The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-03

AteQueste0 10 EaLaDlish department OF
Commerce-Necessity of New Channels Of
Observation-Disclosures Railroad Between
the West aud the Seaboard-National Rail-
road Law.
RICHMOND, Dec. 2, 1862
The Board OF Trade opened Its session this morn
ing
The committee appointed to invite Governor
walker to visit the session OF the Board found the
Governor just leaving the city. but were informed
that he would visit the Board on his return IN few
days. He rendered his thanks for the courtesy ex.
tended him.
Mr.. Lawrence President OF the National Tobacco
Association, was introduced to the Board.
Delegates Of the Memphis Board OF Trade were
registered
The business programme was then taken up.
The tenth roposition-uniformty in corporation
laws-was referred to the Executive Council. the
eleventh proposition-a government department OF
commerce-was then taken up.
resolution was adopted that Congress be re-
as the Department OF Commerce, to winch shall be
referred questions connected with our foreign and
domestic trade.
committee was appointed to memorabilia Con.
gress to that effect.
The proposition originated with the Baltimore
Messrs. opdyke. Of New YORK; Wetheriil, Of Pha Ia
deiphia; Hall, Of Chicago; Ropes. OF Boston;
hands too full to attend to tue mer-
camille questions Of the country. The CONNER
with other departments or the government, with
some eminent mercantile man at its head. In Great
Britain this had been done, and John Bright fresi-
head. The merchants OF this country wanted man
OF their own way OF thinking to lay their wants be.
fore Congress-. AS things are now the mercantile
and manufacturing interests OF the country are IN
particular charge OF professional men, who
are not familiar with their wants. 1t is
time to lay politicians aside--at least in these mat
tiers. The resolution was adopted almost unani.
mously.
Exchange OF Richmond, and the Commercial Ex-
change OF Petersburg were admitted to the Board.
The twelfth, thirteenth fourteenth, fifteenth and
sixteenth propositions, referring to the improvement
by the general government or the Ohio and Mlssis-
| committee to be reported on. The seventeenth
| proposition, asking the regulation OF railroad
freight charges BY Congress was postponed
until tomorrow. The eighteenth proposition, which
comes from tue Chicago Board OF Trade, urges
the construction. under charter from the general
government, OF double track railroad, be used
exclusively FOR the transportation OF freight from
the centre Of the chief source OF supply OF grain and
produce In the West to the Atlantic sea BOARD.
MIR. RICHARDS Of Chicago, addressed the Board
in support OF the proposition. He showed that in
last year two-thirds more freight carried from
years from now not one bushel OF grain would pass
eastward by the Erie canal. The OHIO ana Mssls-
their borders. The rail- Is fast doing away with
water transportation, which Is too slow and not
He was replied to by Mr.. MONROE. of Dubuque,
advocating the superiority Of water INES
M a. o nr pa o 10 amend me
Diego California along the route OF the thirty
parallel to Norfolk.
Mr.. WRTHERILL, OF Philadelphia, moved provtso
that the roadsbe built without government subsidy,
either in money or lands.
Mr.. WALBRIDGE, OF New York offered as substi-
tute q resolution requiring Congress to exercise
whatever constitutional power 1t possesses IN the
passage OF ma i0nal railroad law authorizing i've
nd hpf tuna
slssipp and the ATLANTIC seaboard, at such points
as capitalists may guarantee to commence and
complete these undertakings. He SAID 1t was the
intention OF Congress before the war to have given
the south Pacific railroad but the rebellion inter-
vened. But now that the country was as homose-
neous as It had been once discordant the inten-
tons should be carried out If the South did not
get 1t now let 1t again and again present It's petit
ton The North intended 1t should have justice ana
1t would get 1t.
Mr. JEfFERRY, of Philadelphia, endorsed hat the
gentleman from New York said OF feeling at the
North towards the South
Mr.. KIRKLAND, OF Baltimore opposed the idea OF
the government building road. Many States were
interested In the roads now built, ana for one Mary
land would not be willing 50 see the government
build road running parallel win the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad. Stlll he would be willing to see
the government aid the Southern Pacific road II it
had guarantees that the money would not be squan-
dered.
Messrs. Opdyke, OF New York; Love OF Chicago;
Darlington, OF Richmond ana Chlttenden, OF New
York, participated In the debate.
Mr. CHIrTENDES said the mind OF the country was
running away about railroads. They would be got
ten rapidly enough for mercantile purposes without
the government building them. It was the flood Of
railway bonds thrown upon the country that would
financially ruin loud applause); and this Board
could not put itself more uniavoraby on the record
before the world than by endorsing these govern
ment railroad schemes. The debate took u very
wide range and cneny consisted OF argument and
statistics to show the superiority OF water transpor
tatoD over rail-, and Uice versa.
After accepting an invitation for trip on Tuesday
by steamer TO City Point and return by rail, and an
invitation to a banquet given by the Richmond mer
chants on Saturday evening the Convention 8d-
Journed.