The New York herald., 1870-06-03
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

No "Outside Inhuence'' Wantcd-Spicy Dc.
bate the Eligibility of Memberships
prOvement of the HarbOr-The Bathing
Basin.
The regular monthly meeting OF the Chamoer OF
Commerce was held yesterday Vice President George
Opdyke In the chair. Walter s. Griffith reported the
following names OF persons for membership:-G.
Francis Opdyke, John A. Parker and Pliny Free
man.
ROYAL PHELPS opposed the election Of two of the
nominations on the ground that they were neither
merchants nor bankers. He said that the present
unpOpularlty OF the Chamber was mainly caused by
electing as members persons who were not engaged
In any commercial pursuits. He did not think 1t
was proper to elect as members insurance men or
railroad men, and he would oppose It, He said the
men had their own interests and organizations with
which the Chamber had nothing to do, and thought
the there srnr were many y @ d stake that came within
Mr.. GRIFFITH defended the action OF the Execu-
tive Committee In making the nominations. He said
admit to membership persons of high social stand
Ing, and he thought there was no objection to the
nominations
Mr.. PHELPS replied that such had not been the Gus
tom; that he remembered the time when any one
who was not o merchant would not be adm tied to
membership. He remembered distinctly when, many
years ago, the name Of John Jacob AstOr was pre-
sented for membership, and he himself had voted
Mr.. GRIFFITH moved that the election Of the two
persons objected to be deferred until the next
meeting.
The motion prevailed. @. Francis Opdyke was
then balloted for and elected.
communication was received from George w.
Blunt informing the Chamber that ne has Just re-
turned from washington, where he has been to ad-
yocate the appropriation OF $10o 900 for the barge
removal OF the distinctions IN the East
river, off the Battery, the first appropriation
having been struck out OF the Appropria-
ton bill In the Conference Committee. He found
many members Of Congress favorable to The appca-
tion and thought that If the Chamber would urge
the matter upon Congress as measure necessary
to the commercial prosperity OF New York the APP
preparations would be made. He also called atteI-
ton to the fact that Il is now ten years since the
OF the Battery extension, and that II the
matter is now properly urged the present
year Will see the work completed Since
the organization OF the government Con-
gress has appropriated but $685. for the improve
ment OF New York harb0r. The bill drawn up two
years ago to prevent encroachments in the narbor
still fingers in committee, and bill to cause the
mOval OF the wreck OF the steamer MarmOn from the
lower bay is likely to pass He also referred to the
saving of property valued at five hundred thousand
dollars at the Battery, which had been leased for baths
the stoppage OF this project has secured the harbor
from much damage. He closed by urging the Cham
Der to take such action as it may deem proper to i'm
prove the harbor.
After the reading of the letter the chairman re-
marked that he had lately had q conversation with
Mr. Blunt and he understood that the authorities at
Washington were alive to the interests at stake ana
he thought that the appropriations asked for would
he made. The Chamber then adjourned.