Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-15


Chamber appointed a mos, influential
committee with instructions to petition
decided action on the part OF the city
council In relation 20 the matter, and
iatcr, In compliance with an Invitation
from tho Council 10 submit recommenda-
Tons, the Chamber. through It's Commit
tee on Health. urged q scientific inyesti-
cation OF these health questions by ex-
pefts OF national reputation. While the
Council has not seen III TO adopt this
course. which. II carried out would set
az rest many disputed points. II is be-
heved that good has been accomplished
Tor having directed more attention TO this
Important subject. Since many have at
tributed our apparent high death rate to
the alleged ifnpuriiy Of our drinking
water. II IS curious TO note that some OF
the cities which are reported In these
health statistics as having the highest
death rate have the reputation OF having
the rurest and best waters Of any cities
In the country Actual tests have de-
monstratcd that our drinking water is
exceptionally pure and wholesome. and
until the contrary is established our city
ought not 10 continue 10 suffer in tho fu-
turc. az II has done In the past from the
charge that our drinking water IL un-
healthy. As german TO this subject the
Chamber was largely instrumental last
year In securing tho reorganization 81
the state Board Of Health in Virginia
ana there being no provision in the law
authorizing the creation Of this board TO
n Get iis expenses. the Chamber raised by
subscription as large n sum as was then
practicable 10 inauguratc the work of the
board
THE SHERMAN BILL REPEAL
Feeling the necessity for PROMPT action
% s.f -.
rchasing clause Of the sherman bin
early iu July last additional resolutions
L. adopted by the Chamber urgently
requesting our senators 10 vote for this
repeal. and on July 2G.h large and in
nuenfial delegation was sent TO Washing
Ton 10 confer with them upon the sub
Jtct a convention of commercial bodies.
subsequently held in Washington 10 adj
Nocaie this REPEAL was also attended by
rom scntatives Of tho Chamber.
\ report Of our Committee on Ranks
ana currency recommending the repeal
OF N" tax on State-bank issues Of cur
roncy. and advocating the issue of ma
uonal-bank notes for the fun par value
of government bonds deposited as the
basis 81 circulation Of national banks. was
adopted
Impressed with the Importance Of the
eorliDst possible decision of the tariff quos.
lion, an earnest appeal from the Chamber
was recently addressed 10 our Virginia
Senators and Representatives invoking
tnoir influence IN behalf Of prompt legls-
l1tion upon this question
For the third time. at the last meeting
Of the General Assembly. the Chamber
was endorsed and prepared to support a
~ ITO regulate preferences among crcdi-
tors ana 10 prevent fraud being perpe-
trdted by debtors" the bill for this pur-
pose having been offered by Mr.. Randolph
Harrison, Of Lynchburg. This measure
lk" those previously offered. il is believed.
failed 10 become a law for the reason
that it was not brought forward early
enough In the session 10 he reached on
the calendar 1t may. therefore. be well
for tho commercial bodies SO deeply in
tcIcSted IN this question to endorse and
unite upon this bill or a similar bill. 50
as 10 act more promptly at the next sos-
sion of the Legislature.
Tho Chamber, as the principal organize
ton representing the business interests Of
the community. c0-Operatcd with the Bar
y ISOLATION Of Richmond I'm "a successful
effort 10 have the new Court Of Law and
Equity established. very valuable ac-
QUESTION To tho tribunals Of the city.
THE OYSTER CONVENTION.
\ well-attended and representative con
yeufion from different sections Of tho
state 60 consider the oyster question was
hCil January IT, 1885,, under the auspices
OF The Chamber. and most interesting anc
valuable Information ELECTED. having
doubtless a decided influence In securing
several important changes in the laws
bearing upon this valuable resource of the
state.
The proposition 10 have an Exposition
next fan. under the auspices Of the Viz
giuia Agricultural and Mechanical SO
ciety was endorsed 10y the Chamber and
through its Committee on EXpOsitions il
c0-opcratcd IA raising the necessary
gualantee fund for the purpose Of insur-
inS this Exposition; il has also. through
its Committee on Inland Trade, taken
timely steps whereby rates for passen-
gers and exhibits. entirely satisfactory
10 the Executive Committee Of the Agri-
cultural Society. were secured from oui
various transportation companies.
The Chamber has also recently endorsed
the Cotton states and International EX-
position t. be held in Atlanta in 1895. an
occasion Of special interest TO Southern
States. and when and where it is hoped a
cr,ditablc exhibit viii be made of the
products and resources Of this section.
The subject Of immigration in some o.
It's most important aspects has been re-
Gently brought 20 the attention Of M
Chamber I'm communication from Colo
nl j =. Fitzgerald. Of Farmvlle, Va.
addressed to the President Of the Cham
Irr. and a report of the Committee OF
Agriculture and immigration. submitting
a number Of recommendations, mas beer
adopted and published Among them tn
suggestion that convention be called
by the Agricultural Society IN our as
scmbly-room.
JAMES-RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
The substantial progress made in I'M
proving the channel of James river wa
recently explained to the Chamber b!
Major Whtcomh, resident engineer o
tine Jamcs-river Improvement. and illus
trated by models of certain sections o
this Improvement. followed by an inspec
ton tour for its members down the rive
on the steamer Pocahontas. kindly ten
dered by the Virginia Navigation Com
pany. These instructive ana enjoyabl
occasions il is hoped, Will serve to arOus
"a deeper interest i'm this most importan
work. The improvement of this chanael
while very material. has not made. 70
the want of larger and more Ttgull
appropriatiOns, the rapid progress de
taanded by the needs Of commerce. II
secure such appropriations tIc SuSrcStlDl
is made that the Chamber should pa
forth its best efforts to have tn James
river Improvement put upon the sunir.
civil-serylce bill, and in view Of the fac
that a more extensive harbOr or docl
VIII he required upon the completion o
his work To accommodate vessels o
deerer draught, il is probably no To
aoriv 10 begin to seriously consider III
Question Of some material improvement
In our port facilities.
Referring to the Nirg mia Navigation
COMPANY. ! congratulate our people, ant
those along the line Of the James rive
between this city and Norfolk. on the i'm
rroyed facilities for the transportation
nf passengerst and freight on this line
Nqnv of the most historic and interesting
,,l,.es in the whole country are imme
d,,tciv on this route. and the spirit o
ENTERPRISE and Improvement Which cha
racterize the present management OF TIL
c,ropanv must attract large numbers I
,is,t tbrse points, and IN this and othe
vavs enhance the values of property con
tiguous to this route.
STEAMERS to- BRAZIL
The question OF a steamship line IRON
Nevport News to Brazil has recentl'
been the subject of conference between
Mr. ". 4. Townes. United states Cohsui
General to Brazil, and committee o
The Chamber In conjunction WIN IN
n,osident of the Southern wholesale Gro
-, hssociatfou and the authorities o