Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-19
PHILADELPHIA.
Closing Day of the National
Board of Trade.
Valuable Views on Cheap Trans
pOrtatiOn.
Postal Telegraph POstPOned-UnifOr
Bills OF LadIng-The Centennial En-
dOrsed.

dOrsed-
PHILADELPHIA, June 1S.-The COM
mittee on postal regulations submitted res
olutiOns favoring the establishment by the
Government Of postal telegraph; the lines
Of the present telegraph companies to be
paid for by the Government at just valu-
alton. These resolutions were discussed
BY Eggleston, of Cincinnati; GrosVener, of
St. Louis; Heald, Of Wilmington; Potter,
of Iowa. and others. A motion to indefiu-
itely postpone was carried.
Bayard, from the Committee on Bills Of
Lading reported as follows:
Resolved, that the Executive Council Of
the National Board Of Trade, be requested
to recommend TO its various constituent
bodies, concord of action, in opposition TO
any bill of lading or railroad receipt what
ever, containing or assuming to impose con-
ditions other than those recognized as in
force under the common law as defined by
judicial decision; that carriers issuing
such bills of lading, shall engage not to de-
liver the merchandise designated except on
surrender of the original bill of lading, or
against the duplicate under proper restric-
tion in cases Of loss or destruction Of the
original.
Resolved further, that the Board re-af-
firms its declaration that all inland car
riers should be required to deliver the
quantity by weight Of bulk grain shipped.
Resolved further, that the executive
council be requested to consider and report
to the National Board of Trade at its next
meeting what, if any, legislation, whether
State or National, is needed or can be Sc
cured TO accomplish the purpose Of defining
the rights and duties of all carriers, and Of
restricting the terms and conditions Of all
bills Of lading and railroad receipts, in
accordance with the principles Of the COM
mon law.
The resolutions were agreed to and a
copy ordered to be sent 10 the Associated
Chambers of Commerce of Great Britain.
The consideration of the Canadian Iecip-
rOcity treaty was then taken up, and a
resolution memOTializing Congress for a
joint commission on the subject, was
adopted.
The following in relation to the Centen-
NAL Exposition was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, that as body we feel an I'M
hesitating conviction that the success Of
the enterprise is already assured, and COM
mend the furtberance Of the work to the
pride and patriotism Of our fellOW-citizens
in every section Of our country.
Cheap transportation.
The report of the Committee on Trans
pOrtatiOn was submitted as follows:
Whereas, certain defects exist in our syS-
TEN of transportation which are an I'M
necessary burden upon commercial inter-
ests, and also upon every producer and con-
sumner; and,
Whereas, prominent among these are the
construction of railways mainly by the
proceeds of bonds without full payment Of
the stocks subscribed, the watering Of stock
on prosperous roads to afford 4 plausible
pretext for imposing upon the public an
oppressive tariff, combinations between par
allel lines for the same purpose, the d.
vision of the legitimate work Of railways
among various sub-cOmpanies, such as fast
freight, express, sleeping and palace car
companies, the expense of bridge cOmpa-
MES, and other similar devices, in which
railway managers are interested, and which
deplete the revenues which legitimately
belong TO the stockholders, together with
other and greater defects which Affect the
public interest; therefore,
Resolved, that the subject Of tranSporta-
ton having a most important bearing upon
the welfare of both our internal and for
eign commerce, should receive the earnest
consideration Of legislators, both State.and
national, to the end that substantial jus
tice may be done both to the capital which
has been honestly invested in our trans
pOTtatiOn system and also 10 the public.
Resolved, that where transportation
lines are located exclusively within the
limits Of a State, that they should be reg
ulated by State legislation, but where
tIev. ere engaged in interstate commerce
II i the ,,,,1tv Of the National Government
m nrescribe anu enforce such regulations
as viii insure SUBSTANTIAL justice to all
concerned.
Resolved. that there exists a ismanta0le
lack Of reliable data upon which 10 Oase
legislation, and we therefore urge upon
Congress the establishment Of depart
ment or bureau whose special business
shall be to collect and disseminate infOr-
nation bearing on our great national com
meTce, which is now estimated to exceed
in amount that of our foreign commerce
in the ratio of u to 1. We also commend
to the attention Of the various States the
importance Of collecting reliable infOTma-
ton on which to base their local legisla-
ton upon this great question.
Resolved, that experience has shown that
the attempt to regulate the details Of rail-
road management is inexpedient, but that
certain laws of a general character can be
enacted which are both practicable and
necessary for the protection Of the public
interest. Among these primarily is an
amendment Of the general railway law now
existing in the different States so as to pro
hibit the Tissue Of stock which is not paid
for and the increase of capital stock, except
for definite and specified extension or i'm
proyement. The issue OF stock to repre-
/ sent surplus earnings, which have been col
lected from the public, should be absolutely
prohibited.
>. A uniform system Of keeping the &C
counts of transportation companies should
I be established in all States which will en-
able a correct judgment to be formed of
their condition.
3. A uniform classification Of tbeyariOUs
| articles Of merchandise should be made in
all the States.
/. A uniform system Of publishing OF
posting at every shipping point schedule
| of rates and fares, embracing all particulars
| regarding distance, classification, special
! tariff. etc, and prohibiting an increase OF
such rates above published, without at least
thirty days notice.
3. Requiring railway companies to re-
ceipt for quantity, and to deliver the same
| at its destination.
! Resolved, that our national water lines
| should be improved, but that such improve
| men.s should be limited to the construc.
ton of short lines between great bodies Of
water.
The resolutions were taken up separate
". The first was adopted. The second
was tabled. The third was adopted
The fourth was considered by sections.
That section referring to the watering of
stock was laid on the table. The section
relating to a uniform system Of keeping &C
counts was adopted. The section for uni.
form classification for various articles OF
merchandise was tabled, as was also the
section relating to a uniform system Of
posting schedule. The section referring
to receipts for quantities Of merchandise
was adopted. The resolution referring Il
the involvement of national water lines