The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-18

member though n gentleman Of unim-
peachable character was rejected on p
technical excuse. DR.. Grosvenor heard
OF the matter and was highly indignant.
lie considered 1t an affront TO his dignity
as the gentleman happened to be a friend
OF his. lie consulted with a few men
versed IN parliamentary law aud as a
result laid out a plan of action. The
next IN citing found the old doctor
present and ready. At mis- side sat a
gentlemen TO aid him III necessary.
Scarcely had the meeting opened when
he arose and moved to reconsider the
vote whereby the proposed member had
been b~lackbailed. The members present
were staggered for a moment, but they
soon suggested TO the chair that such a
vote could not be reconsidered. The
doctor was ready with his reply. He
took up his Gushing (unabridge9) on
parliamentary law n read the state
ment that in bodies not governed by any
rules any motion ~ In order at any time
and can be adopted by a vote OF the ma
jority OF "a quorum present. "But.n
said one OF the technical directors, "vou
can't make "A motion TO reconsider. You
we're not present when the original vote
was taken"
That doesn't make any diff reno o."
explained tue doctor. when we have
no rules we eau do as we please.n
j mes ii. Chace, who was the presi-
dent, saw the force of the arxume Mt and
tie motion was put and carried. Then
DR.. Grosvenor exclaimed his position in
re gard To the candidate aud the latter
was elected to membership at once.
1t is scarcely necessary to note hat a
set or rules was 500 prepared. They
were adopted in 1881 and have governed
the meetings since. This was ia the
nrst year OF the presidency Of Charles
new quarters again had come many new
Ders and an awakening of activity
in practical matters concerning the
welfare OF the community. One
OF the most important questions
considered arose in March of
The tax on English shipping is L per
cent. only, and that Is a national tax.
But American shirc. sailing TO foreign
countries were subject to a national tax
or L per cent, and "A state tax in that
state where they are owned. The Board
OF Trade recognized the injustice of this
extra tax. and the extra burden that it
imposed on American ship owners. A
memorial was drawn up ald presented
to the general Assembly, asking that the
state tax be removed. The general as
sembly VAS favorably disposed. Royal
Z. TAFT, then a membe from Providence,
drew up a suitable bill, aud 1t passed
without opposition.
1t Is believed that In its action upon
this subject Rhode Island led all the
other states OF the union, most Of which
have since adopted a law substantially
the same as ours. That too was the
period at which there seemed to be evil
dence OF a moro liberal national spirit
toward shipping, and the Board of
Trade prepared aud sent to Washington
a set OF resolutions asking that more
liberal contracts be made with Amer can
ste llnships carrying the mails, aud tn It
"a more equitable system or taxation be
devised whereby our merchant marine
should not be burdened with greater
taxes than ships of other nations. Out
OF this agitation in 1888 grew the Ding
ley bill, which as yet mas not been adopt
ed. More liberal contracts however have
been made with foreign steamships.
Tue national spirit then beginning too
undoubtedly formed the ,basis upon which
u splendid navy was started.
Side by side with wa.er portation
came the need for greater railroad facili-
ties. Business men wanted accommoda.
lions offered 50 that they could leave
here late lii the afternoon and ar rive in
New York the sa ne evening. Al the
requesG OF the board a train was put on
leasiIg here at 4 p. III. 1t was called the
Board Of Trade train and offered sub
stan tally tue same service as the gilt
edge" offers now.
Bankruptcy Any member of the
Board OF Trade who is not acquainted
with that word AS u whole, with its
meaning and with each separate 81 liable
must ha We become a member witnln the
last few weeks. Inc Board of Trade b.
gan TO dis uss bankruptcy officially on
Jan. IL, 1868, when tyN as only 5 lAonths
old ana now that "a tull quarter OF a cen
fury has passed IL is still discussing
bankr uptcy. and 1t IL more THAI proba-