The morning call., 1893-01-18
Meeting of the Chamber of
Commerce.
HISTORY OF THE PAST YEAR.
Various Resolutions and Memorials on
Subjects of Interest Presented
and Adopted.

secretary haynes feaU MS a0nua report
which showed that the membership is now
80, comprising the leading mercantile
firms, banks aud insurance companies in the
city. Four deaths had occurred during the
year. six members resigned and ten new
members were elected
The reports Of the nominating and cleo
ton committees were submitted and fled.
The president read his report in which
be said:
The foriy-tnIrd year In the history Of this
chamber has been one OF varied prosperity Ia
The many important interests OF The city and
State Our city has been fairly prosperous from
a commercial standpoint, and has It's usual
eady, sure growth.
Throughout the State the agricultural interests
have met wiki encouragement IN many direc-
Hons. The frutt-grOWets generally nave en-
eminentiy successful. while on the other hand,
the farmers who produce our greatest staple,
wheat, owing 10 the prevalence OF low prices
and more especially the excessively oppressive
raie of freight from the farm 10 the seaboard.
have not met With the encouragement that Ihey
merit and deserve.
our changed condition. commercially, during
late years, owing to overland transportation to
many sO-calied competitive points, compel tile
San Francisco merchants 10 look for some
cheaper mode OF transportation or 10 lose tie
commercial importance OF the city. l glad
10 congratulate you on change IN this direction,
whereby our merchants may be enabled 10 e
cover much trade that has been lost, as well as
10 push their tIade into new neids.
New lines OF sailing vessels have been estab-
lished from Eastern ports, and merchants are
again looking 10 lie natural route Of tTanSpOr-
fatiOn from Eastern markets, rs well as 10 them.
That San Francisco VIII retain It's great COM
meTeial importance and pFe-eminenCe Is cer-
faiDiY assured, but 10 must be by virtue or its
position at one OF The gateYays OF the commerce
of he world. Steam INES ana our m fchantS
must encourage transportation by the VOL Id s
great highway IN every manner possible II they
eNDeCt 10 regain trade because Of lower trans.
an n 2 l.
road rates must at best be high when the dis
lance and cost OF maintaining them IS con-
ceded. On the other hand transportation rates
by sea Will always De reasonable II Inc pafttes
engaged I'm The business are literally supported
ADD competition encouraged.
And While We have right TO expect much
from the Nicaragua Canal, which now seems
almost as ured within q reasonable time. very
encouragement possible should be extended To
sailing vessels as well as steamers, as 10y reason
OF the leSUlar and frequent communication OF
the LATER VIII be enabled not only 10 Increase
our through business with Eastern ports, but en-
courage the trade with Mexico aud Central
America. Tie latter, l am glad 10 say, Is rapid
~ increasing and must be an important adjunct
TO The trade Of san Francisco. THIS steam
traffic must and VIII receive great stimulus by
the opening OF the IehuaUtepeC Railroad during
The coming year as we are assured that railroad
VIII be Kept clear OF entanelnG alliances, and be
operated IN tie interest OF the commerce OF the
world.
He referred to the delay in the completion
mended that action be taken TO compel the
owners Of the water front belt railway to
carry cut the objects of its construction in
affordiug facilities for rapid and cheap
delivery Of freight to the east and interior.
with the exception of Sonoma and Hum
boldt counties.
The necessity for the construction of a
properly designed ferry building had long
been apparent, but there was no necessity
for issuing 100000 bonds to build il, as
there was S312, 35S in the harb0r improve
ment fund on January l. BE hoped that a
vigorous policy would he pursued by the
commissioners in the future.
Harbor Notifications, Improvements in
lighthouses and other matters were also
touched upon.
r. G. Sheath moved that the report be
received and printed, and the recommends
tiOns therein be tie sense Of the meeting
which was agreed TO.
A resolution was submitted favOring the
prompt repeal Of the Sherman bill as q
notification 10 European nations that in
declining to aid In the rehabilitation Of
silver equally with the United States they
must accent the responsibility and results
OF their discrimination against IL.
Robert BafouT denied that England had
Disseminated against silver and moved
that that part Of the resolution be stricken
cut.
Captain Merry seconded the amendment
as r matter Of form, but contented that at
the monetary conference iG had been tile
policy Of European nations TO throw the
Onus upon the United States.
The amendment was lost and the resolu-
ton adopted.
a memorial to the Senate and House of
Representatives was adopted, urging that
the Government should no longer delay In
enacling such legislation as will place the
quarantine service at the seapGrts OF the
HI aar fa ana oFf~ 81 oF
the General Government. Prompt action
was urged IN view Of ne probable advent oil
Asiatic cholera from European ports dur
ing the ensuing summer and at a time when
the Worlds Exposition at Chicago renders
pTecauti0n specially necessary.
A memorial strongly urging the Senate
and House Of Representatives 10 adopt such
legislation as would restrict the immigra-
ton Of pauperS and criminals and all
European immigration, for such period at
least as would secure the people If the
United States against the advent of Asiatic
cholera, was submitted and adopted.
Stewart MenZIes submitted the report OF
the committee on the establishment OF a
trainug-ship aud draft Of bill 10 be pre-
scented to The Iegisat
The bill provided hat the Governor shall
ask and obtain from the General Govern
ment a vessel suitable 10 be used as a train
iBg-ship and large enough to accommodate
90 be made for the first two years and that
the ship shall lie under the control of six
commissioners, three to be appointed by the
Governor and three by the president Of the
Chamber of Commerce.
Exception was taken by Arthur r. Briggs
to the appointment Of three commissioners
by the president on tie ground Of being I'M
constitutional.
c. L. Taylor got over the difficulty by
moving that three of the commissioners be
recommended by the President, which was
adopted.
The report and bin were then passed.
The committee on signal service in its re-
port stated that there had been decided
Improvement in the service since its trans
ference to the Agricultural Department,
and that all the instruments of the local
weather bureau in charge Of 2. Z. Jenkins
were in excellent condition. The report
also referred to the need of a cable to the
Farallon Islands, which might possibly be
made an adjunct to the Hawaiian and Aus
tTalian cable.
a resolution cordially approving the bill
and fayOTing its passage by Congress fixing
the pay OF the letter-caTrlers as follows:
first year $500. second year $500, third year
$1,000, fourth year 5000. was on motion of
Captain Merry referred to the trustees with
power to act.
A resolution urging upon Congress the
necessity Of adopting legislation to secure
the laying of an ocean cable between the
coast Of California and the Hawaiian
Islands and Australia via the Samoan
Islands and New Zealand was adopted
K. q. Sheath protested against the ap-
pointment by the Governor Of men from
the interior Of the State on the Board Of
HaTbor Commissioners as reward for
political services, and who were untitled
for the position. He offered resolution TO
that effect.
The resolution was strongly opposed by
the president Arthur r. Briggs. Hugh
Craig and c. L. Taylor.
Mr.. Sheath amended the resolution by
taking the sting out oil it, but motion that
II be laid on the table was carried.
This concluded The business and the
meeting adjourned.
TiciHese Not in 1t.
"Mr. Bacigalupi, who is taking a deep in
terest in the matter Ct having the license of
street musicians and organ-grnders raised,