The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-01-26
CHAMBER COMMERCE
ADDRESS or The PRESIDENT. GEO. A. FOSDi;K

The following address was delivered last eve
ring before the Chamber of Commerce at a special
meeting, by its president, Geo. A. Fosdick, ESQ:
Gentlemen of the Chamber:
In assuming the dnties of the position 10 which
/ have been elected by your paruslity. feel fully
the weighty responsibilities resting on me- aud
therefore do not consider it out Of place 10 call
the attention Of the chamber to such matters OF
interest as will make II what. in my opinion, It
should be, power in the city and State, and
legislature of opinion 80 far as the commercial in
terests of this great emporium are concerned.
Every effort should be made by the members TO
increase our numbers. and IL possible induce
representative from every firm in the city who are
engaged In mercantile pursuits to join our body,
so that every interest may be properly repre-
sentsd on this floor.
The bylaws of the chamber are very defective,
and would advise the appointment: of commit
tee charged with their immediate revision.
Overtures have been made by the directors OF
the Merchants Exchange Company for consoll'
daiion If the two bodies. and committees from
each have been appointed to consider the ieasi'
bility and proprety. | cannot too strongly urge
the accomplishment of This important project, as
in my opinion. it will not only assure the success
of the Merchants Exchange, bat add material
strength 10 and renewed interest in the chamber
Our united support should be given 20 all works
of internal improvements, and every effort made
TO increase Cur lines of communications, not only
by rail and water, but By the extension of our
express and Geographic facilities, so that the
means of transportation may be equal to the re-
quiremen's of increasing trade.
Especial attention should be bestowed on all
plans l. oking TO the improvement of the outlets of
our river. Ny own views on this subject are too
well known TO need any heightened reference, bat
csnDot permit the opportunity TO pass TO urge on
the members the importance of giving their cOun-
tensnce and aid TO all artificial canals connecting
the river and lakes that may be found, after a
amin of artfa ~ ha anti.
tied 10 cur support. and to oppose all applications
to.ibe general government for contracts looking
10 the deepening of the channels through the
passes. This latter work is national in its char
acter, and should be done by the government
under the immediate supervision and direction Of
its own officers.
Efforts should be made to reduce the excessive
charges on tonnage, whether consisting of pilot
age, towage, harDOr dues OF COMPRISING, there
by INDUCING greater number OF vessels TO seek
our port aud as a natural sequence lessen the
cost of freight both to european and coastwise
ports in tact, all monopolies, regardless of their
character, should receive our constant and untir-
ing opposition. they have been in the past and
will be in the future constant drawback To the
prosperity and advancement OF the city.
The utmost facility should be extended TO steam
ers, vessels and barges for the transfer of cargo
intended for reshipment, and IL is the duty of the
chamber to zee that by proper influence and re-
presentation the expenses are reduced as much as
possible, thereby materially increasing our i'm
ports and exports, ard indirectly, il not directly,
benetittDg all classes of our citiZeng.
Ii is a shortsighted policy 10 our legislators 10 in
any way trammel the commerce of our city.
whether it be by compulsory laws or increase of
charges, as il is well known and settled prin-
cple of trade that the current always sets 20 the
point at which the most facilities are obtained and
the charges least. Our rivals, the Atlantic cities,
are sIraining every nerve to retain the immense
trade of the West, which their commercial journals
admit will seek this, its natural outlet to the sea,
if we, as the representatives of the commercial
community, true 10 ourselves and to the trusts
conficed To our cares.
Our energies should be at once directed to have
the existing acts Of the Legislature touching In
speetion and weighing of produce and merchan'
disc modified repealed, as necessity may appear,
and by persistent efforts and proper representa-
tons TO the State and city governments induce
such a course of action as would relieve the COM
merce of this city from all unnecessary burdens
ard inure to the benefit OF our people. In fact
consider it the duty of each and every member to
scruiinze carefully the legislation Of city, State
and general government, and call the attention OF
the chamber 10 all subjects n which our interests
are involved, so that prompt and efficient means
may be taken to ccunteract any mschievous legs'
lation. / consider it within the province of this
| chamber TO consider the present financial con-
| diiion of the Stale and city and TO recommend to
| the authorities such measures of relief as they
may deem best calculated to extricate us from our
financial troubles.
The National Board of Trade, of which this
chamber is a constituent body, can be OF incalcu-
liable advantage to our section in giving their in
| fluence with the general government TO assure the
success of all measures Of general interests that
may be devised, ana we should on all occasions
submit such measures to them for their approval
| and indorsemement.
Too little interest has heretofore been taken
| in the meetings Of the chamber, and not that
| prompt attention given TO the duties of com.
mittees that is desirable to make it efficient, aud
cannot too strongly urge on members the import
aDce of making some little sacrifice of time for
the general good.
awhile am opposed TO the Introduction, in any
er, of political projects into this body, can
not refrain from urging on the members indlvid'
uelly the importance OF using their personal iuhu
eDce in the community as will secure, IN all cases
| the elecuon of competent and reliable men
wholly regardless of political antecedents, who
comprehend the needs of our State and city and
the requirements of its people. have thus a
briefly as possible adverted to what conceive to
be needed to secure us that influence throughout
all branches of our government which will en-
able us to accomplish the objects for which thi
chamber was first established and chartered, anC
in conclusion, assure you of my cheerful co-opera
lion and untiriDg efforts TO insure the success o
these most desirable ends.
A special meeting will be held again this even
ing, to which all merchants and business men ar
invited. General Dochery, of Camden. Arkansas
will address the meeting on the subject of the i'm
provement of 0uachita river navigation and tn
advantageous results to accrue therefrom.