Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-14

NE 4OilOHlug LeltEfaul WIS rtCclfcO MOI
day by the Merchants Exchange:
NASHVILLE. March u, 1853.
President Board OF Trade, Memphis:
Merchants and citizens met Today and petit
toned the Legislature in opposition to caucus
railroad commission bill, as published in the
american of this morning. Come to our help i'm
mediatey, as bill is new pending in House, and
will be disposed of in a Jew days B,eu,
Secretary Merchants Exchange.
4 meeting OF the Merchants Exchange
wss called 10 consider the above telegram;
alsa, the petition OF President d. P. II adden,
for an appropriation 10 maintain quarantine.
The meeting was called to order by Vice
President Cooper, who announced the OBJ
jects as above stated.
President II adden's petition was Endorsed
unanimously without comment or disCus-
sion, and, on motion, The officers of the Ex-
change were constituted q committee 10 ne
moriali1e the Legislature.
Mr.. w. S. Chase thought that too much
memorial might create the impres sion in
other parts Of the Stale that the movement
was solely in the interest Of Memphis.
Mr.. l.. Hanauer differed on the ground
that all parts of the State were more or less
afflicted during the epidemics OF 1873 aud
1879.
Mr.. j. r. Goodwin thought il unwise to be
continually calling attention to yellow-fever
epid mics. On the contrary We ought t iu-
fuence the impression abroad that We are
exempt from any such visitstions in future,
which he believed 10 be fact 10 our present
improved sanitary condition.
After further discussion that part OF the
matter autherizing the memorializing of the
Legislature was Withdrawn, and the secre-
tary OF the Exchange was directed 10 notify
each member Of the delegation from Shelby
OF the Endorsement Of the petition of Presi-
dent MADDEN by the Merchs ants Exchange.
The telegram from the Nashville Mer-
chants Exchange asking aid of the Mer-
chants Exchange Of Memphis 10 opposition
TO the caucus railway commission bill, was
taken up.
Mr.. McDougal moved, in view of the few
members of the Exchange present, that the
meeting adjourn.
Mr.. J. K. Goodwin thought the matter
worthy of consideration, and went on TO give
details of grievances by railway corporations
and the advantages expected TO be derived
under the proposed bill. He had Do doubt
that good men would be appointed; no
doubt the railroads had done a good deal Of
wrong, but it would not do to legslaie
against them as enemies. He was convinced
if the bill WAS in error at all, il was too mild.
Mr.. Hausuer seconded the motion to ad-
journ for a fuller meeting. The motion was
LOST.
Mr. w. billiard aaid hi. own opinion
was that the passage of The bill would mill
tate against Memphis. The town needed
cheap through rates.
Mr.. J. r. Goodwin offered the following
resolutions;
the establishing a railroad commission, we deem
it i'm portsnt-
Firsf-That, at least Tor the first term of the ex-
istence OF such board, its powers should only be
advisory, and not absolute
Second.-That terminal points, and those having
benefit of water routes should be entitled TO the
benefit OF snch competition and such competitive
rates and this without being subject to any rules
prescribing discrimination.
Third-Ihat the board should have discretion
and railroads be allowed to make rates so as to
foster and promote industrial enterprises in theil
infancy.
Fourth.-That we are earnestly opposed to this
bills now before the Tennessee Legisatu e, which
do not embody these views.
Col. Barney Hughes was called upon. He
said he knew it was considered bard for a
railroad rnan to divest himself of prejudice
He knew that the question of salary fire.
| queatly entered into the matter A for him
no such temptation dwsried his opinion, al
| he had already drawn his salary q month in
| advance. He spoke purely as a member Of
| The Merchants Exchange; that the Law
would work a crest hardship, not only on
the merchants Of Memphis, but on those
| doing business at local stations It made
rates east and west the same. Under this
provision, the freight rates on cotton
and cotton products for New England points
and for export would be advanced, aud the
| prices Of the same would necessarily be re-
duc,d in order to be m arketable. The rail-
roads would have no right to make a spscia
rate for The benefit o. the people, as by doing
50 they would be amenabls to the penalties
OF the law. He thought that a commission
10 confer with the railroad managers and
the mercantile Interests, say for two year,,
would produce a healthy and intelligent
| legislation. He thought that ii was bsC
policy to debar any person familiar with
railroads from serving On the commission
| The State OF Alabama thought ffereutly
and had very able men in lis railroad com
mission. He didn't think that commission
ers should be selecied on the same principle
as jurymep, because they knew nothing
about the case. He thought a frank
full and conservative discussion o
Objectionable features between railroad
officers aud shippers wss the best mod,
for r, gulating grievances; conference of III,
commissioners, railroad mansg rs and ship
pers would produce trinity of thought and
good sense, which must have good results.
Capt. w. n. Brown said he WAS opposed t,
the bill, bu! ii ii was adopted he favored tn
| revolution.
After some further discussion the meetin;
adjourned.