New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-02
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Regular monthly meeting, Mr.. j. Il.
Oglesby, presiding. es-
Mr.. Kepnard, for the committee on trans
portation, reported that the committee had
finished it's report, and that the document
is now in the printers hands.
MIR. Singleton spoke of the Burdeau suit
against the Chattanooga Railroad Com
pany, in which the Chamber of Commerce
Is an intervenor. He said the suit was of
vital interest to the whole city; that thus
far Mr.. Bordeau had prosecuted the suit
and expended over a $1,000 in that affair,
and was willing to donate that sum, pro-
vided the Chamber would pursue the case.
Mr. Hays said the present City Admins
traitors had caused proceedings to be insti-
tnted to annul all the engagements by
which the city undertook to ALLEVIATE to the
railroad the right to use the levee in the
manner complained of. He had no donbt
the suits would result to the satisfaction of
this Chamber
Mr. Oglesby stated that he had informa-
ton that the company proposing to estab-
lish line OF steamships to Vera Cruz
would probably prove failure, and offered
the following resolutions on the subject,
which were adopted:
WHEREAS, The Chamber has learned
with regret the probable failure Of the con-
tract OF postal service by steamer between
New Orleans and Vera Cruz, by reason Of
non compliance and forfeiture by the con-
tractors for the said service; and
Whereas, A more direct and fre1uent
communication between the United States
and Mexico than exists at preseut is de-
manded both by reason Of the amity exist
ing between the two nations, and the i'm
pOrtance and value of their trade; therefore
Resolred That this Chamber hereby ex-
presses its disposition to aid any responsible
contractor who will put On not less than
semi-monthly postal mail service between
New Orleans and the city of Vera Cruz
within their control upon such
service, and that they will urge
upon their fellow citizens, as well as upon
the river and railroad interests Of the in
terrier, the immense importance of a direct
communication by steam and rail direct
between New York and Vera Cruz, by way
of the city Of New Orleans.
Resolced, That our representatives in
Congress are respectfully and earnestly
sible moment, providing subvention for
mail service, not less than semi-monthly,
between the city of New Orleans and Vera
Cruz, on such terms and conditions as they
may deem just to the United States, and
the Importance of the object involved.
Mr.. kennard, from the committee ap-
pointed to draft q law to be submitted to
the national Congress, reported bill for
constructing the Fort st. Philip canal un.
der the superintendent of the national
government. The bill provides that the
canal shall be constructed under the direc-
tiOn of the Secretary Of War. and shall be
commenced within six months after the
passage of the law. 1t also provides that
the canal shall be free to the commerce of
all nations on terms of commercial anity
with this country. In case it should sub.
sequently become necessary to exact a toll
sufficient to keep the canal in repair, then
the bill provides that a commission shall be
constituted to determine the amount of toll
that will be required for that purpose, said
commission to be composed of one person
appointed by the Secretary Of War, one by
this Chamber of Commerce and one by the
Cotton Exchange.
The bill was discussed by members, and
Mr.. Burwell read a communication, relative
to the subject of improving Western waters,
from ST. Louis.
General Bussey explained the circular, he
having letter from gentleman in that
city, and offered resolution to have COR
responding committee appointed. Adopted.
Mr.. Oglesby had a few remarks to offer.
He, when North last summer, was often
asked why the city of New Orleans did not
send proper representatives to Washington
to represent our needs Political commit
tees were plentiful, but commerce and
finance found no committees of able gentle
men to show what this section OF the world
requires. The speaker was willing to 90
himself, and after the holidays desired to
see this Chamber take some action
General Hayes thought the reason Of our
being remiss exists in this very bOdy-New
Orleans Chamber of Commerce He now
demanded that something like energy be
displayed.
Colonel Sandige, speaking on the bill, de-
sired to see that portion of section eight
struck out.
The bill, as amended was adopted.
MIR. Bayley, from the committee or State
constitutional Amendments, reported.
The committee proposed that there shall
be no increase in the State debt. The debt
to be reduced to $l5,000,O00, and never
after to exceed that sum. No taxes to be
ordered to further private interests or com
binatiOns. No license tax on professions,
etc. Property to be assessed for only one
fourth of its salable value. Assessors to
be paid by salary.
Judge Howe proposed to offer an amend
ment fixing legislative expenses at certain
figure.
1t is proposed to submit these amend
ments to the people at the next election.
Colonel Sandige suggested that the sub
ject be duly considered, as there Is ample
time before the General Assembly will
meet.
The report was recommitted to the COM
mittee for amendments
Colonel Shropshire made a report con-
eerning tariffs in bonded warehouses, but
subsequently, withdrew it for the purpose
of making extended examinations.
Mr.. Oglesby introduced resolution con.
corning steamship service between this
city and Vera Cruz. 1t is proposed to peti-
tion Congress to establish a semi-monthiy
line, and also that the proposition to estab-
lish steam line from New Orleans to Bra.
zil be fOstered and assisted. Adopted.
The rules were suspended, and Mr.. NJ.
Rogers was elected member of the Cham
Der. -.
Mr.. Oglesby presented the prospectus of
the Louisiana Laboring Homestead and Co
operative Association, and commended it
to the consideration of the Chamber.
Mr. Oglesby, before introducing Mr..
Giraud, said that the subject was one of
great Importance. Cooperation in England
had greatly changed the whole country.
He said all the capital that came to this
country was absorbed in putting seed into
the ground. The country would never be
prosperous until it was filed with men who
raised three and five bales of cotton.
Mr.. Long said the association was already
prosperous 1t met with an enthusiastic
response from both whites and blacks.
Eleven hundred subscribers were procured
in three weeks. By the middle of the
month they would have a central Office
opened in New Orleans, and would have
$25, 900 subscribed. What was desired was
the moral support of New Orleans.
Mr.. Burwell read some remarks of Mr.. A.
Giraud, the founder of the association, fore
shadowing its success, and detailing its pro-
gress thus far.
The Chamber referred the matter to a
committee. and siguitad its indorsement of