The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-01-03
COMMERCE AND 1NDUsrRY.

Gold closed in New York, Dec. 10, at IL SO.
A mass meeting was held at Cooper Insti-
tute, New York, on the evening of Dec. IL,
nominally in behalfof unemployed workmen,
but really under the auspices of the Commun-
lists and Red Republicans. The hall was
crowded and several thousand were unable to
gain admittance Trouble was feared, and a
large force of police were in attendance. The
Platform was decorated with numerous flags,
bearing inscriptions, some decidedly of an in
fiammatory character. The appearance of
the police in the hail was greeted with misses.
Theodore III. Banks was elected chair
man. On taking the chair he said the meet
ing had no axes to grind and merely desired
to obtain work for the unemployed. Mr..
Blair, chairman of the Workingmen's Cen
tral Council, read report prepared, show
ing that 10000 working people are walk
ing the streets, seeking employment or chari-
ty, and 10000 mechanics are in forced idle
ness. An address to the People of the
United States was then read, setting forth
that it is the intention of the committee to take
such measures as viii forever prevent money
panics. After setting forth in detail the evils
at present affecting workingmen, the report
suggests as a remedy, first that laws shall be
Immediately enacted which shall prevent any
law being enforced until it has been submit
ted to the people and sanctioned by the peo-
pie; second, that no individual shall be al
lowed to hold, either directly or Indirectly, a
sum of money or property represented by
money greater than $500, 900 or any amount
which the people themselves shall determine
upon. These resolutions were unanimously
adopted, and Committee of Safety then ap-
pointed.
The Senate Transportation Committee will
start South at the commencement of the holi-
day recess.
The Illinois State Grange, in session at
Bloomington, Dec. -, adopted long series
of resolutions presented by the committee,
setting forth that the objects of the, order are
for the social, intellectual and moral elevation
of the people; expressing fraternal feeling
for farmers clubs and similar organizations,
the objects of which are mainly identical with
those of the order; favoring system of free
banking; condemning the increased salary;
requesting tile Legislature not to meddle with
the present State temperance law; deelar-
ing that Congress had power to, and should
control Interstate commerce and transporta-
ton, and commencing its action thus far in
this regard; asking for a modification or re-
peal of the tax on foreign bottoms; favoring
improvement of rivers and canals by the gem
| eral Government as a means of cheapening
transportation; also, favoring the building Of
additional railroads, with proper restrictions,
and as a last resort the building OF freight
railroads by the Government solely for the
benefit of the people; declaring the inherent
right of the people to control corporations,
and opposing any repeal, or essential modi-
| fication of the State railroad law.
The Iowa State Grange during its recent
session, closed contract for the purchase OF
the Werner Harvester patent, with the in
| tent to start a mandatory of their own. A
committee was appointed to draft railroad
| tariff bill, to be presented to the Legislature
with memorial The Transportation Com
mittee reported in favor of the Mississippi
River and Fox and Wisconsin River improve
ments; against the acceptance of railway
passes by legislators; in favor of purchasing
no more agricultural implements from Illinois
rings; in favor of the expansion of currency
and free banking.
Pursuant to call signed by over one hum
! dred Members of Congress. a meeting was
held in the hall of the House of Representa-
tiyes at Washington, on the evening of Dec.
/ 10, for the purpose of considering the subject
of rapid and cheap transportation. Repre-
sentative Dunnell of Minnesota presided.
Some fifty or sixty Representatives were pres
emf, also Senators Aleorn aud Stevenson.
Mr.. sypher, after stating that the meeting was
not for the purpose of committing any indi