The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-11-05
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE GREAT DEFECTS OF THE EhiE CANAL
ELECTION OF Mn. CARL scHURz AS AN HON
oRARY MEMBER.
The Chamber OF Commerce met yesterday afternoon
at one O'Clock Mr.. Samuel D. Babcock in the chair.
Some interesting business was transacted
Mr, soLoS HUMPHREYS, Chairman of the Executive
Committee, reported tho names OF fortytwo candt
oates for membership. all OF whom were unanimously
elected members of the Chamber.
The following gentlemen chosen delegates "a
attend the meetings OF the National Board OF Trade
for the ensuing year:-samuel d. Babcock, William L
Dodge, James 5. I. stranahan and S. B Chttenden-
Mr.. HUMPHREYS reported back the proposed amend
ments TO the bylaws, and on recommendation OF tho
committee, the amendment relating to the late Com
mlttees Of Arbitration and Appeal was adopted The
other amendments proposed, making the presiding
officers of the several commercial bodies OF the city
oDfco members OF the Chamber, was reported
adversely by the committee
On motion OF Mr. HUMPHREYS the list OF members in
arrears for dues reported by the Executive Committee
at the last meeting OF tho Chamber and laid on the
table, was taken from the table and placed on file
thus suspending those gentlemen from membership
CANAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr. SAMUEL d. RUGGLEs presented the following reso
lution-
Resolved, That the Executive Committee prepare
memorial for the consideration Of tho Chamber thu
ture OF the State the next session, requesting
passage for the second time and without undue delay
Of the resolution unanimously passed by both houses
OF the last Legislature proposing amendment OF the
State constitution authorizing the appointment OF a
Superintendent OF Public Works by the Governor with
the consent OF the Senate and aboshng the Offices OF
the Canal Commissioners.
Mr. RUGGLEs verbally reported in behalf OF the CON-
mttec that, under resolution OF the Chamber in May
last they had appointed Mr.. Thomas Golden Ruggles
civil engineer formerly IN the employ of the State "a
ascertain the present depth of in the Erie Canal
and the comparative rates OF speed OF pro
PEELED by steam and those moved by animal power
whose report to the Chamber in October, and printed
by its order stated the OF speed for canal boau
propelled by steam to average follows-In descend.
ing the canal from Buffalo to Troy, 9o-10o miles pei
hour, and from Troy to New York, on the Hudson
River, "A 100 miles, for boats ascending from New
York to Troy the Hudson River, 5 $500 miles pei
hour, and ascending the canal from Troy to Buffalo,
27-l00 miles
The engineer further reported that in his opinion,
the addition of foot additional depth to the levels Of
the canals, making 1t feet instead OF 7, would, with
the proper increase OF current and without any chang,
in the locks aqueducs the cargoes of the boats
hour practically increasing their capacity, and,
quently economy of transportation in the same ratio
Mr. RUGGLEs added that the Chamber would regret TO
learn that the examining engineer further reported that
the canal still remained unfinished and partially OBJ
structoi in many localities and had not uniform depth
of feet; that in many places II not more than 80
feet wide instead of the "a feet with full DEPTH that
except in the middle of the canal the depth in many
places did not exceed feet inches; that struck
rock on the bottom at Holey, the same which he mad
found and had reported previous survey made by
him for the Canal Commissioners in 1851 He further
reported the remarkable fact that the marshes be-
tween Clyde and Montezuma the level full of eel
grass plugging the and reardng the boat that
il made only one and a half miles per hour partial
of the average speed made by horse boats
shows them to be less than one-half Of that Of tha
steamboats,.
The Chamber would see the pressing necessity or tho
constitutional amendments mentioned in the resolution
now reported by the Executive Committee
Colonel CoNKLIsG seconded the resolution the neces
sity Of which was in his opinion, very apparent from
the recent disclosures regarding the canals. Colonel
Conkling said he would like to know whether 1t
proposed to deepen the canal to eight feet
Mr. RUGaLEs replied that there specific propo-
ston to that effect, but the recommended
would probably lead to it. IT advisable and could
be done cheaply.
Mr. DoDcE said he was thankful to Divine Provi-
dence for having long spared the lie OF his friend
(Mr Rugges) in his efforts to improve canal navi-
CATION.
bodies would like TO subscribe TO this memorial and
Mr. RuGGLEs replied that their cooperation in the good
work would be heartily welcome.
Mr. JOHN A. STEVENS reported from the Special Com
mitce the Revision of the Tariff. He thought tbs
present time was favorable Tor renewal OF the Efforts
TO combine with other cities in procuring such change
OF the tariff from ad valorem to specific dutIes)
seemed desirable TO the several trades
Mr.. GEORGE opDYKE rendered his resignation
member of tho committee for the new Chamber OF
Commerce building.
Mr. DODGE remarked in this connection that deci-
svc reply had been yet received from the Secretary
of the Treasury in regard the proposal of the Cham
Der to purchase the old Post ONCE ground site.
letter from James orion, professor ofVassar Col
lege was read, recommending that the Chamber petit
ton the Secretary of the Navy to explore the Benz
region in Bolivia Referred to the Executive Commit
tee with power.
A letter from the Board OF Trade OF Chicago in ro-
gard TO reforms in bills of adng read and placed
/ hle
Mr. Nicholas Ball wrote to say that signal station
highly necessary at Block Island and asked that
petition be signed by tho merchants OF New York pray
/ ing the government to establish one there Referred
20 the Committee Foreign Commerce.
| Mr.. G. II. WArRous gave notice that Mt the next
meeting OF the Chamber he would offer a resolution
directing committee to inquire what effect the
tnuance of the present state Of things in Cuba would
have the commerce of the United States, and TO
port their conclusions to the Chamber.
COMPLIMENT SEIZURE
Mr.. HENRY f. MoRING desired to nominate gentle
man as an honorary member of the Chamber who had
done more than anybody in the United States to main
the principle of specie payment Although only
adopted citizen of the United States he has done
his duty molly, and he therefore nominated Mr. Carl
Schurz for that position The usual decorum of the
serious deliberations of this body hero interrupted
BY some applause. The Char reminded Mr.. Moring
that the election of honorary member must first 60
before the Executive Committees but Mr.. Soou
Humphreys chairman OF that committee, whispered
few words to the other members, and then announced
that the Executive Committee had already considered
the subject and approved of Mr. Schurzs election. Mr.
Schurz then elected amid faint applause and the
Chamber adjourned.