New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-06

Chamber of COmmerce-Shreve Rail-
road COmmittee-Address OF General
Sheldon,
The Chamber of Commerce met last
evening in its new hall, third floor of the
large new building, Louisiana National
Bank, Common street, holding its regular
monthly meeting.
A communication from the Memphis
Chamber of Commerce asked that a COM
mittee of three be appointed to assist in
urging our government to make arrange
ments with other nations to inaugurate a
system Of meteorological and crop reports.
AS the railroad committee of fifty was to
hold meeting in the hall, and as there was
no especial business to attend to, the
Chamber adjourned, most of the members
remaining to hear an address from Con
gresham Sheldon.
SHREVEPORT RAILROAD COSIMITTEE-sHEL-
DON ON COMMERCE.
At the suggestion of the Shreveport
Railroad Commute, General Sheldon, one
OF the Louisiana representatives in Con-
gress, was called on to address the assem-
bly, on the commercial future of this sec
ton. He announced that he would not
touch on political topics. AS our liberties
are assured we may all turn our attention
to commerce, which at present is a duty
and a pleasure. A city may be well To-
Gated, commercially, and New Orleans has
a location unrivaled for commercial pur-
poses. Sixteen thousand miles OF water
courses lead to our doors, coming from aud
tbpnUuh GIytnan States and Tnppi tnriaG
general legislation the government has ap-
prOpriated money to clear snags and dredge
SAND bars. These appropriations will affect
the price of coal, for with distractions in
the upper eastern tributaries coal boats are
frequently lost, and consumers must pay
for those losses. With clear streams the
losses will be less.
Many Western productions corn, cheese
and wheat, must 90 east and abroad. New
England raises only enough COln.to supply
its inhabitants ten days in the year, and
New York only three months. Necessarily
transportation is needed, and railroads and
water courses are needed. New Orleans can
not compete with st. Louis in the tea trade
1t is almost disgrace to our people that
many millions Of coin go to England for
goods, and only four millions of that trade
comes to this city. Why does not Cuba
make greater purchases of rs! One reason
is that our modes OF transportation are def
cient, besides we have no commercial treaty
with Spain As things stand at present,
our government should recognize the bel
Hgerent rights of the patriots in Cuba, and
that island should be free.
Immense amounts of coffee are imported
into the country from Brazil, yet but little
of it comes to this port. New Orleans can
receive and sell coffee to Pittsburg and even
Cleveland at less prices than our rivals
can. New Orleans should be the CONSTANT
nople of America, and her Topography
gives her the right to expect that. Gin
cinnati and st. Louis are striving
for our trade, but they can not take the
cotton, for the reason that they can not
ship it to the manufactures as cheap as we
can. But they can sell their goods cheaper
than we can, for their taxation is less than
ours. The bad conduct of rOtOUs men in
the past few years has harmed this city
greatly. Merchants are to blame in a great
measure for existing wrong, because they
will not 90 to the polls and vote. and thew
will not perform jury duty; therefore Grim
inals go free.
Immense crops of grain must be sold and
shipped, but sailing vessels are no longer
useful. Steam must supersede wind.
America is now paying $68,00O,O to for
eign bottoms, while our own people get
only So, 100000. / have served two terms
in Congress, yet l have seen but one person
from New Orleans to urge and assist her
interests; therefore representatives in most
instances were left in ignorance Of what
was needed. When a subject TO our advan-
tage or disadvantage arises in Washington,
our merchants should have some one to urge
our claims and inform our representatives
Chicago, Cincinnati, and most other great
cities, do not neglect their interests as our
merchants do. The fault tests on your
heads.
The committee extended a vote of thanks
to General Sheldon.
AS there was no quorum of the railroad
of fifty, Mr.. Kennedy, temporary
transacted further than the making of ex
plantations by members. 1t was stated that
Colonel Scott had not complied with his
promise to communicate with this body on
certain railroad matters However, as Mr. |
Moses Greenwood has gone to New York.
he will probably confer with Colonel Scott