New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-08
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..

DISCUSSION ON THE ELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS
DELEGATION TO THE COMMERCIAL CONYEN-
TION-QUARANTINE-TH CHINESE QUESTION.
The Chamber of Commerce held its regular
monthly meeting yesterday afternoon at l p. m. The
Hon william f. Dodge presided. On motion OF Mr..
Walter s. Grhs il voted that the regular monthly
meetings OF the Chamber for August and September
should be omitted account of the impossbility Of
getting together quorum in those months. letter in
reference the lfesaying apparatus Of Mr. Julius Le
Grand was read and referred to the Executive Com
mittee.
The question OF the election members Of the Chamber
OF Pny Freeman esq, President OF the Globe Life In
suance Company, and John A. Parker President OF the
Great Western Marine Insurance Company, then came
up. This question aroused considerable debate.
Mr. Royal Phelps Immediately rose and said that he
objected to the admission Of those gentlemen because
they were not merchants. The new Bylaws, he was
aware, allowed the admission Of any person doing any
kind OF business in the city; but the old Bylaws re-
strcted the membership to merchants only and in the
spirit OF the old bylaws he objected To the admission Of
any who were not merchants. We have got TO draw
line in this matter We have been drifting along taking
in apparently in order TO get their fees until We are
no longer commercial Organization. We are an
influential body, no doubt, but not in the proper
sense a Chamber of Commerce. Now take the most
important question which could up, the question OF
enc decline OF american commerce. ana where IL fhe
merchants no longer look upon this body their repre-
sentative do not wish these elected for the sole
that they are not merchants II they elected
must ask that my name he stricken from the list OF the
III.
these gentlemen was President OF Marine Insurance
Co; his predecessor had been long member OF this
Chamber. The other the President OF the Globe Life
Insurance Co. According to past practice these gem
tlemen can be elected as far as their occupations CO.
Mr. Phelps-I do not so strongly object marine In
President but do most positively object >
life insurance President. We must draw line come
strike soon and make rule to admit only merchants
wholesale merchants merely want to know whether
this is TO be mongrel institution, strictly CONNER
cal institution. wish to bring the matter toa
The President, Mr.. Dodge, said the great difficulty we
feel Is the fact that Notwithstanding all the efforts made
in the last four five years, We have failed almost
trely in securing the cooperation Of the great body Of
when 1t important that the combined influence OF
the merchants should be brought to bear questions
Of wharyes and docks, this Quarantine question. In
Boston Baltimore any point relating to the interests
every man IN the city; but we in NewYorR feel
that our position as the grand commercial is i'm
cities were growing up as they now. / wish
thing could be done, do not know exactly what, to
that they shall demand the things necessary for the pre-
seryation OF the city's commercial greatness. The
more where ships could unload without cent off barge,
and contnued speak feengly the subject because
are importing largely into Baltimore things which
the competition 80 great that the immense charges
them in New,York amounts to an embargo. These are
crying evils In which every engaged in business is
interested Therefore hope that any gentleman any
wise connected with commerce who are engaged and
identified with the progress OF NewYOrk will be allowed
10 come here and help MS, through this Chamber, TO
reyiving the commerce of New-York.
Mr.. Griffiths-l represent institution which has
s30O0O0 Of assets all invested here. What affects the
commerce OF NewYork deeply affects that institution.
feel that am nearly connected with commerce
when bought and sold -four. It has bee asked Why
does not the Chamber take up the Quarantine question:
IL If referred 10 Standing Committee composed OF the
men Who out OF this whole city, best able To handle
H. 30 with docks. They are referred 10 q committee
composed OF the first men OF this cityOf the
Of this Chamber look with hope for good results from
the efficient carrying out OF this plan Now SIR we want
ali the help the gO members OF the Chamber can give
This is M small guild Of branch OF trade; it Is
great commercial Institution. hope we shall honor
selves by the election OF these gentlemen.
Mr.. Nathaniel Sands advocated the admission Of the
members IL tins great BODY OF members wOuld meet to-
gether their authority would be supreme But there Is
strange apathy IN these impOrtant affecting
commercial Interests. AT the meeting of the Commits
bOheH OF Docks all the merchants requested to he
present TO state their complaints, and ash for such i'm
proVements ~ were needed. did not see a single
tleIe You know the efforts mdde to tap the
Oh tns city, Al Philadelphia cargOes can lie for 80 days
Win scarcely any charges Why, Mr. President, gentle
man tOid me that your own firm had have all your
hardware sent 10 Baltimore because could uoaded
there Tor ono cent where II fourteen Ia do the
same thing here. These things are not with
out their effects My experience las Tax
Commissioner has shown me that there
are whole rows OF empty warehouses down town which
90 not bfng IA cent nor pay Fully One-thlTd OF
tle stores on broadway are empty. These things tell
tie Whl,h business men can read for themselves. New
York Is dying of the dryrot. here with object
which wac 20 propose that delegation the
COnnercai convention az Rochester GOyernOrs boards
oi trade business men from all parts Will there The
whole West Is taking up this question OF cheap trans
pOratOn The opportunity Is auspcous To bring back
VI IL TAX inte