The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-11-18
Pensacola Shipping Convention

The convention of the American Ship
ping and Industrial League met in Pen
sacola on the 10th inst, and was called to
order by President L. NJ Merritt of the
Pensacola Board OF Trade.
A permanent organization was effected
by the election of the following officers ::
President-Joel P Walker of Meridian, Miss.
Secretary-Goldsmith b. West, of Birmng-
ham, Ala.
Vice Presidents-Hon. John Martin, of Ala
bama A. K Miller of Louisiana E. Watkins,
of Mississippi; S. r. Mallory, of Florida; James
K. Clark, OF Georgia, and for the States whose
delegates arrived subsequently, Vice Presi-
dents were selected.
Committee Order Of Observation-Disclosures
Cobb of Pensacola. Miller of New Orleans,
Clark of Savannah, Kelly Of Birmingham, Sheri-
dan Of Mobile.
Committee Of Memorial to Congress DR..
Joseph Holt, of New Orleans; George l., Nor
ton, OF New York; DR.. Boland, of Birmingham,
Ala.
Committee on Resolutions-Judge ]. H. Ken
nard, OF New Orleans Forbes, of Jacksonville;
Cameron, of Birmingham Mallory, of Pensacola.
President Walker delivered an eloquent
and forcible address upon taking the
chair.
Gov. Perry entered the hall, and on be-
ing presented to the delegates made a
powerful speech, welcoming the visitors
to Pensacola, and still more when thew
came hitber as men of intelligence to ap-
ply their business ability to so great a
purpose.
n Al. e
| greater interest or importance than the cultiva-
| ton of an increased intercourse with other a.
| tons. To the lack of i! he attributed the labor
| troubles and the stagnation in trade. There had
not been enough consumption for what was
manufactured and produced. The United States
to-day was the greatest manufacturing country
| in the world, and what she needed to relieve
her labor troubles and increase wages was more
| purchasers. This question affected every class
| and industry. ~" Europe, Asia and Africa have
their markets and we naturally turn to our next
door neighbors, Mexico and the Central and
| South American republics, who to-day spend
| yearly $500, 600 900 abroad in goods that can be
| better purchased here than anywhere, and vet
| we get but 18 per cent of that business as COM
| pared with England, France and Germany
| Surely this was wrong and remediable This
| was one of the great questions to which the con-
vention should apply their minds, one which af.
| fects all our country and especially affecting
| Florida with her large gulf coast and beautiful
| harbors.
Conventions alone could not bring about
change. Pressure must be brought to bear on
Congress. We must have our share OF these
$500 900 900. II it be the tariff laws which re-
strict US they must be modified"
Turning to the delegates from Alabama and
louisiana the Governor referred to their iron
and sugar industries RS partially protected and
urged them to unite with the other States in the
establishing of a South American trade. He
did not contend himself that the tariff was nec-
essarily the cause of trouble.
The object of this convention was not alone
transportation, but the removal of all obstacles
to il. He alluded to the miserable share Of the 16
per cent. of South American trade that was car
ried in American ships-not one third of it-apd
impressed upon the delegates the necessity of
considering and discussing this point Com
merce and trade now seek the most expeditions
channels II is not because merchants love rail.
roads that their goods are shipped by rail, but
on account OF expedition. New lines of rail.
road are being constructed 10 gulf ports. These
must be fed, "but," added the Governor we
must say TO these railroads. You shall have
your pound Of flesh, but not one drop Of blood
no one can compare the possibilities of a trade
with two thousand millions of purchasers with
that Of ifty.five millions without perceiving at
once the vast interests at stake" 1 81
de urged the necessity OF determination, and
asked the delegates not to be daunted by diff
cuities, but to resolve firmly to solve the ques-
ton.
The Governor stated he was not much of q
holiday tslker. He believed the convention
meant business. and he cordially rendered to