The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-13

A meeting of the Board Of Directors OF
the Chamber or Commerce was held last
evening in the rooms OF the Board, in the
Commercial Club building-E. o. Noting,
Esq, president, in the chair. Present
Messrs. Potts. Crenshaw, Watkins, Elicit,
Hill, SPOTS, SeddoD, Childrey, and Hawes.
The Chair referred with pleasure 10 the
success that the efforts or the Board had
met with in their endeayors to secure addi-
tional members. He then presented the
names Of Mcssrs. Darlington d Basker-
Vile and 0. II. Chalkley & Co., and they
were unanimously elected members OF the
| Chamber.
MORE NEW MEMBERS.
Mr.. Seddop, from the committee appoint
| ed to solicit membership, presented the fol-
! loving names. and they were duly elected {:
| l.. j. BossieuX. Antrim 4 Bowie, Cbaf'in,
! Staples d Co., Edward Cohen, Ettenger g.
Edmond, Harsroye & Brother, Y. Uecher,
Jr., d Brother, A. Hocn il Co., A. Rooney,
Smith tc Rady, West d Branch, f. Il. d.
MYERS, L. 4. Saunders, 4. &. Williams j.
Co.
FRANCO-AMERlCAN TREATY.
Mr.. c. d. Hill, from the Committee on
Commerce, submitted the following, which
was read and ION motion or Mr.. Potts.
adopted:
RICHMOND, VA, June II, 1879.
10 the President and Board of Directors
Richmond CHAMBER of Commerce:
Gentlcmen,-Yo Committee on Com
mcrcc, to whom was referred documents
explanatory Of proposed reciprocity treaty
between France and the United States. so
ably set forth at length in the remarks Of
NJ. Leon Chotteau before several Boards OF
| Trade in the principal cities OF this coun-
try, beg leave to make the following report !:
With the limited time and resources at
our command we hesitate to express any
| definite views upon a subject OF such vast
importance. Stiil.iobservaat businessmen
in the leading centres OF this country have
not failed to see that the great Powers OF
! Europe are watching with deep interest and
growing distrust the enormous growth in
| the volume and value Of our exports, and
the steady reduction in our imports. This
must lead eventually to such system Of re-
taliatorv tariffs on our leading articles OF
export rs shall seriously affect our foreign
business, unless by prudent legislation we
cfdeavor to secure liberal reciprocity
treaties, and thus foster our foreign busl-
ness. We therefore recommend the adop-
tion Of the following resolution:
Whereas M. Leon Chotteau has so ably
set forth, as the representative of many
leading commercial people OF France,
their desire for improved commercial rela-
tions between the two countries; and
1 whereas this Chamber is in full sympathy
with all prudent efforts on the part of oul
Government to extend and improve oul
commercial relations; therefore
ReS0lred, That this Chamber, being una
IA, RI pqn pt
10 the basis on which such intercourst
r should be improved Gl being wholly ques
; ton Of national legislation, we recommend
that the National Board OF Trade Of th
country be requested to have this subiec
brought to the attention OF our Nationa
Legislature, for lie uIpoSe OF obtainin!
such action as Sttall best promote the en-
desired.
Respectfully Submitted.
CHARLES ID. HILL,
LEWIS II. BLAIR,
D. TIpEMAS,
S. Ii. HAwES,
Committee.
On motion of Mr.. Hill, q copy was dircc
ed to be sent to the.French Consul, MosrS
Chetteau, and to the National Board c
Trade.
On motion Of Mr.. Potts, the Board al
ioulUed.
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHAMBER.
Immediately after the adjournment OF tn
Board the annual meeting Of the Cham5e
was held.
The body was called to order by Hl
N0ltiEg, and on his motion Mr.. Jane
Leigh Jones was invited 10 preside.
MIR. S0lting then submitted the
ANNUAL REPORT OF TIE EcARD OF DIRECTORS
as followS:
10 The Nembers of the Richmond Chanabe
Of Commerce.:
Gentlemen,- ,-Conformably to the bylaw
we assemble this afternoon in annual meet
ing for the purpose OF electing new Boar
OF Directors, and We do so CT this occasion
under much improved sur oundings an,
more comfortable accommodations than w
, had hitherto enjoyed all af which wer
provided under the judicious management
OF the COMMITTEES appointed for the pur
: pose, and at Nery moderate cost, and whicI
: trust will aid IN melting a more numcr
Gus attendance atGle regular manthIy meet
ings, not only Of sRe Board Of Directors
but Of the members generally, wbo are cor
daily invited by special resolution TO par
ticipate in sneh meetings, and which reso
Ifution beg specially TO recall to tis, notice
kes every member.
The events Of the pest twelve moeths fur
,msh, conceive, very reasonable caase fol
|,ccagratulation, for while business has not
geaerally been extraordinarily active OF
proc porous, yet not only has the county at
large accomplished the resumption OF spe'
cieI payments, and tie finances OF our Gov
| arnment have reached a position OF esai'
nenee beyond all previous experience, but
various important State interests pending
unsettled year ago have been placed on Z
better footing, and promise TO result in q
steady restoration OF active business and OF
private and State credit, which must bring
with 1t increased prosperity. IL this direc-
| tion the extension and perfection of freight
lines, aud tkrough rates on several railroad
and steamer Zines South and West, have an
important bearing and enable our Wholesale
merchants TO greatly extend their trade
into districts which OF late years have
been diiHcult TO reach. Your Board OF Di-
rectors, am happy to testify, has ever been
seady during the term Of its stewardship to
take lively interest and prompt action on
ali subjects affecting tbe trade Of our city
and State, and has not failed to make its
views known to our Representatives in Con-