The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-02-21
THE IrcENsF IND sTzMP LAWS.
Action or the Chamber OF Commerce
And Board OF Trade.

a special meeting Of the Chamber Of Com
merce was held yesterday at two P. NJ, Presi
dent s. z. Tupper In the chair.
The meeting having been called to order
the chairman announced that they had con-
vened for the purpose Of taking Into consider
alton, as affecting the interests of Charleston,
the two bills for general license law, and for
stamp du:ies, now before the committee o.
ways and means of the Legislature OF the
State. The bills bore directly and unjusty
upon the commerce of the city, and, If passed,
must prove emlnently Injurious. They were
calculated to drive away commerce, and TO
discriminate against Southern manufactures
for the encouragement of those OF the Nortn.
These bills would paralyze all the enterprises
for the benefit and adve ncement OF the city
now on foot, and it behooveI the Chamb er, TO
whom commerce was all in all, to take meas
ures to guard against these evils, and to avoid
| the additional burden proposed to be placed
upon the people.
Mr.. william G. Bee said that consld-
erlng the circumstances OF the case, there
could hardly be division of sentiment
among the members. To keep silence re-
garding the Ubiquitous measures now before
the Legislature would Be a palpable derelic-
ton of duty. The only question was, what
form of action should be taken. The enormi-
ties of the bills were too gross and patent to
need description; to point out what was 30
glaringly clear would be an insult to the In
telligence of the Chamber. As to the ques-
tion now they should proceed, he knew no
better mode than to send committee OF the
Chamber to Columbia, who should come be-
fore the ways and means committee OF the
House, and, being masters Of the subject,
should discuss the bills and show the dangers
apprehended from them. He then read the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted:
The Chamber having been credibly inform
ed that there is now under consideration by
the committee of ways and means OF the
House Of Representatives at Columbia, bill
designed to Impose licenses and 9 stamp act
upon certain commercial, financial, manufac-
turing and other industrial pursuits, which, IN
the event c. is becoming a law, WILL prove
fatal TO many Of the interests involved; prelu-
dlcial to the welfare of the people Of the State;
destroyed at home, and, so far from 1ncreas-
ing, will actually diminish the revenues OF tne
State Government; therefore,
Res0lued, That committee Of members OF this
body be appointed TO proceed promptly TO 20
lumb!a, with the view OF arresting, II practi-
cable, legislation which can only Do olsas-
trious in Its results.
The chair appointed the following commit
tee: Hon. W. D. Porter, W. G. Bee, W. T. ball,
@. A. Chisolm, J. D. Aiken, James NJ. Carson,
G. o. Witte and E. Willis.
These matters having thus been disposed
OF, President Tupper rose and said 1t became
his painful duty, at this stage of the proceed
ings, to announce to the Chamber the death OF
their recently elected second vice-president,
Major F. ]. Porcher. No member of the
Chamber had won more quickly end firmly
their regard and confidence. No member Of
the Chamber was more highly esteemed for
excellence of character and personal courtesy.
he did not propose to pronounce an eulogy,
but only desired to bring the painful subject
before the Chamber.
MIR. L. D. Mowry said the members of the
Chamber were in sorrow for the death OF
friend whom they all loved. During his life
be had had frequent business transactions
with Mr.. Porcher, and nothing had ever oc.
Cured to mar the harmony of their inte1-
course. He begged leave 10 offer the follow
ing resolutions:
RESOLVED, That this Chamber has heard with
feelings of deep sympathy and regret OF the
sudden death OF their late second Vlce-presl.
dent. F. ]. Porcher in whose decease we have
n t,oa
munity an enterprlsing and valuable citizen.
ReSolved, That the flag Of the Chamber be
left at halfmast from sunrise until sunset TO-
day.
Resolped, That this Chamber will assemble
to attend the funeral 0bsequies ofthe deceased
at such time as may be Indicated to them oy
the president In the morning newspapers.
RESOLVED, That committee of three be ap-
pointed by the chair to prepare suitable
preamble and resolutions expressive Of the
sentiments of the Chamber at this sad be-
reayement.
The chair appointed the following commit
tee: L. D. Mowry, Jno. Hanckel and L. D. De-
Saussure.
Mr.. Jno. Hanckel rose to second the resolu-
tions, but said 1t was impossible to do 80 In
fitting words. It was a sad event, aud 1t had
come upon them with startling suddenness.
From boyhood to manhood the Chamber had
known the deceased; and the name Of F. ].
Porcher must ever bring up the pleasantest
recollections, for to know him was TO love
him. Like clap of thunder from cloudless
skytWas the announcement of his death, and
in a moment, the hand of destiny had snatched
from them one whom they loved indeed.
The resolutions were then put and unanl-
mously adopted.
AS further mark of respect to their deceas-
ed officer, MIR. VIM. Ravenei begged leave to
offer the following:
RESOLVED, That the merchants of our city are
hereby requested, during the funeral of our
respected deceased second vice-presldent, to
close their offices, and that the halls of the
chamber be also closed.
The resolution was adopted and the Cham
ber adjourned.
Meeting OF the Board OF Trade.
Pursuant to call from their president, a
number of the members of the Board Of
Trade met at their rooms last night to protest
against the stamp act and license bill now un-
der consideration In the Legislature. Presl-
dent DeLeon briefly stated the object of the
meeting, and called for an expression of opin-