Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-07-28
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.


ing were read by Mr.. Ridgely, the acting |
Secretary, and were adopted by the /
Chamber.
The President then called attention I
to the fact thst but one more regular /
meeting would take place before the end /
OF the commercial year, and he urged |
that il should be a full one, as business
Of much Importance and interest to the
city would come up for consideration |
and publication in the annual report.
A resolution was then adopted, author
izing the President to employ proper
person to make up the next annual state
ment.
Chas. Jones, Newton, Ford & Co., and |
the Memphis and st. Louis Packet Com
psny, were elected members of the
Chamber.
A resolution to fine absent members
two dollars was then offered, and mo-
ton to lay on the table was carried.
Mr.. Scheduled, from the Committee
on Insurance, reported that he had con-
suited with the different Insurance agents
in relation to areduction Of marine rates,
and they informed him that the subject
is now under consideration and revision
There is every prospect that a rate uni
form with the marine rates at New Or
leans will be established. This will be
considerable reduction.
Mr.. Moore, by request of the Chair
man OF the Committee, reported that
they had held q consultation with the
officers of the Memphis and Charleston
railroad, and learned to their satisfaction
that that road is working more to the in
terest of Memphis than any other road
terminating here. To illustrate this
their freight tariff on cotton for the
whole line Of two hundred and ten miles
is two and half dollars per bale, while
the Memphis and Louisville road charges
three dollars from Humboldt, and two
and half from Stanton Depot, and the
Mississippi and Tennessee road charges
a much higher freight tariff than the
Charleston road. The influence of the
Chamber is asked to obtain reduction
of the freight tariff over the different
roads.
Mr.. Stratton offered q resolution, which
was adopted, thst the same committee
continue their services to request the
railroads to reduce their freight rates.
Mr. Mshan, from the Committee or
WhaTfboats, then read long report, TO
the effect that he had carefully exam.
ined the books of the st. Louis wharf
boat, and found that they had always
charged full and uniform rates. Since
boats running from White river to Lou
isville and St. Louis he'd been withdrawn
| from the trade, freight rates are cOnsid-
erably advanced by the local packet
line, and in some instances to an unrea-
sonable amount, and he recomm ended
| that influence should be exerted to make
their charges lower. The st. Louis
packets do strictly legitimate business
| never receive orders from merchants
or people living along the river, nor do
| thew make collections Of any bills ex-
| cept their own freights. The report
closed by bringing to the consideration
Of the Chamber the necessity OF action
on the part of the city to stop the en-
croachments OF the river upon the upper
landing, and requesting them to consider
the feasibility OF issuing bonds and bor-
rowing money for the work Of improv-
ing the harbor.
Mr.. SIatton indorsed the report, ex
cept that part relating to the river en-
croachments, which he was decidedly
opposed to.
Capt. James Lee, jr., advocated the
expenditure of money to protect the
wharf from being washed away, and
| .t..,,o-t,t t,Crla obDuI1 ha icaund IN roisa
money for the purpose. He was glad to
see the Mayor of the city present, and
| wished he would use his influence to
have the merchants and city authorities
cooperate in working to the interests OF
the city. He opposed the advocacy OF
the shipment Of freights on steamers TO
be C. o. D., and making the steamboats,
responsible, as boats wish to please the
people along the river as well as the mer-
chant; and it was not always possible
to collect bills in this way without offend
ing consignees. He stated that the st.
Louis and Vicksburg packets were using
every art and influence that could be re.
sorted to for the purpose Of controlling
the trade below this city. The packets
running from here are extremely anx'
ious to do all the business in their power
1t is therefore improper to make them
responsible for the collection Of bills
They have enough to contend
with GU side OF this. He also
thought the present system of wharfage
onerous, unequal and unjust. A thou
. sand ton transient steamer can LIANT
here, lay few hours and take on all tn,
: freight she can get, and pay only twenty
, two dollars wharfage, while s regula
racket making her terminus here mus
pay eighty. He thought uniform rat
should be established, and all vessels pa,
the same. At ST. LOUIS and other cite
eight cents per ton is charged on all ves
sells landing at their levees, and b
thought the same thing should be don
here. If one steamer pays two cents, o
five or eight cents per ton wharfage, az
other should do the same. The presen
system discTiminates uajustly agsins
the local packets which have to pa,
more than those merely touching az
laying an hour or two.
MIR. Stratton agreed with Mr.. Lee o.
the wharf charge question, but though
the C. o. D. business a yer
small affair-puwortby of considers
: ton. He also thinks the rive
can never be controlled, and it will carr
. off the front of the city if it wants to, nc
y lens volens. II it went we weuld have
good landing in front of the city.
g would be the highth of folly to squande
d money and run the city into debt fC
what could not be prevented, and if
b could, would only benefit few indiviC
is uals owning bstture property. He woul
!, rather the city would pay the value ,
s. the property to its present owners, an
s. let the river take it OF.
y Considerable discussion ensued on III
question of Mr.. Mshsn's report. NJ
Cover, one Of the COMMITTEES, havip
f beep absent when it was made, Aft,
re its adoption by the Chamber, Mr.. Stra
J. ton offered a resolution that the whs
ar question be recOnsidered.
ye II was finally agreed that Mr.. Stra
a. TOMS resolution should be Considered
s. the next regular meeting.
It. Mr.. Cherry then took the Chair. ar
Mr.. Nelson offered the following resol
rs ton on Agriculture, which was adopte
a. Resolued, That the use Of the hall
, 49, Nbamber of Commerce. ha and ~