New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-07
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEETING.
A MEMORIAL CoNCERNING THE CANALS-PROPOsED
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
-ruE NAUTICAL SCHOOL-JAPANEsE INDEMNITY.
The regular meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce was held yesterday afternoon $ d. Bapcock
presiding Samuel b. Rugges, from the Executive Con-
mtee reported adoption by the Chamber memorial
to the State Legislature i'll respect to the canals In TINS
reference is the memorial presented to the last
Legislature regard the pressing necessity oil an
organic reform by amendment 10 the Constitution OF
the State which should commit the sole direction ana
management of the navigation and repairs OF the state
canals to single superintendent OF public works 10 be
appointed by the Governor with the approval and con
sent OF the Senate be at all times removable Dy
the Governor" The memorial then says;
Amid the pressure OF other canal matters in the
With is accompanying report of did not receive
any special attention until near the adlormeht Oh tne
session. when both Houses OF the LNSis,atic
mously passed the joint resolution requi ca 0r lnlas
the proposed amendment to the COnsuIuu0n "IIC1 Is
now before both Houses OF the present legislature LOT
its second reading and adop ion before uansussuH 10
the people Tor their final ahcatloI your ~
are much gated to perceive by the annual message OF
the Governor just transmitted to the Legislature al nc
recommends early action IN respect 70 TINS resolution
The Chamber OF Commerce VIII ohly auu Inat t
necessity OF the proposed amendment 1Or preset lns u
diversion exists with greatly Increased force Inc o.
sructions in the navigation OF me Erle Can ana us
extent while their effects on commerce are fcit with
alarming severity in dlmnutiOn OF the quantity OF gran
and flour reaching NewYOk in the Irt Dlne months OF
the year just closed OF 2O.931 ,23S bushels.
Your memOraiists confidently believe that the amend
ent now proposed securing systematic, efficient, and
economical management OF the can is as 10 when there
As no party division or difference az opinion, viii be ra
ned by an immense majority of the people indeed the
shall not he practically unanimous ms result
with competent and honest superintendent with mod
crate appropriation would permit the entire completion
OF the canals their full depth and width before the
close of present centennial year. and the char'
acer OF the state from further injury or
reprOach
This memorial was adopted. The Committee Inter
nal Trade and improvements reported that the plans OF
A. j. Marshall Of Virginia for remcdy1ng defects in the
structure Of the Eric Canal should be referred TO the
Canal Board rather than the Chamber Of Commerce.
The report OF the delegates Of the Chamber the
nua Convention Of the American Board of Transports
tion held in Chicago Dec 49, then read by j. f.
Henry II contained extract from the paper read be-
fore that Convention 10y Richard r. Morgan civil en-
cneer on cost Of railroads in their con-
strucon and operation. The report showed that the
Convention held the general sentiment that the trans
portation had not kept pace with the production
OF the country and the development Of commerce. end
that when the relnqnished their ownership OF the
highways they had not placed sufficient restrictions and
safeguards for tho protection OF commerce The report
was adopted.
George Wilson, Secretary of the Chamber read the re-
port Committee on the Nautical School and explained
the work winch had resulted In the establishment Of the
schoolsnip ST. Marys The ship had already been the
means educating 100 youths in the duties OF sea
mauship. Resolutions adopted that the Secretary
of the Chamber be authorized to receive from respect
able shipOwners and merchants and transmit 10 the x
ecutiye Committee Superintendent, applications Tor
graduates or pupils of the school To be taken into active
service in the marine with due precauiOn on
the part employers and teachers TO place the young
sailors under command only inst and humane masters
r. h. Thurber then moved the following resolutions,
which were referred to the Committee on Foreign Com
1870 ooo
Whereas In the years 1864 an indemnity OF $4,000
was eXacted by National Government rom the Gov
eminent OF Japan foI alleged damages ana expenses
arising out OF the fOrcOle obstruction or the straits on
Simonoseki, By q rebellious vassal OF that Empire,
which act was neither aided nor c0untenanced by tue
japanese Government and for Which IT expressed the
deepest regret, and a.,
whereas The actual damages and expenses amounting
10 than $4,000 have al been paid the balance sun
remains the custody of tic state Department, ana
amounts, with accumulated interest to more imam
81 $50 900; and
Resofred, That ask the present Congress OF the
limited States investigate the circumstances attending
the exaction OF ths indemnity, and II the facts appear
as herein stated, chat a law be passed authorizing ana
directing the payment TO the Government of japan ~
the balance which remains after paying the actual dam
ages sustained by citizens VI the United states III That
affair. ,.-- .,-.,. 49, ....-oe,
MIR Thurber also moved resolution that In the interest
of commerce the Presidential term OF ONCE should pe
longer than years. but this motion, not Deng SEC
oudcd, was Withdrawn.