Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-09

y L.
manner adopted.
Mr.. |, N. Hill read from the Congressional
Record as to the original bids for material Tor
the customhouse, and the giving of the con-
tract for the Memphis customhouse to Schnel-
der & Co. for Illinois sandstone.
Colonel Young explained that the article
read by MIR. HILL from the Congressional
Record was the argument of the counsel OF
Schneider & Co. He Colonel Young) had
shown before the committee in congress that
there were four bids lower than that of Schnel-
der d Co., and the supervising architect ex-
planned that he gave the contract to Schneider
g. Co. because he thought them the most re-
sponsible parties. Four gentlemen most re-
sponsibIe offered to build the Memphis Gus
tomhouse at lower price than Schneider,
Co. He Colonel 1oung), as citizen and a
member of congress, now asserted that the act
of the supervising architect In this matter was
one of the most outrageous frauds ever per-
petrated In this country, and when he went
back to congress In December next he did not
think that the supervising architect would
hold his Office much longer. The remon-
STRANGE of this chamber will be listened to by
congress and by the head of any department
in Washington. Let this contract be an
uulled, let bids be advertised for, and then
certainly nothing can be lost by any one or
by the government. He again asked the
chamber to protest to the secretary of the
treasury, asking him to stop and annul the
contract with Schneider & Co., and let out the
contract to the lowest bidder. [Applause.]
LETTER TO JOHN SHERMAN.
Mr.. ]. T. Trezevant offered letter, as
follows:
To Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, ID. c.:
The Memphis chamber of commerce most
respectfully but earnestly urge that no con-
tract TO. the construction of the Memphis
customhouse out of Tennessee marble be
made until ample advertisement for bids
therefor be invited by the secretary OF the
treasury.
On motion the letter or resolution was
adopted.
THE BURNED ELEVATOR.
Aresolution was offered by G. W. Goyer
as to the Memphis and St. Louis packet COM
pany, expressing sympathy with them In the
loss of the elevator and recommending that
the mayor of the city offer a reward of one
thousand dollars for the apprehension of the
persons who destroyed the elevator building
by fire.
Mr.. l. M. Hill did not believe in the city
offering reward. The mayor had no right
to do SO. He favored offering sympathy, how
ever. The chamber of commerce might offer
a reward, but it had no right to ask the
mayor to do so.
Mr.. Trezevant advocated the resolution as
an expression of public opinion on the sub
ject and suggesting that reward should be
offered for the apprehension OF the criminals
who had destroyed the elevator by fire.
The resolutions as adopted are as follows:
ReSolued. That this chamber extend its
earnest sympathy to the Memphis and st.
Louis packet company in the severe losses
recently sustained at our landing, and appre-
ciating thoroughly, as we do, the value to our
trade of the elevator SO unfortunately
DESTROYED by fire, this chamber desires that
IrIr ha nv
merchants and municipal authorities which
may insure its early reconstruction.
ReSolred That inasmuch as there is no
reasonable doubt that the recent destruction
by fire of the elevator and of the steamer
Capitol City was the result of incendiarism,
this chamber of commerce, in behalf of the
business interests and citizens severally of
Memphis, respectfully urge upon the mayor
and the police authorities that no effort be
spared on their part in ferreting out and
bringing to punishment the parties lmpli-
Gated in this great crime.
ANOTHER RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Goyer said there was need of an eleva-
tor at the wharf of Memphis. The agent or
the elevator company said to him that the
company did not intend rebuilding the eleva-
tor, but that the company would do whatever
the merchants of Memphis would suggest.
He moved that committee of five be APP
pointed to suggest some plan by which the
elevator could be erected, and that the COM
mittee cooperate with the merchants and
business men Of the city in the matter.
The resolution was adopted, and the follow
ing committee was appointed by President
Eiseman: G. W. Goyer, chairman; j. G.
Nicely, J. K Speed, L. Hanauer, N. Hill.
CONSUL FROM THE NETHERLANDS.
The following resolution was offered by Mr..
S. NJ. Gates. and it was adopted:
WuEREAs Direct trade hetWeen the mar
kets of continental Europe and the city of
Memphis has so rapidly increased for the past
four or FIVE years, especially in its demand for
our cotton products; and in view of prom
ised improved and cheap freighting facilities,
resulting from opening the mouth of the
Mississippi river for the safe navigation of a
class of merchant vessels; improved facility
afforded by bankers and factors, together
with the fast increasing Importance OF Mem
phis as market for superior grades OF cot
ton, and all other products of the cotton
plant, all giving promise of further and rapid
increase of direct trade, especially II properly
invited and protected; be it, therefore
Resolred, That as an initiation to the de-
velopment of increased direct commercial in
tercourse and trade, that the secretary of
this exchange be requested to communicate
with the chambers of commerce of the cities
of Amsterdam and Rotterdam as to the prac-
ticability and utility of being represented in
JQlS CITY Dy d CONSUL dScuCJ VI IliO SOfciu-
ment of the Netherlands.
OPENING BIG HATCHIE RIVER.
The following resolution, offered by Mr.. E.
G. Buchanan, was adopted:
ResolUed, That the chamber of commerce
appoint committee to confer with the proper
authorities in the counties of Upton, Hay
wood and Hardeman, looking to the passage
of an act by the next general assembly for
the opening of Big Hatchie river, by requir-
ing the Memphis and Louisville railroad COM
pany to put drawbridge over said stream,
and that the other roads crossing said stream
below Bolivar, Tennessee, be required to con-
struct like bridges.
The committee appointed was as follows:
Messrs. E. c. Buchanan, Jerome Hill and R.
Wormeley.
There being no other business to be brought
before the chamber of commerce, a motion to
adjourn to the next regular meeting prevailed.
rn-zzz.....zn.n@A