The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-18

Meeting that Was No NIeeting-A Panic,
but Not the Panic Expecied-Curious Conn
binati0n Of Red Tape, Indignation and Im-
pudence.
II is very rarely that the Chamber Of Commerce and
Its old fogy members, with their old fogy notions
upon questions Of commerce, trade and finance, give
forth anything but dry and unintelligbly abstruse
addresses, discussions and memorials, made up OF
melancholy arrays OF statistics and statements and
conclusions smacking more Of antiquity than &C
curacy.
meeting yesterday, however, was an exception
to this general rule 1t was call for special meet
ing. The call was in the form OF circular. and
anixed were the names OF some two dozen
members OF the Chamber. 1t was announced
Ia the circular tnat Dr. James G. Hailock Jr, would
plan for the complete, immediate, and permanent
control OF all disturbances and distractions in COM
mercial payments, otherwise eliminating In panic. +"
subject OF such vital importance the commercial
community, and particularly In the scxepadalian
style Of its announcement would naturally suggest
q broadly comprehensive and exhaustive handling Of
this most agitating topic and the gathering OF
siderable number TO hear the exposition Of plan
lowed OUT, OF any financial panics from
this time forth in the monetary world. The
audience came together-a small one though which
doubtless was accounted for from the fact of very
many who otherwise would have attended staying
away to work out plans OF their own TO prevent per-
At one p NJ. the hour at which the meeting was
called, Mr.. VIM. +. Dodge, the President, took the
chair, or. rather showed the chair aside which, by
virtue OF his office he should have taken, and took
the floor, and, as the result showed, speedily took
the assembled gathering by surprise. This surprise
was the product or speech he made. Mr.. Dodge Is
not very ersey spoken in his oratorical efforts and
he therefore began with o rather dfuse eXplana-
ton OF his endeavor with respect to the calling OF
the present meeting to observe all the pertnacious
prophecies OF the red tape rules OF routine in such
cases laid down and provided in their constitu-
ton and bylaws This meeting he showed, had
not been thus called The signers were those who
rarely attended the meetings OF the Board. Not long
since they were humbugged into just such special
meeting. He was tired OF it. AS things were going
any one having an ambitious desire to bring for
ward before the public any special advantageous
could easily accomplish the calling Of a
special meeting, and through the potential aid
OF these gentlemen-turning about and most benig-
manly smiling ana bowling to the gentlemen OF the
press presentl-and the thing was done-sharply,
quickly, neatly DONE If this mode OF doing bust
ness and special advertising to be continued he
should feel impelled to resign his position as Pres
dent OF the Chamber.
Mr.. Charles Butler moved that the meeting adj
feeble-looking young man, OF feeble stature and
particularly feeble mustache expressed In o feeble
tone OF voice the hope that the meeting would not
awho are your" asked the President.
"Dr. James G. Halock Jr, son OF Mr.. Hallock,
ST. answered the young man.
Don't know anything about you,n spoke up the
"No one knows anything about him." broke IN
Mr.. Butler.
But would like to explain to the meeting,n in
terrupted Mr.. Hallock, Jr., $50 that they''-
"NO explanations can be listened to, quickly and
tarty interrupted the President.
las significant rebuke TO this young man and all
others Ike him now renew my motion Tor adjourn
ment" said Mr. Butler.
Cant say something's pleaded Mr.. Hallock. Jr.
"Won't you listen 10 o word from me ~ plead Mr..
Hallock, ST..
"There is no use in either Of you wasting words"
the President "All In favor Of adjourn
ing say aye-(several ayes; opposed, nO-(many
nOeSl. AYES have IL. Meeting Ia adjourned.v
Both Mr. Hallock, ST., and Mr.. Hallock. Jr, en-
deavored after the adjournment to make expana-
ti0ns to various members privately but they with
poor success. The meeting az regarded themselves,
had eliminated In panic they did not anticipate.