Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-10-24
THE CaTrNN TAK.
MEETING OF THE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE. YEs-
TERDAK.
Memorial 20 Congress 10 Repeal
The Tax, Adopted.

A meeting of the members Of the
Chamber Of Commerce was held yester'
day for the purpose Of taking steps To
memorabilia Congress to repeal the in
fiquitous cotton tax. The greatest inter
est was taken in the proceedings, the
meeting being very largely attended,
every branch Of business in the city be-
ing represented, while the cotton factors
were out in full force. The President,
T. A. Nelson, occupied the chair, and
Mr.. Ridgeiy, Assistant Secretary, IN the
absence Of Col. John Heart, officisted as
Secretary.
REMARKS or THE PRESIDENT.
The President, in opening the proceed
ings, made the following remarks
Gentlemen: The object Of the meeting
has slready beer announced by RdveF-
tisement, to be for the purpose OF adopt
ingsuitable measurestO memOrialize Con-
gress to remove the burthen under which
the Southern country is now staggering,
on account of the tax on cotton. b 1t
Is running the prosperity Of the country,
has almost paralyzed the energies Of our
people, and reduced the laborers TO pow
erty and want, is plain to any observing
man. The planters and the negroes are
poorer to-day than they were a year ago.
No man can raise cotton and pay a tax
on il and successfully compete with for
eign productions. II the Government
and our Northern friends want US to
raise cotton, they must foster its produe-
ton, rather than Cypress it. Otherwise
il must cease, except so far as Is neces-
sary to supply the Southern States
Iwhere il will be manufactured and
uerhaps a very few hundred thousand
bales in addition, TO purchase the actuai
necessaries of life until the productions
of the country can be changed, and
money raised from some other crop.
Scarcely a planter in the country has
paid expenses this year. Immediate re-
iiefi Is absolutely necessary by repeal Of
the cotton tax law, and refunding all
0 paid since September lst. Unless
that is done, and done promptly, at an
early day after the meeting OF Congress,
people canuOt raise money to plant
next year, and the production of our
great Southern staple must, TO a great
extent, cease, and the people u
turn their attention to other crops
that do rot require so much labor.
believe that when Congress properly
understands our condition, they will af-
ford the necessary relief, which viii give
joy to every white man and every negro
in our country.
Mr.. W. S. Pickett moved that a Com.
of five be appointed by the Chair
to prepare a series Of resolutions, and to
draft 8 memorial to Congress praying
FOR the repeal Of the cotton tax. Carried,
and the Chair appointed as such Com
Messrs. w r. Moore, Chairman
+. NJ. Mahan, W. s. Pickett, J. J. Muir
ply and A. P. Burditt. The Committee
then retired.
During the absence of the Committee,
Col. Leon Trousdale was called on to
make some remarks. He said he was
prepared to make s. set speech on the
question before the meeting. There was,
however, but one opinion on the subject,
and that was that the tax bore very
heavily on the best interests Of the South,
and was bringing ruin on al engaged in
the cultivation Of cotton. 1t was d mat
ter Of the most vital interest, both to the
and to the North, that the tax
should be repealed without delay. He
observed that efforts were being made ia
several Of the large cities of the North
10 bring the matter Of repeating the tax
Congress, and they ought to second
their efforts in every way that lay in
their power. He had formerly thought
that any action taken by the people Of
the South would have very little iDfiu-
ance with Congress, but he wss now of
opiuion that urgent memorials, backed
IN with others from the North and
by the members of the mercan-
tile community, might have the desired
effect.
M. Gage suggested that committees
should be appointed to visit Northern
and Southern cities in the interest of
this question.
Judge Thomas r. Smith on being
called on, referred to the importance Of
using every effort to have the tax re-
1t was erippling the best inter
asts of the Southern country, while the
was also feeling very decidedly the
Of the tax. He thought they
do well to bring the matter in q
before Mr.. McCUllOch, Secre-
tsry OF the Treasury.
At this stage Of the proceedings the
committee entered the room.
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS.