The Republican journal., 1896-01-23
Belfast Board of Trade.
MEMBERS THOROUGHLY ALIVE FOR NEW
HOTEL AND SHOE FACTORY.

MEMBERS THOROUGHLY ALIVE FOR A NEy
HOTEL AND SHOE FACTORY.
A special meeting of the Belfast Board o
Trade was held at the Police Court room il
Memorial building Monday evening, Jan
Goth, and action taken looking to the ma
terial improvement of the city in severa
directions. The call for the meeting includ.
ed in the business the election of officers
but this was passed over and the old board
will hold for another year.
The first matter discussed was the project
of hotel to supply the want caused by the
destruction of the Crosby Inn.
The President, Mr.. A. C. Sibey, believes
that Belfast must have hotel, and advocat
ed moving as soon as possible to secure one
Mr. j. f. Wilson advocated going to work
at once. We should have new hotel and
one can be built now cheaper than few
months later. He thinks hotel would nav
better in some down town location than on
the Crosby lot.
E&-Mayor VIM. B. Swan agreed with Mr.
Wilson as to the need of a hotel and the ne
cesslty OF getting one as soon as possible.
EX-Mayor Charles Baker said he had no
business interests here to be benefited bv a
hotel, but for the interests of the city is will
ing to contribute towards the enterprise.
We all see the need of tirst-class hotel
now. He believes in building on the old
site and continuing under the old name
"Crosby Inn" He knows of outside parties
who will take stock in hotel here.
VIM. I'll. Quimby, assistant treasurer of the
Belfast Savings Bank, thinks the place to
build is the old lot. He stated that so far
as he knew the holders of the mortgage of
the old company would be willing to let the
insurance money 60 towards paying for a
new building on the old site, when the build
ing shall be completed, and continue the
loan under the old mortgage.
Ex-Mayor VIM c. Marshall thinks we
must have hotel, and believes in restoring
the Crosby Inn with the same general de-
sign as before. He suggests that a new
company be formed to buy the old stand.
The question is, have we the public spirit to
put our hands in our pockets, build this
hotel and not expect it to prove a per cent.
Investment?
Z. b. Hall believes we should have hotel
and will do all he can towards that end.
Joseph Williamson, Esq, believes we
should have hotel equal to the Crosby Inn
Mr.. D. B. Southworth stated that he be-
lieved that for general business travel a
downtown hotel would pay better, but for
the summer travel the Crosby lot is prefer
able.
On motion of j. F. Wilson committee
consisting of Messrs. Charles Baker, C, B.
Hall and d. B. Southworth was appointed
to investigate as to the cost of the Crosby
lot, and of building hotel, the prospect of
leasing hotel to reliable parties, of finding
other locations providing the Crosby lot is
not available, and other matters in relation
to a new hotel, and report at an adjourned
meeting.
In regard to bringing some new manu-
featuring enterprise to Belfast, President
Sibley stated that the firm of which he is a
member, Critchett, Sibley & Co., is not op-
posed to the movement. On the contrary,
they will welcome to our city any manufact-
uring enterprise, whether of shoes or other
goods, that will advance the interests of the
city.
Mr.. G. 8. Hall suggested that as the Dana
Sarsaparila building can now he bought for
a reasonable price, that syndicate be form
ed to raise the necessary funds to buy the
building, and that merchants and others
who feel interested in bringing manufacture
ing enterprises to the city, contribute an
nually the small sum necessary to guarantee
per cent interest ON the investment, the
syndicate to give the rental of the building
to any Concern that will employ given
number of hands.
Several members spoke briefly on the sub
ject, all favoring Mr.. Halls plan.
After brief discussion by Ex- Chief En-
gineer F. II. Welch, Mr.. Albert NJ Carter
Capt. Baker and others in regard to the re-
sponsibility for the care of the fire hydrants,
the meeting adjourned for one week, the
secretary to give notice of the same through
the local papers and invite all interested to
attend.