St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-29
TRADESMEN IN COUNCIL.
The National Board of Trade Holding
Its Sixteenth Annual Session
in Washington.
The Eastern Members Accused of Desiring
Sectional Legislation-An Animated
Discussion.
The House Desires to Consider the First
Grant Retirement BilI-Other Cap
ital City Matters.
NATIONAL BOARD OF TRADE.

board OF trade assembled in this city to-day
for the sixteenth annual session, Frederick
Fraley, of Philadelphia, presiding. About
forty delegates were present, representing
the Baltimore corn and -four exchange, boards
of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chi
cago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Portland, Or,
and Trenton, Cine nnati chamber Of COM
merce, Boston Merchants association, New
York chamber of commerce and San Fran
cisco chamber Of commerce.
The annual report Of the executive coun-
ell was read. 1t refers specially to the de
preston of the industrial interests of the
country, shrinkage in values, Improbable
character Of production in many branches Of
manufacture, and the general uncertainty of
the markets. 1t states, however, there are
signs that this present period Of depression,
uncertainty and loss is about to give way TO
one Of revived activity and enterprise. The
report deals also with the questions
of fictitious bills of lading, bankruptcy
legislation, interstate commerce, relief of
American shipping, reciprocal trade with
Canada, amendments 10 the national bank
ing Law and foreign commercial relations of
the United States.
Following the reading of the reports, on
motion of s. a. Coviugton, of Cincinnati,
the constitution Of the board was amended so
as to provide for the annual election of one
vice president for every constituent body
represented at the meetings of the board.
The board next organized for the ensuing
year by the election of Fred'k Fraley as pres
ident, and tine election, among others, of the
following vice presidents: Geo. NJ. Howe;
of the Chicago board of trade; s. f. Coving-
ton, of the Cincinnati cham Der of commerce;
Phio Parsons, of the Detroit board of trade;
S VI. Loring, Of the Minneapolis board of
trade; Hon. John T. Miller, of the Sap Fran
cisco chamber of commerce; z. P. BAeman,
of the Milwaukee cham Der of commerce, and
Hon. D. NJ Sabin, OF the st. Paul board Of
trade. ....'.
Following the election of officers the ques-
ton Of amendment Of the present laws relat-
Ing to bills of lading was taken up and dis
cussed at great length.
Mr. Higgins, of the New York chamber of
commerce, asked the board to adopt the fol-
lowing resolution submitted by that cham
Der:
Reso'ped, that the passage of house bill No.
7l63, reported by Mr.. Long, of the committee
on com merce, to regulate the forms Of bills
owners and others, is demanded by the urg-
ent necessities Of commerce.
Mr.. Milne, of Chicago, pointed out the pro-
visions of the bill applied only to the liability
of ocean carriers. he asked il It could not
be amended so as TO include within the pro-
visions, bills of lading originating In the in
terror country and given 10 shippers on
through freight. He said the largest portion
OF the cargoes shipped from New York con-
sisted of this class of freight.
Mr.. Higgins expressed the fear that to at
tempt to amend the bill now would imperll
its passage, and might lose TO them the ad-
vantas cs gained by years of work upon it.
Messrs. Blake and Nelson, Of Chicago.
Messrs. Covingtou, Of Cincinnati, and Mul-
len Of Portland, Ore, took the same ground
as taken by Mr.. Milne. They expressed
themselves in favor of the bill, but wanted Il
amended SO as TO protect the western ship
ping interests. Mr.. Covington said the pass
age of the bill in its present shape would
practically invite the western river carriers
Of freight 10 put into their bills OF ladng the
Objectionable features put in such bills bv
ocean carriers. In answer to the suggestion
by Mr.. Higgins that western river ship owners
are under control of this government, and
that shippers could have recourse TO the
United States courts il imposed upon, Mr..
Covington said the courts are falling under
the influence Of carriers, and particularly Of
railroad men, and that shippers are fast los
ing all their rights.
Mr. Blaze said it was the opinion Of the
Chicago delegation that the bill Is sectional; :;
that it proposes to confer benefits upon the
shipper at seaboard ports, that inland ship
pers cannot take advantage Of. He said the
board IS not in session for the purpose Of
recommending sectional legislation.
Mr. Higgins defended the action Of the
New York chamber OF commerce in recon-
mending the bill, and denied they we're
seeking to obtain sectional legislation. They
have sought, be said, TO remove certain
burdens under which the merchants Of the
sea board labor, and they have not found
western men iaboring with congress TO Sc
cure the enactment Of the legislation which
they now ask should be incorporated in the
bill on which the chamber of commerce had
worked with congress for two years.
Mr. Snow. OF New York, argued in favor
OF the adoption Of the resolution, az recon-
mended by the chamber of commerce with
out amendments, which would DELAY the
progress OF u bill now In q forward state be-
fore congress.
After long and animated discussion the
western men consented TO the adoption
Of the resolution, with the under
standing that another resolution looking
TO the protection Of their interests should
come up for action. This second resolution
was, after several attempts to frame a suit
able one, finally drafted and agreed to unaui-
mously. II is as follows.
Resolyei, That this board favors farther
legislation which will extend to inland car.
riers the principles OF house bill No. 1,I63 to
regulate the form Of bills Of ladiug.
The resolutions in favor of the enactment
Of national bankruptcy Law from Philadel-
phia, Providence, New York and Bridgeport
boards Of trade aud the New York chamber
Of com merce, which were on the official pro-
gramme FOR consideration, were referred for
further consideration 70 4 committee con-
sisting Of Mrssrs. Janney, Miller, Nelson,
Wood and Dymond.
It vas arranged TO have a banquet to-mor-
row night Adjourned until tomorrow.
NOMINATIONS.
The following nominations were sent to
The senate to-day:
Edward A. Kreidler. Of MOntaua, United
States marshal OF that territory; Nicholas II.
OwinEs, secretary Of Washington territory:
registers q land Offices: Geo. A Mckenzie,
stockton. California; Chas. r johnson, Los
Angeles, California; Mark L. Blunt, Pueblo.
Colorado: Henv r. Grifhths, receiver Of
public moneys, Des Moines, Iowa; Robt
Woodbridge, Ohio. Indian agent, Lemhe
agency. Idaho. POstmssters: George {.
DelAvan. Greene, Iowa; John !. Robinson,
Port Clinton. Ohio: z. L. J. Mcclellan. Ma
ron, Iowa; Henry J. Steward, Kstehun,
Iowa.
TIE SIckRAGCAS EEEATT.
The senate closed It's doors and resumed
the consideration Of the Nicaraguan treaty Al
1880 to-day.
Seuator sherman modified bis amendment.
Introduced several DAYS ago. relating TO dis