Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-09-28

$3.50
these sources we may expect TO reap the
greatest benefits. We should keep in
view the important fact that II we open
routes for travel and trade TO our city, We
will have no difficulty In finding routes
from US. To accomplish those great OBJ
jects, we must have concert and unity oil
action. Our strength must be used when
the greatest GOOD can be attained. Then,
as members ofthis Chamber, representing
the commercial and financial interests OF
this community, we occupy a very re-
sponsible position. The most important
movements and successful efforts. for the
good of our city, and the material inter-
est of our section of country have been,
as they must ever continue to be, made by
or through this Chamber as "A body, even
whilst this community scarcely realized
that we had vitality, our influence and
efforts have been, and are today, working
for the good of our city n country.
Railroads, steamboat lines, public carriers
and I may add public servants, have
learned to consult and ascertain the
wishes and demands of the community,
through us.
True, much more might have been ac-
cOmplished had we the numbers and sup
portwe should have. Yet we have reason
for hope and confidence in the future, as
a Chamber. 1t would be a pleasing task
to refer to the many subjects brought for
/ y dLus OA1lAN1GA 1AA4 AaNN0ANa ~ NAA1
Chamber during the year; to note the ex-
tent and result of our most important
branches of trade and manufactures, COM
pairing il with former years; to the gem
eral prosperity enjoyed in every depart
ment, our merchants, mechanic, carriers
and laborers having been constantly and
prohtably engaged. But all these sub
jects, and Others pertaining to us as a
commercial and manufacturing center,
nave been so fully set forth and ably dis
cussed in the annual report just published
bv our efficient Secretary, that il would
seem useless to call your attention to them
again. Though We have not made the
progress in the construction OF some of our
| much needed railroads that we hoped to
make; though others projected and of
vital importance to us have not received
| that announcement and aid their impOr-
lance demands, yet we haye evidence of
a more general interest, and grounds for
believing that more rapid progress will be
made in future. Our steamboats, and
l packet lines ave generally served US well
/ in carrying and passenger accOmmoda-
tions. Yet much remains to be lone in
this branch of our trade n commerce, on
which so much depends. Constituting as
il does, and must continue TO do, one of
| the chief means of communication, with
a very large portion of the best sections OF
country contiguous to US, we should
| aid and encourage the lines already estab-
Hshed and establish others reaching in
every direction, and as far as we could
reasonably expect to secur trade, we
should speedily establish and have them
regularly and well conducted as far south,
| at least, as Vicksburg, and north as far as
we could hope TO secure business. Our
New Orleans packets should be sustained
| and p~atronized. Our manufactures Of
every kind should be given a preference
=, On ordara aud Cfharz azfah1Ghan md
encouraged. Though, as 1 have stated,
much has been accomplished by Us as u
Chamber, much remains to be done.
Each one of US must do our part in this
great work. 1 believe you viii prove
equal to the task. Let none, then, be-
come discouraged, even were our pros
poets less hattering. The report OF our
Chamber shows the large and profitable
business of our city during the past year.
I venture the assertion that IN no city has
so much boon done with as limited capt.
tai with 50 small a ratio of failures or dis
hOnors as we can show the past twelve
months. Has this not, to a great extent,
resulted from a determination to conhns
ourselves as merchants and business men
TO legitimate business transactions and a
fixed purpose to live within our means?
May 1t not, to some extent, be that we had
a regard and desire for each Other'ssuccess.
II this be SO then, let US continue in well
doing. be not too anxious TO acquire by
rapid and uncertain strides, let US prac-
tice economy and prudence, fairness and
charity 20 each other; let us say to our
selves, to our wives and daughters, we
will live within our means andsave some-
thing to prQyide for accidents. Then we
will be content with a reasonable, fair le-
Ultimate business and the sure success
from such q course. Then our future as a
city must be upward and onward. Soon
the unjust taxes on our merchants will be
reduced, Ecocomy by us a. individuals
will insure economy and prudence Oh the
part of the makers and administrator Of
our laws. Already the taxes for the sup
port OfOur city government ara being, as
they will contiuuetO be, reduced. Indeed,
compared with the financial condition and
rate of tax of u sister cities, we are in
mnoh better condition than most OF US
have supposed. The aggregate corporate
Indebtedness Of Memphis, bonded and
floating, is in round numbers, deductlng
amount to be paid by Tate, Brown & Co.,
IS 3, 900, 600; rate of tax the present year /
for all purposes, X Of one per cent. on
on the assessed vSlue of property. New
Orleans corporate indebtedness, $4,000
OD. taxes ~ ozone percent, LOuiSville's
corporate Indebtedness, S6,000, 900 taxes
per cent. st. Louis corporate indebted
ness, $4,000, 600; taxes 2.S per eent. Gin
.cinnsti's corporate Indebtedness, $780,
900; taxes $40 per cent.
Further on this subject I venture the
opinion THAI the aggregate indebtedness
OF Memphis, corporate and individual, is
less to-day in proportion to'popuIaticH, /
wealth and amour or business. than any
other city in the Mississippi or Ohio Val
leys, Soon these facts must tell for good
in our behalf. May we not then, with
hope and confidence, invite the farmer,
mechanic, tradesman, labOreF and capitalist
to comet ''and we viii dOthem good" And
will it not be so. Soon our vacant grounds
will be built up with beautiful blocks,
crowded with active, useful citizens. Our
suburbs aid adjacent country, dotted
with comfortable and elegant residences,
scbOol-houses and churches, the sure in
of intelligence and solid strength
property enhanced in value,
and general prosperity, peace and happi-
ness greet US on every nan Again |
thank you for your kindness, and wish to
q Successful business year.
MessTs. StrattsR and Apperson were ap-
a committee TO Conduct the reY
President to his chair.
Mr.. Nelson returned thanks for the
honor conferred.
Mr.. Jno. T. Stratton then offered the fol-
which was unanimously passed:
ReSotCed, That tbs thanks of this Cham
ber are hereby rendered TO VIM. h. Cher
ESQ, for the VerS satisfactory manner
In which he has discharged the duties of
President of this body.
Mr.. Cherry offered the following, which
adopted:
WHEREAS, A committee has heretofore
boon appointed by his Chamber, to col
lees information and take such action as
deem proper to have the present
rate of taxes on the mer-
eff the State repealed or modified;
said Committee, in the discharge of
heir duties, after having consulted with
merchants and others in different sec
ions OF the State, have reported TO this
Chamber and presented to this Chamber
} bill, to be presented to our next Legs
by which the taxes on merchants
will be placed ca the same principle with
other taxabis property of the State,
which report and bin haye been unani-
nously adopted and endorsed by the
Chamber, and IL being manifest that the
merchants and business men of the State,
generally, should petition their respective =,
representatives at once, on this iInpor
ant subject; and as the Committee al
appointed, though actively n efn-
81 work in the discharge of their
oanne reasonably communicate
With the people in the different sections of !
he State as speedily as it SHOULD be done;
therefore,,
ReSoleed, That the President Of this :
appoint seven additional COM
nitteemen TO cooperate with the Conn !
nittee already appointed for the consum- Z
nation Of the objects herein set forth. !
The following names were added to the I
committee on the Merchants Tax Law:
V. h. Cherry, Jno. T. Stratton, w. w. =