Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-10-12
s2O,OOO,OOO of Manu-
features Last Year.

". Hastings, j. 7. llealdi
H. NJ. Jenkins, G. p. johnson,
Geo. A. LeMaistre, II. c McLear,
II Mendinhall, VIM. H. swift,
Wm. N. Kcnuard, Geo. W. Stone,
D. W. Taylor, f. T. Warner
Preston Lea.
The subject for an assessment for meet
70 q the Xpens Of tn Board WAS referred
TO ;ar new Board Of Managers, and the
rreasurer's rplr- was referred TO the
Finance COmmi-ee.
Nr. Geo. W, stone, Secretary Of the
Board thea rct0 the annual report which
va. IN suh' h'taacc as follows;
The record for the past year Is pleasing
luc iDr those interested in the welfare OF the
city. Nearly every projected enterprise
mentioned in the last report has been pushed
fu completion while there is scarcely sin
! gle branch of manufacture which has not
/ Been materially extended either through the
organization Of new firms or addition OF in
/ creased manufacturing facilities by Old ones,
! md there is no indication Of any cessation
| 40 this growth but rather that IT will con
| tinue with increasing ratio.
| our facilities for transportation have been
| increased and imprOTed, ana with the COM
! plction Of the WILMINGTON \ Western k. X;
| will be well nigh perfect; These improved
! facilities it ia hoped Will foster spirit OF
enterprise which VIII make ours n CONNER
cial as we'll as manufacturing city.
| The only marked event in the history OF
the Roard during the past year has been its
| removal to the new and elegant rooms In
| the Masonic Temple. This removal was the
result of an attempt to establish daily meet
| ings, referred To further on IN the report
| Owing to the hot weather Of the past sum
mrr the Board adjourned on July until the
annual meeting, and now that meetings have
been resumed II is earnestly hoped that they
will be full and interesting and that all
will attend and participate.
RECORD or TnE PAST YEAR.
The first business before the Board was
the subject of relief for the sufferers by the
Chicago fire. II was deemed ineNpcdient to
make any separate attempt as hnafl and
the members united with the general citizens
movement for this object.
/ On Oct II the subject Of holding nm INDUS
trial exhibition came before the Board and
was referred to a committee Mhlch after
consuitatiuu with leading manufacturers
! and business men reported that in its opinion
with proper and judiclous management sum
cient interest might be enlisted to make such
am exhibition success. That there is dis
| position ON the part Of manutactu to eN.
iihit the products Of their industry and nc
| serious financial difficulty in the way The
Committee recommended however that the
| Exhibition be not attempted until after the
completion of the new Hotel
1t will thus he seen that the COmmitteei
report recognized no obstacle but the lack o
! | sufficient accommodation for visitors, ant
I the Managers report suggcsia mat now lha
nothing TO prevent the holding OF such NJ
. exhibition ia the Spring or Fall Of 1873. Tn
I example Of other cities in giving such expo
g | sitions Is cited and the advantages tha
n would accrue to our city from such on
a | urged
e the Board WAS brought before the Board o
Nov, 10th. 1871, aud a committee 10 submit
. plan WAS appointed, The subject was unde
consideration when the Board adjourned 70
the summer and will come before 1t agail
| this Fall. This is considered by many
matter of greater interest than any that ha
= heretofore come before the Board, as IL viii
n il adopted materially change the charaete
9 | of the organization, and II the plan Is sue
: | ccssfully established will make an importan
u era in the business history Of our city. I'll
5 most heneiccnt result to the trade and CON
4 mcrcc OF the city predicted from such
40 I chance ms nothing hut the lack of the &C
=, operation and facilities Of such an eXchang
u now prevents the cily from enjoying tina
e prominence as commercial mart and ina
y trade with the South and West which II
T. situation and natural advantages make poi
siblc. The coal of Pennsylvania can her
find shtnmcnt TO the East and South, th
grain oi the West and Of our own regio
shipment To the East. The trade OF Easter
Pennsylvania and our own feninsular, an
even q share of that of the West, can lin
. here better facilities for rrshipmsnt than q
- pnints further up the river The cities nhOv
s. ils have no advantages for such a trade nc
r. possessed hy us. The advantage of sue
,d daily meetings Is urged at length and Il
r. opportunity afforded our manufacturers
!, these daily half hour or hour meetings
II transacting business with each other is cite
as evidence Of the immediate advantage TIT
would result.
