The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-03-05
BOARD OF TRADE.
Passage of the Resolutions on
Freight in Bond.

An adjourned meeting Of the full Board of
trade was held Saturday morning The at
tendance was the largest this year at sim
liar meeting. Among those present were
Phillip H. Brown, Colonel John NJ. Adams.
John E. Dewitt, E. R. Pierce. Hon. J. W.
Deering, A. A. Strout, ESQ.,, Holman S.
Melcher, Thomas Shaw, Hon. George Wal
ker, l.. A. Goudy, Charles S. Fobes, Eben
Corey, Sidney W. Thaxter and others. Vice
President WinsIow presided.
Secretary Rich stated that the meeting was
called to consider the resolutions protesting
against the repeal of the regulations by
which grain and other merchandise is
allowed to be carried through Canadian ter
ritory in bond, without the payment of duty
on re-entering American territory.
Mr.. Dewitt moved that the following be
substituted for the resolutions before the
meeting:
ResoIved That the Board OF Trade Of the city
of Portland recommends to the members Of Con
gress from the Stale Of Maine that their influence
be exerted to amend the inter state commerce law
by such legislation as Will prevent railroads OF
foreign countries from transacting any business
which is created in the United States and deliver
ed again within its borders. any other terms or
conditions than are imposed upon railroads Of onr
own country.
Vice President Winslow declared Mr.. De
Wits motion out of order and ruled that the
resolutions before the meeting must be con-
sidered first
Hon. George Walker moved that the reso-
lutions have passage.
Hon. John w. Deering moved an amend
ment SO as to make the resolutions more ex-
plicit and include lumber and salted provis-
ON as well as grain. The amendment was
voted and the proper words were inserted
mously, as follows; Z
Whereas interested parties are urging Con-
gress to pass such legislation as viii practically
prohibit the transportation Of merchandise
through Canada between the New England States
and the West, and thereby close up two great
railroad routes over which grain frelghts and
other breadstuffs are brought to New England In
competition with other trunk lines; and,
Whereas, the Dominion Of Canada has, for
many years, permit ID the carriage Of Canadian
merchandise In bend through the territories Of
the United states TO points and ports within the
Dominion Of Canada, by means Of United States
railroads. under similar restrictions as those now
imposed concerning the carriage Of American
products over Canadian railways; and,
Whereas, the now existing facilities and priyi-
eges for the carriage Of freight are, and should
be in keeping with the advanced State Oh tnterna-
tional comfy and OF commercial progress exist
ing between the United States and foreign cOun-
whereas. Notwithstanding great natural:obsta-
cles which during the winter month substantially
shut up the ports Of Canada, the Canadian routes
,bs e mofa % the msDse e nr
ducts Of the West TO the seabOard and especially
are suitable TO the transportation Of dressed
meats, and other merchandise requiring cool
climate to the seabOard, aud have for many years
past been carrying a very large amount OF mer-
chadise to Portland Boston and other seaports on
the Atlantic coast and
Whereas, the facilitIes afforded by the govern
meut for the transportation OF such merchandise
through Canada In bond, whereby such tranSpOr
tation is made possible, has proved highly bene-
fetal to the Western producer By siiording mar
ket for his grain and bread stuifs and 10 the East
ern Consumer by affording him cheaper prOvis-
ions necesaries Of life, and has greatly aided in
the building up, not only OF the West but OF the
New England States and cities, and has given
new impulse to business enterprise, and enlarged
and sustained the commercial undertakings OF
both sections of the country, and
whereas. The cities and business centres of
the State OF Maine especially the city Of Portland
have for many years experienced the dement's
growing out of the facilities Afforded by the
| Grand Trunk railway Of Canada for the transpor-
| tatiOn of bread Stuffs and other merchandise 70
and from the West at reasonable rates, ana -.
