Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-10-20
Norfolk Commercial Convention.

assembled in this State 1t is said that there
were as many as $500 delegates in attendance.
About noon on Wednesday, the 18th, the
first day of the Convention, it is reported that
over two thousand delegates marched in body,
preceded by band of music, to the Opera
House, where the Convention was called to Or
der by Colonel William Lamb, ex-Mayor of
Norfolk city.
After prayer by Rev. Z. C. Lindsey, of the
CRANKY street Methodist Church, Col. Lamb
delivered spirited address, extending hearty
welcome to the delegates on behalf of the city.
At the conclusion of Col. Lambs address,
Judge Mckinney, of Knoxville, was made
temporary chairman, and Colonel ". H. Tay-
lor, of Norfolk Qate of General Lees staff,
of the chairmen of delegations, was appointed to
/ report plan for permanent organization. Du-
ring their absence speeches were made by Hon.
Mr. Clapp, of Tennessee; Colonel Goode Of
Norfolk Hon. Waller R. Staples, of Virginia !;
and Major L. S. Marye, of Memphis. These
speakers briefly explained the objects of the
Convention, and urged the importance of car
rying them out, appealing to delegates to cast
aside all local and political prejudices and settle
| upon practical plan of action for the good OF
| the whole country.
| The committee on their return reported in
| favor of President, three Vice Presidents
| from each State, two Secretaries from Virginia
and one from each other State represented.
This plan being agreed to, Colonel George
W. Boiling, of Petersburg, was nominated and
chosen President.
Wee Presidents -Peter G. johnson. A. d.
Dickinson, and David ]. Brown, of Virginia !;
P. G. Nelson, A. J. Mckinney, and L. S.
Marye of Tennessee; Colonel H. A. Gillian,
D. S. Hill, and Seaton Gales, of North Carroll
ma Colonel Bush, William p Howle, and G.
?. Rudd, of Kentucky.
Secretaries. R. Fl. Glass and r. W. Hughes,
of Virginia. w. j. Ramage, of Tennessee !;
P E. Hill, of North Carolina Oliver Lucas
Of Kentucky.
On taking the chair, COL Boiling delivered
an address, after which Gen. Malone submit
ted report from the Committee of the Bristol
Direct Trade Convention, which was referred to
a special committee of seven from each State
At half past the Convention took recess
until half past O'clock to partake in the mean
time of the Inequalities of Norfolk city.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Having partaken to an unlimited extent of
the bountiful supplies furnished at the Conven-
ton Clubhouse, the delegates re-assembled at
halfpast 8 o'clock
On the committee appointed on motion of
General Malone, Virginia is represented by e.
W. Hubbard, William D. Reynolds, John B.
Baldwin, A. S. Buford, r. W. Hughes, r. Fl.
Glass, and G. L. Darlington.
General P. G.. johnson offered resolution
providing for the appointment of committee
of thirteen to report upon the best method Of
completing communication between Norfolk
and the Great West The resolution was a.
mended to require the committee to inquire in
to the expediency of connecting the line from
Norfolk to the West with the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad, and as amended was adopted af
ter some discussion.
A resolution offered by W. B. Hope, of Ken
y,
quire into the expediency of building railroad
from some point on the Virginia and Tennessee
railroad to Louisville, KY, was also adopted.
The business committee then retired, and the
Convention adjourned until II O. clock on Thurs
day.
On Thursday morning, the Committee On
Business General Malone chairman reported,
with their approval, the report Of the commit
| tee Of the Bristol Convention on the subject Of
| establishing steam line between Norfolk and
| Liverpool. The questions referred to the COM
mittee were the obtaining a charter incorpora-
| ting steamship company, and raising the nee
essary funds for establishing the company.
The Committee report that they find char
ter granted by the Legislature of Virginia, at
its session in 1S66-'67, for the incorporation of
company to be known as the International
| Commercial Company Of Norfolk, which is ad-
mirably adapted to the objects sought to be at
tanned by the Convention. Under this charter
there are ample powers and privileges certainly
for all immediate purposes, and in accordance
with Its provisions subscriptions may at once
be made and an organization effected
The committee urge that the time has arrived
for positive and practical action; that the food
tide In the movement is now at hand, and if
taken advantage of glorious results will follow
1t is an admitted fact, they say, that the pro
ductive resources of the country interested are
more than ample to sustain the enterprise they
are now about to inaugurate The entire ex
ports for the year 1856 amounted to over $780,
600, 600 in value, Of which the Southern States
exported direct over $3.50, 200, 900, to say noth~
Ing OF the amount of their products exported
through Eastern cities The imports taken by
the South the same year were over $3.50 OOO,-
900, Of which she imported direct only SOL
100000 She paid $ll ,OOO,OOO for the seryi
ces Of middemen, and in outside commissions
some $3000,0 900 more. In 1860, the value of
Northern productions exported was $l64,OOO,-
| 900, while of Southern it was $2O8, 600, OOO.-
The imports North were 1921, OOo, 900, while
those South were only $40,O0O,O00
1t is within the compass of the several inter-
ests of Virginia and Tennessee to make up the
small amount of capital necessary to establish
direct trade, which will secure to both States
degree of prosperity not otherwise attainable.
The committee think 100000 enough for
nreSent Durnosns and tn form basis of mora