Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-03-30

! Win lJS seat Ineu aO hOuI2OUQ6TYt Aih-
bama, frequently solicited the views
and asked the advice of the Memphis
chamber of commerce and merchants
exchange concerning the proper dispo-
sition to be made of the finances, cot
ton and other products. The question
of greatest Importance was what the
| Confederate government should do with
the cotton, whether it should be burnt
or held, or be taken by the government
and bonds issued thereon. These ques-
tiOns were agitated, and committee
/ appointed to confer with the C0nfeder-
ate government.
| THE COLUMBUS BLOCKADE.
The chamber at the above annual
meeting considered the Confederate
blockade at Columt US, Kentucky, and
| deeming it advisable that il should be
raised in respect to certain staple pro-
ducts, appointed committee to investi-
| gate the subject. At the November
meeting, Messrs. W. B. Galbreath and
A. NJ FOute, the delegation previously
appointed to visit the Confederate capi-
tai, at Richmond, reported the result of
their mission, to the effect that the Con-
federate government had aceeded to
their views in relation to the Columbus
blockade. sA-
THE sEoUEsTRATIoN LAW. II
At an adjourned meeting early in 1862,
Messrs. Ira NJ. Hill, Shepherd and
Miller reported favorably upon the re-
suit of their mission to Nashville,
where, as Representatives of the cham
Der, they had gone, by invitation of the
citizens of the State capital, TO urge
upon the legislature the Importance of
modifying certain features of the ''se-
questration act" The report was adOp-
ed.
IN MEMoRIAM.
At the March meeting, Mr.. w. S.
Pickett announced the death of Mr.. A.
Q. Harris, and paid a fitting tribute to
the memory of the deceased, who was
an old and highly esteemed citizen,
prominent merchant and energetic
member of the chamber.
AN INTERREGNUM
of two years commenced from this date,
for the war-lines had pressed close to
our city. Instead OF the barge of COM
merce and the palace of pleasure, the
war vessel, with its death-mouthed
sides, fioated upon the great river on
which the wealth of the country had
once been carried. Memphis was cap
tured, her homes desolate, and many of
her nOblest and most patriotic citizens
then in the ranks of the southern army.
This need not be revived, for the crushed
hopes of the country, the saddened
hearts of the gentle homefolk, the arm
less sleeve, the rude grave and the shin
| ing shaft, all are memorials of what
has been.
REVIVAL OF THE CHAMBER.
June s, 1865, the chamber met for the
first time since the war. The meeting
| was held in Stillman's hall, corner of
Second and Madison streets (Ghe present
site Of the Masonic temple), Senior Vice
President John T. Stratton, presiding,
and Mr.. Toof, the secretary, being pres
ent. The presiding officer stated that
the objects of the meeting were to reor-
ganize the chamber and pass suitable
resolutions respecting the death of Thos.
w. Hunt, the worthy president. Mr..
Harrington then presented suitable reso-
lutions expressing the grief of the mem
bers for the loss of Mr.. Hunt, and paid
a handsome tribute to the virtues and
memory of the deceased. Mr. Toof re-
signed at this meeting because of other
business duties, and Mr.. VIM. ROsse'le
was elected to fill his place. The other
officers retained their positions, and the
chamber was reOrganized with one hun
dred and ten members, which number
was soon increased to between three
hundred and fifty aod four hundred.
In the meantime rooms over Manstield's
drug store were fitted up for the occupa-
ton of the chamber.
GREETING FROM CHICAGO.
At the August meeting, 1865, COM
mittee was appointed to visit Chicagoin
behalf of the Memphis chamber which
had been invited to attend the exercises
OF the opening Of the Chicago board of
han oil 90 |
soon after the war, when sectional
! prejudice was as strong and vindictive
as had been the feeling during the civil
strife, was means of accomplishing
much good. To this, in part at least,
may be ascribed the generous aid of
thirty thousand dollars given by Mem
phis TO that unfortunate city when her
proudest temples had fallen under the
great confagration. To this may also
be ascribed, TO some extent the grati-
tude of Chicago in contributing to the
aid of Memphis when stricken by the
fearful epidemic last year. From COM
mercial intercourse great lessons of hu-
manity are sometimes taught, and the
wisdom of philanthropy itself inn
planted in the mind and hearts of those
who would seek the prosperity of a great
nation.
ONERoUs TAXATION.
At this meeting a committee was
appointed to devise means whereby to
relieve merchants of the State from the
onerous taxation imposed by lately
enacted revenue laws. Mr.. Rosselle,
during this period, proved indefatigable
in increasing the membership and pre-
serving the interest of the public in
behalf of the chamber, which had its
ANNUAL MEETING OF 1865
in September. The annual report, made
by Mr.. Rosselle, was regarded of so much
Importance that a very large number
was. ordered to be printed. AS a re-
,,ognition of the value of his services
the: chamber reelected Mr.. Rosselle
secretary. The following other
officers were elected: President,
William M. Harrington; vice-presi-
dents, John T. StrattOn, 3. NJ. Gates,
w. G. Nixon, T. A. Nelson and Charles
Northrop; treasurer, William A.
tiwynn. The first questions of impor-
tance which claimed the consideration
Of the chamber were certain unjust dis
examinations on the part of the Mobile
and Ohio and Mississippi Central rail-
roads against freights coming to Mem
IIhis. The measures inaugurated for
this purpose resulted in the action of the
shove roads being less Objectionable to
lnempnlS. measures were also intro
tluced looking to the establishment of a
6Iaily 'change, and Governor Brownlow
was memnrialized to appoint tobacco
inspector at Memphis, which, before the
war, sold on its breaks twenty-five hum
Gred hogsheads of this product The
com mm&ndant at this post was also re-
euested to remove the numerous barri-
cades, barracks and quartermasters'
sheds, which obstructed the streets and
the levee. At the January meeting,
1856, steps were taken for the building
of direct railroad from Memphis 70 st.
Louis.
THE LETTER-CARRIER SYSTEM.
At the March meeting memorial to
Postmaster General CresWell, asking
the establishment of the free-delivery
system in Memphis, was adopted, and
il being sent to Washington met with
an immediate and favorable response.
AT the,April meeting plans for the resur-
rection and completion of the Memphis
aud Little Rock railroad were devised,
and afterward resulted favorably. At
the May meeting memorial to con-
gress asking the repeal of
THE CoTTON-TAX LAW
was adopted, and, through the aid of