The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-10
THE BOARD OF TRADE.
Continued from Page I.

as reported. Would II not be well for
this board to take action on this subject
The past year has been one of unusual
and unprecedented depression i'm financial
and mercantile affairs. A relief for the
existing conditions was sought in the
repeal of the silver bill, and an
extra session OF congress was con-
vened by President Cleveland whose
message earned the repeal of the
silver purchasing clause of that act. On
this question the board took early action
and placed themselves on record in favor
OF sound currency, and urged upon con-
gress by resolutions, prompt action rela-
tive thereto. Like action on the part OF
organizations of the character OF our own
throughout the country has put us into
closer relations with them i'm the inter-
change OF resolutions on this subject.
For your kindness extended me as your
presiding officer for the past syear and
courtesy OF election for another year, i
thank you. The success and growth of
our organization is not alone the work OF
the officials. IL requires the earnest and
hearty cooperation OF the individual
members, and this l bcspeak of you in
this new year upon which we are now
entering. And may VS. not hope that
the dark cloud of depression, which has
covered US the past year, may be replaced
during this new year with the bright
sunshine Of prosperity
Other Business.
Samuel w. Nicholson was elected to
membership.
A communication was received from
Vice President McAuslan, who introduced
the resolutions urging action by the
board Of trade in influencing the Consoli-
dated railroad to extend the terminus of
the Bristol railroad to the business
center, saying that he was obliged to be
absent.
Governor Brown said that this line was
a connecting link with the northwestern
section of Massac husctts, and he empha-
sized the advantages OF the trade i'm that
section to the city of Providence. He was
heartily in favor OF the resolutions and
trusted they would be endorsed by the
board.
President Peirce stated that the discus
sion OF this subject was not confined to
the members of the board. 1t was open
to the public.
A. M. Gammell supported the resolution.
He referred to the permancncy of the
population on the east side of the bay and
its vital interest in the development
and extension OF the road. They
were brought habitually to Provi-
ence, being a quiet, steady going class
of citizens of the old New England
type and not affected by the
fluctuations which manufactures
and business necessarily involve.
The situation in southwestern Massachu-
setts is improving and will be
a large contributary character to
the maintenance of the road
and the development of the business in
terest. Of the city. The extension across
the tristol ferry was promising,
and there is foundation for
the belief that this extension
will be furthercd, for there is will and
disposition which, il rightly directed, will
tend to its prompt and adequate consum-
nation.
q. $. Anthony, president OF the execu-
tive committee of Bristol county citizens
on railroad extension, addressed
the meeting. He opened with
q sketch Of tho inception of
the movement for the extension eight
years ago and the relations of the rail-
roads. He referred to the negotiations
with the Old Colony and Consolidated
roads who had obtained privileges in the
city for which millions would have been
demanded and obtained in other sections
OF the country. Mr.. Anthony continuing
said:
The time occupied in reaching our
trains by horse or electric cars or by
busses, which we have been compelled to
substitute recently, is equivalent to
n ten or twelve mile run
by train and the expense is
nearly as much. Some of our trains come
from Warren to Providence, distance of
II miles, in 10 minutes, while 20 minutes
are consumed in covering the tedious
mile to and from the depot in this city.
Our neig and friends have begun TO
pack and TO move away in dis
gust. We see our property de-
preciate for want OF reasonable facilities.
Gentlemen: last year there were more
than 5000 passenger trains and more than
1900 freight trains run over this little
Bristol road, which at 81 per train
gives us $4,000, and when we tell you
Lhst many of the daily trains required two |
to collect the fares from the |
i've and six crowded passenger coaches,
Il will not be difficult to believe that the |
receipts were more than ten times the |
igures mentioned. But we do not |
lsk this extension for the benefit |
,f the patrons of the Bristol road |
alone. They know it and you know that |
,he cities of Fall River, New Bedford |
Ind Old Newport, tho most famous sum-
ner resort in this world, and the towns of |
riverton, Little Compton, Portsmouth
md Middletown, with an aggregate pop
ilation of nearly two hundred thousand |
,eople, patrons OF Fall River and New
bort, New Bedford and Warren railroads,
ire all interested in this movement.
We have asked only for the fulfllment OF |
original promises i'm carrying out the
'riginal plans to extend the road to Mar
ret Square at grade or otherwise. They |
iave the right to do this work and they |
,ave he plans and have made the promises.
IL Is true that these gentlemen have
lever been Of much service TO us of this