The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-21
CONGRESS- URGED TO ACT.
The Commercial Clubs Resolution on
the Tariff Bill.


Savannah's Business Men-A Lively
Discussion as to the Wording Of the
Bill, but no Difference of Opinion
as to It's Objeot-Fhs Unsettled Con-
dition Of Business Due to the Dila-
tory Action of Congress in the
Opinion of the Business Men.
Strong resolutions were passed at the
social meeting of the Commercial Club
yesterday, expressing the sentiments of
the body upon the delay which has
marked the passage of the tariff bill
through congress, and urging upon the
representatives and senator's from this
state and the members Of congress gen
orally the necessity of immediate action.
The club met in the reading room of
the Pulaski at 1890 O'Clock There was
just quorum present when the meeting
was called to order, but members con-
tinued &c come in rapidly until there was
quite a representative gathering of the
business men of the city The president
and vice president both being out of the
city, the meeting was called to order by
Mr.. w w. Chisholm, one of the board of
governors, who stated the object Of the
meeting and called upon Mr.. s. Meinhard
to take the chair. MIR. Meinhard com
piled and Mr. Chisholm then read the
following resolutions, which he stated he
had prepared at the request of leading
member Of the club:
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The Commercial Club of Savannah, at meet
ing duly held and regularly called foc that
purpose distinctly and emphattcally records
It's earnest protest against the dilatory action
which marks the progress of the tariff bill
pending before the congress of the United
States. This club embraces within it's mem
bershtp men who represent the leading com
mercial and industrial pursuits of this com
munity Its interests are not circumscribed
within the limits OF this city nor within the
great state of Georgia; but the objective pur-
pose OF It's formation was TO advance alike
the material prosperity Of the entire nation.
1t believes that 1t voices the sentiment of the
people of the United States when it says
that the uncertainty attendant upon the
adjustment Of that measure has
caused untold financial embarrassment,
vestment, and has had a general and most
depressing effect on all kinds of material &C
tlylty. The delicate and complicated ma
chinery OF business at this time is not unlike
the condition OF a sick patient who has long
been deprived of the sustaining forces OF
life, and the great financial CONFUSION
WnlCu mas recently swept over This country
has left Its business interests In such a con
dillon that the immediate application OF
restorative remedies Is imperatively re-
qutred. Any concession which would tend
TO efectuate the immediate passage of this
bill would be infinitely preferable to delay at
this crisis; 1t is, therefore
Resolved by the Commercial Club of Savan-
nah, That immediate action upon the tarlrf
bill Is necessary to end the existing financial
depression and embarrassment and to stimu-
late trade to its normal condition. it is
further
Resolved, That the representatives and
senators of the state of Georgia in congress
be, and theyare hereby, requestedto use every
EFFORT to bring about some speedy and definite
action upon this bill; 1t is further
Resolved, That copy of these resolutions
be sent to each OF the representatives and
senators from the state OF Georgia.
DEBATE UPON ITS ADOPTION.
Mr.. Chisholm stated that he submitted
the resolution as embodying the views of
the business men of the city, He said
that he believed that the resolution ex-
pressed the views of the business men,
not only of Savannah, but of the country
generally.
Capt. Blum was the first to speak upon
the resolution. He objected to taking any
precipitate action. He argued that it
should have been printed in the newspa-
pers before being introduced before the
club in order that the members might
have had time TO consider it and be pre-
pared to vote upon it intelligently. Capt.
Blum said he thought the wording of the
resolution unfortunate and that it had the
appearance of debating to congress
Mr.. w. d.. Krenson made strong
argument in favor of the adoption of the
resolution and Of the necessity of imme-
date action by congress upon the tariff
bill. de said there was nothing of a
political character in the resolution 1t
did not ask congress to pass the Wilson
bill, nor the House bill, nor the Senate
bill, nor to let the Mckinley bill remain
where it is. 10 only asked it to do some
thing. The business Of the country is
now demoralized, he said, because of the
uncertainty of tariff legislation. Mer-
chants are unable to make contracts. and
contracts which should have been made
in January or February are still unmade.
They had been compelled 70 withdraw or
ders which had been placed when the
Wilson bill was submitted on account of
the changes in the provisions by the
Senate
EFFECTS OF THE DELAY.
As an evidence of the demoralized con-
dition Of the business of the country Mr.
Krenson read several extracts from re-
cent issue of the journal of Commerce,
well known as a conservative journal. he
said, reporting the demoralized condition
of the wooden, silk, iron and other indus
tries, because of the uncertainty as to
what duties will be fixed by the new
tariff bill on the various products of these
industries. MIR. Krenson said that while
on recent trip north he found many
mills shut down and others run
ming on short time all because Of the
uncertainty as TO the action of congress
upon the tariff At many of the large
jobbing houses which he visited he found
the statesmen at home instead of on the
road business being practically paralyzed
in their lines. As a result of the uncer-
tainty of The action Of congress, Mr..
krenson sand, many large wholesale
dealers were ordering In the smallest
possible amounts because of their I'M
Willingness to make large purchases I'M
till the tariff question is settled.
WANTED TINE TO THINK IT OVER.
Capt. Blum, in reply TO Mr.. Krenson, said
that the members of congress were well
aware OF the condition OF affairs in the
country. The newspapers kept them in-
formed upon the subject, he said He
urged that it was not fair to spring such
a resolution without having given the
members chance TO consider 1t.
Mr.. krenson said that the trouble was
there was too much talk and too little
action in congress. The idea,of the reso-
luton was To start the ball rolling and to
get commercial bodies all over the coun-
try TO urge congress to action.
MIR. l'liShOlm said nthaf what