thought
best the work could be put of until $4,000 had
been subscribed. Erect Merchants Exchange
and We shall give character to our city, and the
investment would, also, prove good one to
the stockholders.
Nj. w. W. Harris said he cordially concurred
in the remarks which had been made, and was
willing to do according to his ability.
} Hon. John Lynch agreed with the Chairman,
that no place had been 80 much missed by
the business msn, since the fire, as the Mer-
chants Exchange; and he was in favor of erect
ing building for that purpose as speedily 40
possible. 1t would be a sound and safe invest
ment, and he had no doubt the amount needed
for the purpose could be obtained
Mr.. j. w. Waterhouse was in favor Of push
ing the enterprise to speedy and successful
issue. He was willing to invest all he could
spare in the building, believing that it would
be safe investment, and one that would re-
turn good interest. He believed that the real
estate on Exchange street and vicinity would
be greatly benefited by the erection Of such
building, and that it would be for the general
good Of the public. VS. +
W. W. Woodbury., Esq, said it could be
demonstrated beyond doubt, and to the Salts
faction Of every subscriber, that building,
such as was in contemplation, would pay at
least ten per cent. on the cost.
The meeting was quite an animated one.
Several subscriptions were added to the list,
and Mr.. J. w. Waterhouse was added to the
committee to procure subscriptions.
Now that our merchants have got the matter
working, let them keep it agitated until they
secure the necessary amount to erect and com
plete building that will be an honor to them
- we'll as . credit to our city.