Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1873-01-19
vii the Board of Trade Respond.

LDIIORS SHRONICLE.-1 gu Will remem.
Der that, few days ago, suggested.
through our columns, to the Board of
Trade Of this city this fact, that that
body, acting in behalf of the industrial in
terest of the city, should consider the pro-
priety of inaugurating plan by which
capital enough could be secured for the
purpose of starting some manufac-
turing enterprise. The suggestion was
made for the reason that the Board of
Trade was fully competent to prosecute
such an undertaking, as it was composed
of the sound, solid and thinking business
men of the city. For the same reason I
renew the suggestion, in this form. Of
course do so in the most respectful terms,
hoping, thereby, to secure action, decided
and prompt on subject of unusual sig
nifcance and importance.
If understand the object of the organ
ization of the Board of Trade, it is to dis
cuss elaborate and develop measures look
| ing to the future growth and prosperity of
Knoxville. Anything else than this would
| assuredly be entirely foreign to its aims
| and purposes. For this explicit purpose
| its members associate themselves, and to
that purpose they propose to direct their
efforts. 1t is their commanding preroga-
| tive to blaze out new pathway in all
| needful reforms, and to launch enterprises
| that will inevitably tend to augment our
| trade, create healthful condition of our
finances, extend the corporate limits of the
| city, open the way for an increased popu-
| lation, and to give employment to large
| class who now find it exceedingly difficult
| to live. So you perceive that they have
vast work to perform. That they are fully
able to perform it no one can doubt.
1 need not say that very much depends
| unOn their action They have the mower
of moulding and shaping public opinion
| when no one else can. They are looked to
| for guidance and for council, and must, to
| a considerable extent, at least, do the
| thinking and the acting for the balance of
us. The masses rarely ever, unfortunate
| ly, think for themselves, or concoct and
| put into execution plans and schemes for
| principle illustrated in all public matters.
| The politicians do the thinking of their
constituents, and the clergy that Of their
parishioners. Thought only takes shape
| in the brain of some individual, or in that
of aggregated or associated action Oh the
part of individuals. In either aspect of
| the case it develops itself and becomes eff
| ficient, acting vigorously upon the popu>
lar mind and producing beneficial results.
Such is the attitude of the Board of
Trade. That body is compelled to do the
thinking and the acting, more or less, for
the entire body of our citizens. OF course
no reflection upon the intelligence of any
body is intended by this remark. 1t is
| founded i'll the very philosophy of things,
| and is a truism in all respects. The Board
Of Trade is organized for the sole purpose
of thinking and acting. That is its bust
| ness. The members thereof meet and
think and act with single eye to concen-
| trate public sentiment upon some definite
| OF nd loft M 1 of nutCidQrS
only await the development of any system
or policy they may choose to evolve; and,
| in nine cases out of ten, they will be salts
| fed.
We need manufactures. Who will ques-
ton so reasonable proposition? Are We
not suffering intensely for the want of
| them? Is not our business dropping and
langUishing in consequence thereof? Do
| not become offended if the truth is told.
We are too prone to cherish imaginary
| feelings about our prosperity-tO magnify
our advancement without having the ne
| cessary foundation. A year or two more,
| [ fear, will unfold the sad effects of our
| folly in this regard in the depreciation of
real estate, knocking down rents and par
| alyzing our commerce. 1t is already as
| serted that real estate has declined, and
that rents have met with the same fate.
| And, again, we hear of no extensive pre-
parations for building the coming season.
All this is ominous and bodies no good for
our city. Have we not, with these start
| ling facts before us, grounds for pressing
| this matter?
| On this account, your correspondent is
so urgent in calling the attention of your
Board of Trade to the necessity of prOvid-
ing a plan for consolidating capital to
build up some manufacturing enterprise in
our midst There is no use any longer to
make appeals to the masses. This work
must be inaugurated by the body III ques-
ton. What is everybody's business is no.
body's business. Some Ole must take the
lead. Let the Board of Trade do it. Let
a strong and judicious committee be ap-
pointed, whose duty it shall be to
weigh this matter well, turn it
oyer anda lover and inculcate plan
for the final action of the Board. Give
them plenty of time, six months, if nee
essary, but exact it of them, to mature
their thoughts thoroughly, and thus come
before the Board with scheme sound in
all its parts. That it would have a good
effect is apparent. 1t would put our whole
community to thinking, and if / am not
greatly deceived, would result in perma-
nent good. The project would come in
such commendable shape as to command
| the respectful consideration of every we'll
wisher of the city. If capital of $780,
600 can't be raised. fall to lower figure,
and still lower, if necessary. Start the
| oCOrk, is the idea. First determine what
sort of manufacturing interest you propose
to Introduce, ascertain the cost and then
open yoMr books for the needed stock, fol-
lowed by an energy and q will which re-
cogniZes no difficulties. C. VIC.