Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-07-02
tMAnIRER Oh CosIlaERCE.
Meeting OF the Business Men
Yesterday.

vital question "tO be or not to be-" was
comparatively a success. We say "eom-
para.tively," for there were some seventy
persons present, number double that
whish has met there st any previous
calk-yet very small portion of our
business community, and not a
1.-THE Of what the attendance should
have been. At half past twelve
the meeting WIS called to order by T. A.
Mellon, Esq, President. who in few
words introduced the object of the meet
ing, and spoke of bis modification at the
apathy Of the business men Of Memphis,
and the little interest manifested at the
former meetings. He wanted to know
whether the Chamber Of Commerce was
to continue live institution or whether
they had assembled there to attend its
funeral. The financial condition of the
Chamber, he said, was very healthy,
only about $500 being owed by it, and
that was for the rent Of the rooms.
AT the conclusion Of Mr.. Nelson's re-
marks, Mr.. Frank Mshan arose and Of
fere.i 8 resolution that the Chamber of
Commerce be continued q live institu-
ton, and made few happy remarks in
support of the motion.
T.is motion Of Mr. Mahan's received
several seconds and brought several gen.
tlemen to the floor, which was given TO
Capt. James Lee, who addressed the
meeting in quite a lengthy speech, in
whish he spoke Of the powers and duties
of the Chamber of Commerce, aud urged
upon the body to assert and use them.
Much has been said, said he, "snd It
is contended that the carrying trade is
being driven away from Memphis by
the excessive prices charged for
transportation. 1t is in the power
of the Chamber of Commerce to
remedy this. If the railroads are
found to be charging exorbitant rates
for transportation, let the President of
this body notify them Of that faet-Iet
him say, gentlemen we have built your
roads, and we have a right to be heard
and will be heard in this matter. If the
prerondersnce Of trade is against Men,
phis, it is in the power Of this body to
courteraet it. How did Paducah get
the tobacco trade She made up her
mind to have it, and said, bring us your
tobacco here, gentlemen, and we win
pay you for it. She did not ask whether
freig ht would be one dollar or five dol
lars ton or hogshead. She knew that
no matter what they paid, the man who
sold his tobacco there would buy his pro-
visions there and sped his money there.
Why should it not be brought here to
Memphis? We have every natural ad-
vantage, no bars to cross, plenty of water
the yesr round, and CneZsmpled "a
cilfties of al sorts to send the produce Of
this rich and teeming country that sur
round US, to New Orleans or to Europe.
And yet everything is going past our
doOrs.i" The gentleman continued In sn
able manner to review the causes and
effects which led to this state of affairs,
taking occasion to give slap at the
wharf boats and merchants who do not
patronage the local packets.
When he sat down, Mr.. Nelson spoke
a moment on Capt. Malcne's motion,
and Mr.. Gates arose and urged the ne
cessity of maintaining the organization.
Capt. Malone arose and said he would
like to add to his resolution 8 vote OF
thanks to the officers Of the Chamber
of Goa merge fer the manner in which
they have conducted the business for a
year past, and that deliDqueDts be called
upon and made to pay up their arrear-
ageB.
Mr.. Nelson thosght that these amend
meuts had better not be added, and on
sta ting his reasons the motion was with
drawn.
Mr.. w. 81. Harrington followed in a
short address. He thought that the
Chamber Of Commerce had much more
credit abroad than at home. It had &C.
con- plished several public benefits-for
instance the free delivery Of letters to all
parts of the city, the placing OF the mail
boxes at the corners, and many other
things which did not then occur to him.
Ai.r. 3 elson then PCT to vote the mo-
ton Of Capt. Mahan, which was as fol-
lows:
hesolved, That the Chamber OF Com
meree be continued as live institution.
II was seconded, and on the ayes and
moss being called, was passed mem con.
A motion Was thea made TO suspend
the rules, to allow any gentlemen pres
ent who desired to become members the
opportunity of doing so, without having
to wait over one meeting.
fhs rglss were suspended, and the
names of Col. James SWaZpe, W. B.
GreenIaw, billiard, Pinson 4 Co, W. b.
Do1oho and James Lee " ere proposed,
balloted for and unanimously elected.
w. S. Pickett, Esq, then offered the
following resolution
{IesoiUed, By The Chamber Of Commerce
of Memphis, That fine of 81 be assessed
uDcrn delinquent mem bers of this Cham
Der VINO faI e attend any regular month
Iy meeting Of tIlfs- DharlseF, l,n!sss said
DELINQUENT mem Der be absent from the
CITY, or car render a reasonable excuse
for his absence at the next regular meet
ing, satisfsctory to the Chamber.
by Mr.. Nelson Is that offered as a
resoIution or ss an amendment to the
bylaws?
Mr.. Pickett thought that it had better
be incorporated IN the bylaws.
EIr. NeIson-It viii have to lie over
Ona month.
rir. Farrington a9kcd Il there was one
member Of q firm present would the
others be considered az absent and 6nea-
bic.
Mr.. Nelson-Of course not.
Mr.. Gates then offered the following
resolution, which he supported in an
able speech:
i2esolUed, That the President be in
stgncted to appoint the following Com
mittees, each ComIaittee 10 consist OF
three, TO be reported at the next regular
maeting of the Chamber: On Trans
portasion of Memphis and Charleston
Railroad on Transportation Of Memphis
and Ohio Railroad on Transportation OF
Mississippi ana Tennessee Railroad;
on Transportation on River Steam
Packets; on Agriculture on Manufac-
fules on Commerce; on Immigration
and on Insurance; which Committees
shall be considered standing Commit
tets; also q Committee to wait upon the
liens in regard to sustaining the
Chamber OF Commerce.
The motion was also supported by
Capt. Lee, who suggested that the last
committee wait upon the citizens. On
being put to the vote the resolutions were
passed.
Capt. Moore introduced a resolution
inquiring into the rumor which is sfloat