The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-07
TO HUNT THE INOENDTAR1Es.
The Commercial Bodies Denounce the
Cotton Fires.

-
The Commercial Bodies Denounce the
Cotton Fires.
The cotton fires on the steamships led to
many conferences and consultations yes
terday. the first of which was a general
meeting of the members of the Cotton Ex-
change at which the matter was severely
dealt with.
A general meeting of the exchange was
held at y o'clock for the purpose of taking
such action as might be deemed necessary
with regard to the fires. President W. G.
Cam was in the chair and Mr.. ]. p. Mer-
rlhew acted as secretary. There was an
unusually large attendance Of the mem
bers of the exchange. After calling the
meeting to order President Cam said:
THE outbreak of fires on shipboard last
night, involving as it did, no less than
eight foreign steamships, presents one of
the most serious situations this body has
ever been called upon to consider.
1T is a condition that calls for most
earnest consideration by all Iaw-abiding
citizens. Not only does it directly effect
the cotton business of Savannah, but in
wolves the interests of every citizen Of Sa-
vannah.
"The good name of our city is involved
in addition to its business interests In
this emergency, in my judgment, it be-
hooves the citizens of Savannah, without
regard to their business or calling, to act
promptly, actively and energetically. Our
city government should and, believe, will
take every possible step to find the cause
and II hAhoOVes tbern bend pvey.v effort
in this direction. Their efforts to the full
extent of their power will merit and have
the support of every good citizen"
Col. w. w. Gordon, prominent member
of the exchange, then addressed the meet
ing and said.
"Mr. Chairman, since the yellow fever
in 1876 we have not been in such critical
condition as we are now. Then we emerged
from a pestlence which threatened to
obstruct the city's growth by the dread
of recurring epidemics; now we are face
to face with an issue that threatens the
existence of the city itself.
This is a commercial town. Its life
blood is commerce. II its commerce and
the vessels in which it is carried cannot
be protected it will depart, and when it
goes business men will 90 with it, and
wharves and Offices and dwellings, will
lose their tenants and their value.
This exchange has always been in
the front of all movements for the well
fare of Savannah, but now we must avoid
even the appearance of partisans or par
ties in interest. This exchange can prop
erly take action on affairs concerning
the cotton trade, the board of trade in
affairs concerning various other branches
of business, but only the common coun-
Gil can assure to represent the people,
and in extraordinary cases, as now, they
will no doubt recognize that all citizens
of Savannah are entitled to be taken into
conference, and be allowed to assist ceun-
ell by the expression of their sentiments.
This is no ordinary crisis TO be met
by ordinary methods. We pay our taxes
for the support of government, because
in civilized life government assumes to
protect life and property. If government
does net protect it fails to perform its
functions. There is no doubt of the wish
Of our city authorities to give the neces-
sary protection, but if, in doing so, they
feel that they are Endorsed by the people,
they surely will not act less promptly
nor efficiently.
II have. therefore, after cosultation with
members of the exchange, prepared the
following preamble and resolutions, and
now offer them for the consideration Of
this meeting"
Col Gordon then introduced the fol-
| lowing resolutions, which were duly sec
onded and unanimously adopted:
w uGIedst II - iINtNhiblC tLdN ali VI
the eight steamships lying at our wharves
some more than a mile distant from 9TH
ers, caught IRE last night from accidental
causes; and
Whereas, If one or all of these fires
were caused by incendiaries no pains nor
expense should be spared in detecting
and Furnishing the guilty; and
Whereas, Every citizen and owner Of
property in Savannah is vitality inter-
ested in it's commerce, which will be de-
stroyed unless relieved from the menace
| Of incendiarism. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That in view of the issues
at stake, which involve every dollar and
Individual in Savannah, the mayor be
requested to call at the earliest possible
hour a mass meeting of the citizens to
propose and indorse such action by the
common council as BELTS the occasion.
Resolved, That the president and
board of directors of this exchange pro-
coed IN person to deliver the above pre-
amble and resolutions to the common
council, which is to be in session at 1870
p. m. today"
The meeting then adjourned and the di-
rcctors Of the exchange, headed by Presi-
! dent W. @. Cam, went over to the city
exchange where the city council was to
meet at ~ 30 O'Clock. Among those from
! the cotton exchange were Messrs. Blerne
/ Gordon. A. Sybrandt, W. ". williamson
Robert Ellington. H. u. Stevens aud Goo.
| p. Walker. The resolutions adopted by
the cotton exchange were presented 10 the
/ city council and for n while meeting Of
/ tho committee of the whole was held.
After a consultation and general die.,o-
sion with regard 10 tho situation a necf-
/ lnr OF council was hold at which tte
/ resolutions adopted by the cotton ~.
chnnEe were read and Alderman Charlton
| Then introduced the following resolution
| which was unanimously adopted.
Received. That the mayor b. and b.