New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-05-06
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE
COMMITTEE OF SEVENTY.

There was quite little furry in the
Chamber of Commerce at the meeting on
MONDAY night. 1t seems to have come to
the attention of the Committee of Seventy.
by way Of rumor, no doubt, that the Cham
Der of Commerce had dared to express o
political opinion! Such a heresy could
not be tolerated for moment, unless per-
chance it happened to be very correct
and sound opinion, which would make a
difference, you know. So the Committee
Of Seventy, which is our political con-
sistory, sent delegation to see about it.
The old gentlemen who were in attend
ance at the Chamber were little scared
at first. when they heard they were ac-
cused of having had political opinion,
and wrong one at that. But innocence
is ever strong They knew the charge to
be founded in mistake, and made haste to
put themselves on record as being entirely
devoid Of political idea of any kind. So
there was great relief and satisfaction all
around
Now we are sure the Chamber of Com
merce will never improve the advantage
the septuagints have given it. If the
chamber may not discuss politics, relig-
ion, morals, or anything else beside cot
ton, soap, tar, pork and beans, and cent
per cent, the committee ought to be for
hidden to trench upon the Chambers pre-
rogative. For the latter is composed of
amiable old gentlemen, who do not wish
to become involved in any wrangle about
things they do not comprehend. There
fore, while claiming to be equal in dig
nifty to the committee, the Chamber vir-
tually admits itself to be subordinate to it
when it submits itself to criticism.
1t strikes us that it is no special concern
of one voluntary committee Of citizens
whether or not another amateur body has
any ideas at all, political or otherwise. If
our Chamber of Commerce is made up of
American citizens, they doubtless have
their individual opinions, and ought not
to be ashamed of them. There are at
present but very few political questions
before the American people. Nearly all
those subjects which onceagitated Senates
and political conventions have passed
away. In their day they had strong
friends and violent enemies And the
very subject which brought this discussion
into the Chamber on Monday night, the
construction Of the Fort St. Philip canal,
is still one of the most important political
questions of the day. Congress is divided
upon it. And yet, when the Committee
of Seventy are assured that the Chamber
Of Commerce had no intention to enter
tain any political question only the high
ly commercial one of internal improve
ments, the apology was deemed highly
satisfactory! So much for modern ideas
OF politics and craftsmanship.
There is another question upon which
Congress and the President differ in their
views. The Northeast is arrayed against
the West and the South. It is the most
unsettled political question of the day,
and yet we would value an opinion upon
this subject, while anything about it from
the Committee Of Seventy would excite
ridicule. We refer to the financial policy
of the United States. The diff Guilty with
the Committee of Seventy is that they en-
ploy wrong terms to express their mean
ing. They call the squabbles over the
possession of offices in this State, politics,
and want to exclude the Chamber from
any voice in the work of filling them. AS
the latter body is not in the pay of as
pirants for public places, 1t very cheer
fully gives the right of way to the.septua-
gints, and with it the privilege of stating
the case in very bad English.
Instead of drinks, Western men now