Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-02-26
Board of Trade.

MORE FOR NINETY CENTS.
An adjourned meeting OF the Board OF Trade
was heId last evening at their rooms, No. 1
Market Space. the wee president John L.
MItchsll, Esq, in the chair, aud n. Sardo Sec
IetaTy.
Mr. Wall, chairman of the committee to rem
resent the interests of the Board before Con-
sress. sstd a letter had been sent TO the Secre.
fary of War by Senator Chandler, calling on
him for information IN regard TO the new
channel of the Potomac. Gen. Humphreys
had made report on the same, and II was now
before the Senate Committee on Commerce
Mr.. w. said Senator Morrill, told him an APP
preparation of S2jOGOO would be made for the
improvement Of the river, and he thought the
bill would pass the House
Mr. X NJ. Hall offered the following pream-
BILE ana resolutions:
Whereas by the terms of the Constitution of
the United States, the District of Columbia
was sacTeOly set apart 10 be known and for
ever held by the Government as the seat of the
National Capital and 10 be governed by the
national Will through their Representatives
and Senators IN Congress assembled: and
whereas the city OF Washington in said DIS
JTiCt, was, by a wonderful foresight. laid out
upon scale of magnifcence unequaiIed by
any other city OF tue world, and in remark
able keeping with the gigantic growth of the
nation and the wants of that nation in Its can
ltal; and whereas the nation and the city of
Washington have now reached a point in their
growth giving us but glimpse of what the
tzsufs shall be, and believing, as we do, that
Iae Explorations OF this District (Washingto on,
<.u<Setown, and the Levy Court,) are I'M
CAN TO the great work of making this capital
what our national grandeur requires, but tend
Re impede our progress, dsrange local affairs,
and Cramp local energies, and are powerIess
10 improve our grand avenues and broad
streets, to give us sewerage, perfect police reg
alatiOns, pleasant parks or any general orns-
mentatIOn and further believing that this
Union of States should have an abiding inter-
est In the growth, the beauty, and glory OF
Washington as the capital OF our American
Republic: Therefore, be il
Resolved, That IN tue opinion of the Board
OF Trade for this District these conflicting and
feeble governments should be forth with aboI-
lshed, and To this end respectfully pray that
Congress Will speedily enact some general
form of government for the entire District de-
clare Washington and Georgetown one city,
and enact such other legislation as will make
the CAPITAL OF the American Republic a model
city of the nation.
MT. Thorn said he was favor of the reso
buttons, but he preferred that they should say
IN plain terms .'take away the city charter y"
Mr. Hall said II was his desire not 10 put
anything in the resolutions of 8 political char
acter. II was well known that changes had
been made here relative 10 the elective fran
chise, and Congress might say yes gentle
men you come In AT very late day, no that
we have allowed the color ed man TO vote, Won
say take away the charier"
ed m L vans i'O'e0 the feS0'"'i'nS De adopt
Mr.. Bacon said the Board of Trade should
De careful ABOUT meddllng in politics and the
city government.
Mr.. KidwelI thought the resolutions very
ludIclOus. The prosperity of the people of this
District would commence when GEORGETOWN
and washington were united under one gov
eminent.
tHte for the resolution of Mr.. Hall:
RsSotred, That the committee on District of
columbia be requested to report a bill repeal
ing the charters of Washington and George
town, and that the two cities be governed ne
one, under commissioners appointed as Con-
gress may determine.
Mir. Mitchell said large portion OF the husi-
ness men aad property holders OF both cities
Were In favor ofrepealing the charter aud con-
solidating the two cities. ILwas only opposed
%, Dy lew talking men and nce-holders under
The substitute Of MI Thorn was adoptad.
with the preamble offered sy Mr.. Hall.
Messrs. Mitchell, Hail, and Orme were an.
pointed as the committee.
Mr.. Wilson T.. Brown offered the following:
whereas all that portion Of the Chesapeake
ana Obio canal lying within the limits of
washington, commencing At Rock Creek and
terminating 81 foot Of 18th street. has for the last
eight or ten years been utterly useless as an
avenue Of trade, for which II was intended by
allowing II 10 I'LL up TO such extent as 70
preclude the possibility Of the passage of lig ht-
est draught boats. 10 the great detriment Of the
cinzens OF Washington, by hutting of all trade
and traff1c by this route Oct cen this CITY and
the fertile regions OF West Virginia, MaryIand
and the Cumberland coal mines, thereby
causing All coal 10 De either landed at George
town or lowed down the Potomac river Some
miles and thence 10 Washington, at the cost 10
consumers Of one dollar advance per ton, to
say nothing Of the great quantity OF produce
that would pass through this channel TO the
metropolis OF the natien, and by seyerinR TINS
great artery OF trade. the Government, which
consumes In this city alone fifty thousand tons
per annum, II loser 10 the amount of s5OU,O:
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That a committee OF three be ap-
pointed 10 wait upon the Board OF Directors
OF the chesapeake ana Ohio Canal Company
and request that the canal be cleared ana put
~ good order oeiweeR Rock Creek and Wash
lhgton city, so IS TO make IL vigable for canal
boats IN accordance with the proytsions of
their Charter, and that the committee he in
suueted TO press the necessity OF this great
Improvement, and II necessary TO employ
counsel 10 furnish brief OF the companyis
charier that the committee may act ad yisedly
IN the matter, and there is hereby appropria.
leo out OF any money thai may be in tue treas
sum of $50 WIG
Mr.. GuInand thought it best TO make them
open the lock At Rock Greek and bring the
boats out In the river where they cou1d ne
lowed TO the various wharves OF WASHINGTON
Our corporate authorities should raise the X
sueet bridge 80 boats could return unloaded.
he thought the company could net clear out
Inc canal, because they were bankrupt
III. hidweli also advocated the passage of
Mr.. Bacon offered the following as a substi.
tute for DIR Browns resolution, and IL was
Resolred. That a committee of three bs an
pointed to call upon the directors of the Ches
Apeake and Onie Canal and press upon their
'Attenuon me necessity Of repairing the canal
from hock Greek to 18th street, and also to re-
pair the outlet lock in the Potomac
Messrs. Brown, T. J. Gait, and DR.. Kid well
were appointed ~ such committee.
mr. Metxerott said he had been in formed that
II was proposed to establish Board of Trade
in Georgetown, by the Merchants of tina. place.
IN opposition 70 this Board.
DR. Kidwell said 10 WA ouly a Corn ~
change that was 10 be established.
Mr.. Hall stated there was gentlemen in the
room who had been very active wor ker on
the Potomac Railroad bill, (Mr. Gideon r..
Walker) He hoped the gentleman would adj
dress the Board. Calls being made for Mr.
W, ne said he had organized q company and
procured charter for a tide water canal from
the chesapeake Bay TO the Anacos,ia River
Seven different routes mad been suryeyed hut
fhe ground was high and % was found nec.s
sary TO have the charter changed from tida
water 70 lock canal, which was done last vasr
and work on the canal would soon ne COM
nenced. Mr.. Walker then spoke OF the Poto-
mae Railroad and the difficulty in gettinr the
charter on account Of the opposition by Mr..
Garrett, OF the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Al
one time that road brought such influence ON
the Senate Committee that they agreed 10 re-
port against the bill The road would now be
completed in eight months, and persons car
IIed between Washington and Baltimore TO-
ninety c. nts, and three years hence the Wash
lngton nr.nch OF the Baltimore i Ohio road
Will be worth nothing.