Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-09-28


At the annual meeting Of the Chamber
of Com merce last evening, President W.
II. Cherry delivered an address that was
full Of sound sense and good advice.
The following officers were elected for
the ensuing year; President-Thomas
A. Nelson; Vice Presidents-Jas. Elder,
W. r. Moore, G. L. Dennison, f. s.
Davis, Benz. Eisman. Committee on
Appeals--T. B. billiard, Napoleon Hill,
N. Corona, J. J. Busby, John s. Tool,
W. N. Brown, W. B. Galbreath. Treas
urer-W. W. Schoolield.
Messrs. Stratton and Apperson were
appointed o committee to conduct the
new President to his chair. Mr.. Nelson
returned thanks for the honor conferred
on him, when Mr.. John T. Stratton
offered the following, which was unan-
imously passed:
Resolued, That the thanks of this
Chamber are hereby rendered to VIM. 81.
Cherry, Esq, for the very satisfactory
manner in which he has discharged the
duties of President of this body.
The following gentlemen were added
to The Committee on the Merchants Tax
Law: W. 81. Cherry, John T. Stratton,
W. W. Schoolfeld, E. NJ. Apperson,J. W.
Dickinson, A. L. Harris and W. W. Guy.
T. A. Nelson, VIM. Harrington, John G.
Fizer, W. B. Greenlaw and D. 7. Porter
were appointed delegates to the Louis
Vile Commercial Convention.
Messrs. B. Eisman, E. Meyer, G. W.
Goyer, 81. M. Loewenstine and John s.
Toof were appointed to present the fol-
lowing to the Board of Mayor and Alder
men at its next meeting:
To the Honorable Board of Mayor and Alder
men of the city of Memphis:
Your petitioners, merchants engaged
in various branches of commerce in this
city, beg respectfully to call your atten-
ton to the following unreasonable and
unjust Determinations against their bust
ness in the existing ordinance of tax
on privileges" Without going into
lengthy argument, they deem it only
necessary to set forth the facts in order
to show the unjust operation of the law.
To illustrate:
On imports not over $40, 900, grocers
pay $ll5, other classes pay $3.50; on i'm
ports not over $50, 600, grocers pay $3.50,
other classes pay $2lO; on imports not
over 100000, grocers pay 1885, other
classes pay $3.50; on imports not over
500, 1000, grocers pay $3.50, other classes
pay 1890, and 30 on in nearly the same
proportions for larger sums. You will
thus perceive that we are made to pay
from 35 to 40 per cent more than those
who sell groceries. Now, we submit to
your sense of law, equity and justice, to
say nothing of wise economy, if this is
right. We do not complain of any equal
burdens imposed fairly and proportion
ately upon all classes, but we do respect
fully request the appointment by your
honorable Board of special committee;
whose duty it shall be to call together the
best men of the various callings inte-
rested, and allow them, in conference
with yourselves, to assist you in framing
an ordinance which shall impose taxes
fairly and equitably upon all classes Of
business, and your petitioners will ever
pray. go,
ID. Williams, Easton, Lloyd Il Gilbert,
Mansfield & Higbee, E Meyer, d
Wade & Co., Miller q Leidy, A
Seessel & Son, B. Lowenstein 4 Bros
Brooks & Dennis, Howell, Wood d
Co., William R. Moore x Co., Joyner
Lennon & Gale, Friedman Bros,
Menken Bros, G.. W. Jones d Co,
Walker Bros. & Co., Goodbar d Gill;
land, Ward & Lecture, Rice, Silk d
Co.
After adopting series of resolutions,
offered by J. I. Trezevant, petitioning
Congress to repeal the duties on railroad
iron and to support the construction OF
railroads, the Chamber adjourned.