The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-11-30
TIE MRROHANTS, MKEFING
Committee Appointed to 60 to wash
ingt0n City.
MATTERS OF VITAL INTEREST

There was a fair attendance, though
not So many as we expected TO see.
Those who were present were in earn
est. however, and will use their full
influence in furthering the objects Of
this meeting.
The meeting organized by calling
Judge John Law to the Chair.
The newspaper reporters we're APP
pointed Secretaries.
Judge Law stated the object of the
meeting to be to appoint committee
to go to Washington to use their in
fluence to have Congress make this
a port of entry. to give us a Local
Board of Steamboat Inspectors, and
to have branch Of the Federal Court
established here. He said that New
Albany, with a much smaller popula-
ton, and doing not half as much bust
ness as Evansville, was a port of en-
try, and we certainly were entitled to
the same.
Philip Hornbrook. Surveyor of
Customs. made an explanation in re-
gard to the business that was trans
acted at the previous meeting, when
Mr.. Randall was present. Colonel
Hornbrook stated that he had writ
ten TO Secretary Boutwell, some time
since. principally in regard to the ap-
pointment of a Local Board of In
spectors. He read the reply of Mr..
Boutwell, to his communication.
which stated that his suggestions had
been taken under advisement, and
asking fer statistical information in
regard to the business and shipping
interests of our city. Col. Hornbrook
said he had written the following let
ter, which he would send to the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, as soon as he
got the desired statistics:
10 the Hon. q. s. Boutwell,, Secretary
of the Treasury:
Agreeable to your request, as per
your letter of October 9th, 1869, /
give you statistics of this port and
city:
/ am well aware that the Importance
of this as commercial point has
never been made known to the De-
partment.
The City of Evansville, Indiana,
contains thirty thousand 100000 in
habitants, and it ranks third among
the cities of this continent, in point
of commerce, for the number of its
inhabitants.
To prove this append three (3) GER
ti6cates. VIZ:
/. From the Board of Trade, show
ing the amount of produce and mer-
chandise shipped from and received
at this port, as also the amount of
manufactures in the city, as we'll as
the sales of produce and merchandise.
2. The number ofsteamers that land
at this port, and the aggregate of their
ander-decb tonnage; also the number
that pass without landing, showing
conclusively that this Is an important
commercial point.
3. The number of vessels enrolled
at this port, and their aggregate ton
mage.
These proofs / tender in hopes that
you viii use your influence at the
present session of Congress TO have
laws enacted that will give this port
what is essential to the protection of
life and property, and give to this
city what her commercial enterprise
demands.
: 1. A Board of Local Inspectors of
Hulls, Boilers and Machinery of
Steamboats,. We have nothing Of the
kind in the State.
2. To make this port of entry as
well as delivery, with a bonded route
from the seaboard to this port.
3. To aid in the passage of law
that will give this city branch of
the Federal Court for the District Of
Indiana.
At this time the Federal Court is
held in Indianapolis only; hence we
are debarred from the benefits that
would accrue provided court was
held in this place.
The large maritime interests CEN
treing at this point demands that we
should have easy access to q court
wherein vessels could be libeled and
the interests Of all parties be adjudi-
Gated.
Mr.. James Phelan, of the firm of
Mark Warren & Co., moved that a
committee of three be appointed to
60 to Washington City.
Mr.. HenniIg moved to increase the
committee to five.
Mr.. FL. E. Read thought that three
would do as we'll as five.
On the vote being taken, commit
tee Of three was ordered.
Before the committee were selected
DR.. Morgan made.a speech, in which
he referred to the fact that the matter
of a Federal Court at this place had
been under consideration in Wash
ington City once before, but had been
defeated by the Representatives from
the upper part of the State. He
made some remarks of politica
character that had nothing in com.
men with the spirit of the meeting.
The committee were then appoint
ed, and consisted of Col. Philip Horn
brook, Thos. E. Garyin. and Johr
Ingle. Jr.
| Col. Hornbrook took occasion &
say that Mr.. Niblack. our present Re
preventative, had promised bis aid il
all matters that would benefit on.
city.
1t was stated BY gentleman pres
emit that Evansville, in proportion tt
population, was the third Commercial
city in the United States. New Yorl
was first, and San Francisco was sec