Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-29
oHArprR on coMnRRcY.


The annual meeting Of the Memphis
Chamber Of Commerce took place yes
terday afternoon. There was fair at
tendance present. 7. A. Nelson, Esq,
President Of the Chamber, on opening
the proceedings, delivered au address
full Of good sense aud sound suggestions.
After clearly stating the actions Of the
Chamber during the past year, he made
the following appeal to our business
community:
While We have done something, yet
much remains to be done. The Chamber
of Commerce is the proper place where
we should rally. Those Of our merchants,
property holders, tradesmen, etc., who
are not members should at once apply
and become SO. Let US show q united
front, make a strong pull all together, for
supremacy in prosperity, and that enter
prise which alone can build mp q great
city. Let US encourage all enterprises
which will add to our commerce and
population, and let those who have
the means to do so, not show misery
hand in contributing to them, but that
liberality and enterprise which should
actuate every far-seeipg and LIBERAL
minded man. Memphis is our home, and
here many Of us will stay. II is our in
terest to discard those feelings Of selfish
ness into which we have drifted, and take
comprehensive view Of the situation,
and the happiness which it will afford us,
ten or twenty years hence, when we re-
feet on what we have done to make
Memphis large and prosperous city,
numbering its hundreds Of thousands Of
prosperous and happy people.
Mr.. Nelson then reviewed the action
of the Chamber in relation to our steam
boat and railroad interests, and in doing
so made some very sensible suggestions,
closing with this appeal;
Iappeal to you to sustain the Chamber
of Commerce in her efforts TO build up
our city and increase her commerce.
Unity of action will accomplish great re-
suits. IL we are divided in sentiment
and purpose, we can hardly expect to
reach that fame and Importance which
belongs to some of our sister cities, and
which we can reach if we adopt liberal
spirit in encouraging public enterprise,
and act for the common good Of all. The
Chamber of Commerce is the board
around which we can assemble and de-
wise ways and means for our general well
fare. If every member will determine to
make the cause of the Chamber his cause,
solicit and obtain as many of our mer-
chants, mechanics, and other citizens, as
possible as members, we can soon build
up an institution of which we will all feel
proud, and whose influence none can re-
sist.
On motion Of ". NJ. Harrington, the
thanks of the Chamber were given Mr..
Nelson for the admirable and impartial
manner in which he had performed the
duties of President.
The assessment on members for the
current year was fixed at $40; fines, SIS;
Secretary's salary, $1,000 per annum,
payable monthly.
On motion of VIM. R. Moore, the fol-
lowing resolutions in reference to the
Norfolk convention were adopted:
Resolred, That in compliance with the
polite invitation of the Norfolk Chambe
of Commerce, the President Of this
Chamber is hereby authorized to appoint
as many delegates to that convention as
may seem to him best.
Resolued, That in view of the impor-
lance of the convention, the President OF
this Chamber is also hereby authorized to
appoint~a committee of five, whose duty
it will be to correspond with the officers
of the railroads between this and Norfolk,
as to the propriety of delegates going
over their lines going and returning free
of charge, and the said committee shall
do all they can to promote the objects OF
the Norfolk convention.
On the recommendation of. 7. STRAIT
ton, who reported that there were three
classes of delinquents-lst, those who
are unable to pay; I'd, those who have
left the city; Sd, those who are able
to pay, but don't pay--the first two
classes were stricken from the list of
members.
O. F. Prescott reported that sc per
cent. of the cotton on the line of the
Memphis and Ohio railroad came to
Memphis.
The following gentlemen we're admitted
members: ]. I. Swayne, ]. B. Davis, S.
II. Dunscombe, L. S, Marye, Milan, Bob.
len & Co., and the Memphis and Ohio
Railroad Company.
The Committee on Manufactures, con-
sisting of VIM. Farris, Joseph Bruce,
John johnson, John Cubbins, Charles
Jones and NJ. E. Cochran, made an elabo-
rate report. On Memphis as manu-
featuring center, they said:
Our position, naturally, as manufac-
turing center has but few equals. Lo-
Gated on this inland sea, below ice in
winter and low water in summer, ever
accessible by the largest class of steam
ers at all seasons, affording water COM
uunication both rapid and cheap TO a
larger district of territory, at all seasons
of the year, than is enjoyed by any. other
city in America. Then add cur railroads
to all points of the compass, receiving
and distributing the products Of a country
unequaled in its capacity for production
or tie variety of articles that can be and
are grown at great profit when grown at
all, thus using and demanding an amount
of manufactured goods and implements
commensurate with the productions Of
the country.
The question naturally arises why
Memphis has not and does not new sup
ply all or nearly oil of the goods, wares
ana ;uniements oopsuned and used by