at all times regulated freight aud rates OF tran
sportation TO prevent the possibility OF monoP-
| ded greatly TO the commercial growth and pros
| perity Of this city and State, and
/ Whereas, The Canadian Pacific railway has
lust opened up a new route extending across the
| continent and connecting the Pacific coast with
New England States and maritime provinces OF
| Canada and has made railroad connections with
/ Minneapolis and other points In the West where
/ by the commercial prosperity OF both sections OF
the country promises 70 be greatly advanced, and
/ Whereas, The hostile legislation songht, VIII
not only cut off facilities for trade and commerce
/ but will operate in great measure to prevent all
i interchange OF commodities between the two
/ countries, thereby depriying New England and
the west Of market for their products and inter.
i rupted the present condition OF commercial good
i feeling existing between the United States and
| Canada and tends to destroy the commercial re
lations which are alike beneficial to both coun'
/ tries, therefore
/ enactment of any legislation which will deprive
our citizens Of the faculties for transportation o
bread stuff, woods Of all descriptions coming from
| kentucky and other Southern and Western
States, for use transhipment to other ports and
| other manufactures now offered by these greai
commercial highways through Canada and be
| tween the Atlantic sea board and the West, anC
especially protests against any amendment OF ex'
istlng laws for the purpose OF throwing obstacles
in the way Of such transportation and against tht
/ withdrawal of the privilege OF carrying mer
| ehandise OF the United states in bond through
Canada as now practced, and against any action
| which will tend TO obstruet or destroy competi-
/ ton In the transportation OF such merchandise,
and thereby build up monopolies TO the detrmenl
Of the cities ana commercial interests now recey'
i ing the benefits OF free and unobstructed trans
| portatton TO and from the west over Canadian
Resolred, That copy of these resolutions be
i sent 10 each member Of the United States Senate
and House of Representatives from the state Of
| Maine, and one copy to the Honorable Chairman
| of the Senate Interstate Commerce Committee.
Mr.. Dewitt then offered the following res
/ olutiOn:
Whereas, The Portland s Ogdensburg Railroad
i was chartered In February, 1867, and In Fcbrua
/ ry, 1865 said road was authorized to consolidate
| contracts with other roads Incorporated, or here
| after Incorporated in Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont or New York, running norkhweSytery no N,, yI
| toward Niagara river in the state OF New YORK
| or toward Montreal or ottawa In Canada, ana ~
February, 1872, at q public hearing before e. the
| City Council of Portland Gen. Anderson, Hon.
Israel Washburn, yr., Clark H. Barker and Hon
| w. S. Dana ably advocated the necessity ana dc.
STABILITY Of this road, representing that y could
| aid 1t S2,5OO,OOO; and during the same month
| the following named most prominent citizens and
| firms viz.,-Deering, Milliken q Co., q. 4. Jose
i j. H. Hamlen, Emery, Warehouse & Co, G. j.
| Walker & Co., j. w. Perkins 4 Co., w. L. Phil
lips & Co., Norton, Chapman & Co.. A. 4. Stevens
| & Co, David keazer and many others-oyer thelr
signatures In our daily papers, advocated the ab
solute necessity OF the completion OF TINS % Eoad
| pendent outlet TO the West.
| Resolved That this Board protest against any
| action being taken by the president and directors
| or any committee OF said corporation OF Dy tht
City Government Of Portland. looking TO the sale OF
| lease of this road or Of the stock owned by the
~ sneb sale or lease ii shan first be expressly stip
| uated that this road shall be kept open and Oper
ated as part Of a through line to the West, anc
point from the West at rates at all times favor
able as are made by other competing lines between
| the West and Portland.
On motion of Mr.. Brown this resolution
was laid on the table, to be considered at q
| future meeting.
The following resolution was unanimously
passed:
Resolved, That the secretary OF this Board be anc
Is hereby requested to at arrange Tor the mos
| effective and practical method OF directing IN,
| Of Portland for varied industries, our favorable
/ connections with the commerce OF the world, Sc.
that we may II possible cheek the exodus from Oul
/ own doors and invite skilled labor and capita
] within the borders Of our state,