The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-30
Chamber OF Commerce.
SPECIAL REETING-ADDREss OF TIE BOARD
TU THE RICHMOND MERCHANTS AND MANU-


A special meeting OF the Board of Direc.
tors OF the Richmond Chamber of Com
meree was held yesterday afternoon in their
ROOMS e. o. Nolting, Esq, president, in
the chair. Present: Messrs. BIankenship,
Potts, Rogers, Williams, Watkins, Dunlop,
Spots, Seldom, and Hawes.
The Chair stated that Mr. Hill was absent
from The city, and that hir. Levy was ab-
sent on account OF sickness.
The Chair stated that the meeting had
been called specially to consider an address
prepared by Mr.. Charles q. Williams, at
the request Of the Board, ut its last meet
ing.
Mr. Williams then submitted his address,
which was read as follows:
10 the Merchants and Manufacturers Of
Richmond:
A number OF the merchants and manu-
facturers OF the city, believing that organi-
zation and unity OF action were indispensa-
bic to the Iul protection and development
Of the commercial and manufacturing in
teresls Of Richmond, associated themselves
with view to collect and preserve statisti-
cal information connected with these pur-
suits to establish uniformity in the com
mcrcial usages Of the city: to settle differ
ences speedily and without litigation, and
to promote The general progress and pres
periiy of the community.
To this END they procured q charter for
'sTbe Richmond Chamber OF Commerce."
under which they adopted q constitution
and bylaws, and have been for some years
diligently working, with bui poor encour-
agemcnt save in the consciousness OF hay
inc accomplished much good.
They regret that they are now compelled
to appeal to the business public for the only
kind Of assistance OF q permanent and yalu-
able chaTacter-namely, q largely increased
membership.
Out OF Il population of nearly eighty
thousand, all OF whom depend directly or
indirectly upon trade, our Association
shows membership OF less than one hun
drcd. from which an annual income is de-
rived OF ten dollars per member, much less
than is necessary for effective work, for
although no salaries arc paid to any officer
except to the secretary and his assistant,
there are expenses for room-rent, fuel,
lights, stationery, printing, and postage,
which are unavoidable.
We need new members not only for the
sake of income, but that we may have the
trade OF the city more largely and intclii-
gently represented.
Every branch OF business should have 4
large representation in the Chamber OF
Commerce, that its peculiar interests may
have the active and Jealous service Of L
corps Of intelligent members. whose con-
duct on our committees and in our meet
ingS would be sure to advance those'inter-
ests and bring about harmonious and profit
able relations with other branches.
The labor and expense incident to our
undertakings for the public good fall now
too heavily on few, but with larger MEM
berShip both would be distributed so as 20
be bat little burden npon any.
The Board OF Directors earnestly appeal
to all OF the present members to exert
themselves in the effort to increase the list
OF our subscribers. and TO all who are not
members, and who feel an interest in .hc
good OF the city, at once TO become so.
Mr.. Rogers, addressing himself TO the re-
port, said he approved OF every word it con-
tanned, and moved that it be unanimously
adopted.
Agreed to.
On motion OF Mr.. Williams, the address
was referred to 4 special committeeap appoint
ed short time ago to solicit members, con-
r-as I,,.o-.>uS,.,l.,- ~-.~ss--.
and Claiborne Watkins, with authority to
print the same and to send copy to our
merchants and manufacturers.
On motion OF Mr.. Williams, Mr.. Andrew
Johnston was elected member OF the Cham-
ber OF Commerce.
Various papers were read and flied, or re-
ferred.
TIE question of the contract between the
Clydes and the Old Dominion Steamship
Company was discussed at length and finally
tabled.
Adjourned.
BRIEFS AND PERSONALS. S.-Cantaln George
D. Wise, who has been to Baltimore, and
John Bell Bigger, who has been to Giouccs'
ter, have returned to the city.
At the late election, with only one dis
sentine vote, the people OF Alexandra
county determined TO authorize an increase
OF taxation Of about 40 cents on the 500
| for school purposes. This is the only county
which under the law votes on school taxes
| In other counties the boards OF supervisors
act.
The Bond Guard, OF CatoEsvi|lc, Mary
land, have been granted leave hy Governor
| HoIliday to enter the State with arms, tt
participate in the dedication OF the Confcde
rae monuments at Winchester June 9th.
The Governor has refused to grant par
don 10 Willis Shelton, who WAS convicted
in the County Court Of Gnoch'aId last Apri
OF larceny, and sentenced TO three years II
the pcnitcntary.
The cost to the Common wealth OF th'
| PoindeXtcr trial amounts 10 the round sun
OF S76.12. The cost Of the Baccigalup'
trial was $12S.79.
The coored men yesterday presented t.
the Judge Of the Hastings Court petltlol
asking that duly-qual!tied citizens OF thel
race be allowed to be drawn rs jurors IL
that court. The Judge will give his answe
in writing hereafter.
City-Auditor Royster has been sick som
days, but is now improving.
Mr., John Wren returned to the city LIS
night from Baltimore.
THE DAVIS RAIL-WATER EXCURSION IT.
| WAsHINGToS.-To-m night Mes$rS