New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-05
FF,cAL JOURNAL or THE STATE LOUISIANA.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCR.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The regular meeting of this body was
held last evening at their rooms, at half
past seven O'Clock.
The president informed the chamber that
he had remitted to Messrs. Forshey and
Hebert the $500 voted by this body on the
second day after the last meeting.
Colonel Sandige, chairman OF the commit
indulgence at the hands of the chamber for
making merely verbal report. He ad.
yerted to the beneficial results that had |
accrued to this city from the use of disin-
fectants. The comparative exemption of
the city of New Orleans from epidemic, at a |
time when many of the interior towns were |
sorely afflicted, was a sufficient proof of the |
efficacy Of disinfectants.
There had been a meeting between the |
members of the committee and the Mayor,
which resulted in the assertion by his
honor that any suggestion or proposition on
the part of the Chamber Of Commerce
would be carried out
On motion of Mr.. Slayback, the report
was adopted and the committee discharged.
President Oglesby then informed the as
eembly that he had been advised that the
Board of Health fully accorded with the
views set forth by the committee appointed
by the Chamber.
Mr.. h. Q. Seixas then arose, asking in
formation regarding the condition of the
New Orleans and Texas railroad. He re-
marked that it was bruited about that the
projectors of the road were endeavoring to
excuse their non-fulfllment of their con.
tract to build the road on the ground of
the recent overflow. Mr.. Seixas therefore
called upon M. G. w. r. Bay ley, the chair
man Of the committee on railroads, to fur
nish the chamber with such data and in
formation as he possessed.
Mr.. Bayley responded with the simple
statement that he possessed no authentic
information on the subject. Concerning the
obligations entered into by the projectors OF
the railroad at the time their charter was
applied for and obtained, he stated the
terms enjOined upon them regarding the
completion of the road.
Considerable debate then ensued which
resulted in motion by Mr.. Kennard that
the committee on railroads be instructed to
render q report on the prospects of con-
structing the New Orleans and Texas rail
road at the next regular meeting of the
Chamber, together with such measures as
in the opinion of the committee may pro.
mote the immediate protection and con-
structiOn OF this important wsrk.
Mr.. Bayley hereupOn stated that he had
lately been informed by Mr.. Charles Nor
gan and Mr.. McComb that the construction
of the road was an enterprise the success
of which they each desired. The result of
Mr.. Bayley's separate interviews with Mr.
McComb and Mr.. Morgan indicated willing.
ness on the part Of both gentlemen to assist
in any way the opening up of direct rail
road communication between this city and
Houston, but an absolute unwillingness to
take any part in the affairs of the existing
partially constructed railway, unless ju-
dicial title could be obtained.
Mr.. J. II. Kennard, chairman of the COM
mittee appointed to whom was referred the
resolution of the Chamber dated April 6,
1874, regarding act No. 70 of the General
Assembly Of Louisiana. entitled "an act to
prohibit the unlawful employ yment of sail
Ors at work upon the levees or banks of the
river in the State, and to punish violations
of this act" reported that a careful exam
ination of the act shows it's provisions to be
hostile to the best interests of commerce;
that it conflicts directly with several pro-
visions of both the State and United States
constitutions and must be declared by the
courts nullity, and the committee recon-
mended all against whom it's provisions are
sought to be enforced to resist it by all law
tul means.
A delegation of gentlemen from the Com
mittee OF Seventy appeared in the chamber.
Colonel Eugene Waggaman handed to
President Oglesby written communica
tlOu bCUtAuS AOlt tA Cudt oUNCAuoA L ". AJC-
bert, now representing the Chamber of
Commerce, was acting in euch a manner as
to produce the impression on the minds of
the public at large that the Chamber of
Commerce indOrsed and sustained the
Kellogg government The committee
wished the Chamber of Commerce to de-
nounce any action tending to such political
Impressions.
Mr.. Oplesby, after reading the communi-
oofiop - I'D rossod RI, hiu, salf rQ.
marked that it would perhaps have been
in better taste had the document in hand
been brought to his notice before the meet
ing and in his private capacity. He stated
that as president Of the Chamber of Com
merce he had been empowered to appoint
committee to go to Washington to forward
the Fort ST. Philip canal project He had
never instructed any member of that COM
mittee to do aught than carry out his mis-
sion in relation to this commercial scheme.
No word of politics or of political move
ments had ever been under consideration.
This was in manner personal matter, be
said, as be had been charged with the daty
of instructing the committee and, further,
the communication was addressed to him.
The communication, the import of which
is given above in brief, was then read.
Z, An animated discussion now arose.
Mr. Eugene Levy gave notice that he
would offer resolution instructing the
president to convey to the committee from
the Chamber of Commerce now in Wash
ington that the intent Of this body was
simply to forward the undertaking of the
Fort st. Philip canal, and had no political
bias.
Mr.. Highly moved to table the whole mat
ter.
Mr.. Washington Marks rejoined that this
matter could not be thus ignored; that the
press OF this city and elsewhere had sought
to connect the Chamber of Commerce with
politics. He concluded by calling upon the
chairman of the delegation sent by the
Committee of Seventy to explain the cause
that had given rise to the communication
Colonel Waggaman thereupon explained
that the reasons that actuated the Commit
tee of Seventy were twOfOld. First, re-
garding the action of Governor Hebert in
disseminating certain political views while
acting as the accredited agent of the Cham
Der of Commerce of this city; and second,
as to impressions that would thus obtain
both at home and abroad in consequence OF
such action respecting the affiliatiOn OF the
Chamber of Commerce with the Kellogg
usurpation. 1t was therefore thought IN
the line Of the duty of the Committee OF
Seventy to request from the Chamber OF
Commerce a declaration as to its noe con-
nection with politics and public disclaim-
er of any implication with the present polit-
ical imbrog,io.
Colonel Sandidge called for the reading
of the minutes of February 2, 1874, wherein
the status of the Chamber of COmmerce
v as fully established, and all political
schemes and complications utterly ignored
He thought the action taken on that occa-
sion quiGe sufficient to cover the present
case.
The president here took occasion to re-
| mark that SO far from having any political
bias or regard in the matter, the mere men.
| tion of tie fact that Mr. r. II. MARI had