While this subject was under discussion
new constitution was framed anu adopted
It il appended to the report and Is 50 fram'
AS to apply 10 a body which has for its ohle
X, the transaction OF business as well as q
al comforting together on matters Of publ
NJ interest.
10 MATTERS FOR LEGISLATION.
n The widening of Water street has not y
a been accomplished, but a proposition is no
H. under consideration by CITY Council whil
ne it is hoped will lead to a satisfactory settl
IL mcnt of the question, and the report urg
d. that the street be so wdened AS to enab
r. ali inc railroads TO enter the city, and a d
,st sire rs cN pressed that this will tend to the
~e joining IN building Union Depot, I'll
~ would greatly convenience our citizens a.
lh | give strangers passing through better OPP
,s- ion Of our city II is hoped the city rule
IL will meet the Railroads in a liberal spirit
secure these desirable results.
The State Legislature not having been
-c session during the past year, taxation b
nd not been formally discussed but it has 4
So uucntly been the topic OF informal discl
"A sion aud will no doubt receive renewed
,, tention at the hands Of the BOaid. II seel
~ highly nrOpcr that some steps SHOULD
= taken for the repeal of some of the wO
Ter features Of the present law In order that {
ON unrrprescutcH interests OF inns CITY may
y relieved ms much as possible from the I
/ rqual and unjust burden laid upon them
J." rhis OF course cannot be done fully and
10 fcctually so long as we are compelled TO a
in II ns a favor. bur In the absence of any pr
he pcct of obtaining our rights in the matter
.,n seems proper TO seek some modification,
~, least OF existing laws.
e"t A renewed and earnest effort for the nc
snt hcatinn or repeal Of the usury laws is a
IT. urged. and the propriety OF allowing
I'd. price of the hire Of money to he regulated
.,t the laws Of supply and demand as is
,n, price of flour or any other commodity.
on. IRON SHIP BUILDING.
This branch Of manufacture has been u
ca suallv active during the past year, all
; Il Yards being occupied 70 their full capac
=, "a and even compelled to turn away work.
- - view Of the present high price of iron
ioI future Of the business looks uncertain
y u should the high price continue II Will
nds douhtcdly cause decline IN the business
d, es | its suspension in q degree until the cos
10 material becomes lower. Exclusive OF
~" nremium on gold the difference in the pl
'ia- Of ships in Wilmington and on the Clyd
the Al this time about ten per cent The exp
MY ed falling of in the supply OF raw mate
les. and the advance in the cost OF labor
Ia, Great Britain will soon nearly equalize
lea cost Of ships In the two countries; ant
and our builders used the light and inferior
jns used on the Clyde the cost would not
one terialIy differ even now bnt this, for
1 az vlous reasons, they will not do There SCI
ling then no cause for anxiety ano alarm IN
and bsbie that when the present CT
lay is once past, It seems natural that
ovf. seat Of iron ship building will
- urallv transfer itself from the old to
mere new World There is much to eneOurag,
the In this prospect not only as Wilmington
qua but as Americans'
ural RAILROAD CARS AND CAR WHEELS.
'uls This business has grown to immense
'aIs' portions in our midst, and during the
] the another large and enterprising trm hai
and tered into il and already sent away E
ali elegant work. This addition, beyond
"a doubt, entities Wilmington to the lea
uteu nosition in this business. and cars from
lhe shops are now to be found in all parts OF
fact country aud ia the West indies, Mexico
mt of south America. The business is in
nor perous c indition and is rapidly gaining
feauires "a superior class Of labor and bi
le' 10 our city the most intelligent and sk
on OF mechanics for the accommodation
more whom. as well as all other elasse
optd our people. public library is espec
nei- neeeueu heIe; 4,,ro Of oar y,heels is ais,
or in .lrent nv extent over 800 wheels pei