The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-01-10

| Cr
Rent. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10000
salaries. ....-.....-....-....... 1UV'UO
histories Board Of Trade. 220.25
| Coal, gas and water.......... $40
Repairs. ........--. SeO4
| Stationery and stamps 24I5
Sundrles....-..,'--. ,........'' ,s so.S9
Balance. .............s.....-." i,loo.of -. -
The Secretary, NJ. N. Rich, then read his
| report which was also accepted and ordered
on file. 1t is as follows:
sEcRETARY's REPORT
To the officers and Members Of the Board Of
| Trade:
l beg respectfully to report that there
have been held during the year II meetings
| of the managers and six of the full board I;
| two meetings only adjourned for want Of
| quorum.
$50 persons have been admitted to N ember-
ship. Two have died, viz. f. w. Libby and
VIM. III. w. Bean. Deducting lapse of MEM
bership the board now numbers 5Ol members
against 1876 last year, being the largest mem
bership since 1873. | have received for adj
mission fees, assessments, and from the
Board of Underwriters for use of rooms,
$784.00
The Merchants Exchange has at this time
1888 members on the rolls, (all but two or three
of whom have paid dues Tor the past year,
against II members the year previous.
The receipts from subscription to the Ex-
change have been $1360.00, making my ag-
gregate receipts from all sources for the year
S2144.00 which has been accounted for to the
treasurer.
During the year there have been published
5000 copies Of condensed history of the
work and methods of the board, more than
One-half of which have been alreauy judi
ciously distributed, and have aided together
with the social gatherings at the hotels In
creating greater interest in the Board. and
largely augmenting its m embership.
When we cast about to consider what to
say of the business outlook of Portland to-
day, and remember how many Of our manu-
featuring industries have closed up or nave
gone TO the wall, how much OF our money. is
locked up in railroads, that is not giving
promised results at present; the hitherto ex-
tensive shiptuilding interests OF the port
dwindled to proportions smaller than ever
before in the past hundred years; we cannot
ignore the fact that there is much to discour-
age and dishearten our people; but on the
other hand there are many encouraging signs
that should inspire US with hope and renew
ed efforts.
Our city is still going forward and increas-
ing In trade, in wealth, population and 10
beauty. and her greatness though seemingly
long defer red, must and surely will come at
last.
The general wholesale trade of the city
was never so large as 1t has been the past
year. The grocery trade is holding ON re-
markably well up to the close Of December,
and there have been but few failures and
losses, and prompt payments have been the
rule.
Our great central railroad lines, and steam
ship lines have all moved more goods
throughout this State than ever before. 3d.
000, 900 worth of granite, counting attendant
labor has been quarried and dressed, and
much Of it shipped beyond the borders of
our State
Fifty million feet of lumber has been
shipped from this port to South America
alone, and many other prosperous branchee
but suffice it to say that we have done bust
ness enough the past year to live comfort2-
bly,, pay our bills. and have loaned from our
State S3,500,000 to our poor friends "out
west"
Excepting commercial union there is moth
ing that would SO rapidly increase the bust
nesssof this port now as more storage eleva-
tor capacity. Thousands OF bushels OF grain
would come here for sale and shipment If we
could handle 1t, and we should not rest the
elevator question short Of an accomplished
fact The elevators will bring the grain,
then great ships will come to Portland the
year round.
Respectfully submitted,
NJ. N. Rich, Secretary.
Portland, January 8, 1888.
The port wardens furnished their report.
which was accepted, as follows:
PORT wARDENs' REPORT.
To the Officers and Meubers Of the Board Of
Trade:
Gentlemen Your Port wardens would
submit the following report:
During the year now about to close, we
have visited officially 9S vessels viz, thirty
four (34 steamships, all foreign, and sixty
four ga SAILING an esss sy ~ II
the cargoes Of which were generally landed
in very good order.
The steamships that have arrived at this
port the present winter have all landed their
cargoes In excellent order, much better than
in former years, owing, as we think, to great
er care in slowing and handling the same.
We regret to state that the steamships
have discontinued their trips to this port,
but trust that that arrangement is only tenn
porary, and that they will soon again resume
their regular trips here.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN w. JONES,
JAMES l.. How.
Portland, Jan. Q, 1888.
The meteorological committee reported and
their report was accepted 1t reads az. fol-
lows:
METEOROLOGICAL REPORT.
Some one of the committee from the Board
has made frequent personal inspection of the
United States Signal Station in this city dur
its fixtures and all the instruments neatly
kept and In apparent good order, and the OBJ
server in charge attentive and courteous.
Signals have been promptly and well dis
posted as the system at present would seem
to permit. The committee have heard some
complaints on account OF the too frequent
changing Of signals having the effect to con-
fuse the general public as to render this
part of the service of less value than if a
system once adopted and understood could
be continued. The present system appears
to be simple and an improvement on the pre-
vious code, and it is hoped that no further
change will be made without carefully con-
sidering the disadvantages of educating the
public In new methods either in the system
of signals or of bulletins
The value of this branch of the service is
of great importance to all classes of people.
X X. n snf RTcn. COMMITTEES.
Mr. Henry Fox, from the committee on
nominations, presented the following names
for election for the ensuing year. The Off
GERS nominated were elected. These are the
gentlemen:
OFFICERS ELECTED.
PRESIDENT. X. Babon.
Vice Presidents-J. s. Wnslow, VIM. G.. Davis,
Directors-Geo. W. woodman. Sam. J. Ander-
son. George WalksT . W. :; Dana TIC. Woodbury.
secretary-M. N Rich.
Treasurer-C. s.. F0bes.
Port Wardens-B. w. Jones, j. L. Howe
Mr.. Blabon said he had decided to retire
from the presidency, as he should be obliged
to be away great portion OF the time, but
his friends urged him to stay, and he should
endeavor, being honored with third term.
to do what he could for our beautiful city.
He expressed thanks for the kindly support
of ALL He thought the Board was in pros
porous way and that If every one would work
hard for 1t all would be surprised at the great
results. He also spoke good word for the
Exchange, and hoped soon it would have
better and larger quarters.
Mr.. Fox asked what the. cost Of floating
elevator would be. No one could answer
but Capt Wlnslow said he would ascertain
In New York.
Adjourned
Real Estate Transfers.