The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-16

Sh2AI We wait Tor the visitation OF an
such calamity as came upon us
in 1852, before realizing the Importance
Of this requirement?
RECEIPTS AND EXPORTS.
From the secretary's books I gather
the following figures:
Receipts for year ended April 1st,
1s97-Cotton, 2s2, 204: Spirits. So. s2s:
Rosin, 1872. $40: Tar 5e.sss; Crude. 10. 4s5.
Receipts for year ended LIST April 1896
Cotton, 16f, 2i2: Spirits, 1853, Rosin,
POS. 1877; Tar, 6s,19s; Crude. 1866.
Cotton, increase $780,; Spirits, de-
crease s,625; Rosin. decrease 2,4s7; Tar,
decrease 1854; Crude. decrease 1900.
Exports for year ended 1st April 1897
Cotton. 225,3ls Spirits, H.4i1; Rosin.
211 1892; Tar. 59,1333 Crude, 1929; Lum-
Der 80, PIG, 7S5.
Exports for yea ended 1st April 1896
/ Cotton, 156, 514; Spirits, 1915; Rosin,
$50, 149; Tar, 81, 767; Crude, 1892; Lum-
Der. 3d. 63, 092.
Cotton, increase IS. 800; Spirits, de-
crease 3,774; Rosin, increase q, s43; Tar,
decrease 1894; Crude. decrease 1878;
Lumber, increase 4,055, 693.
These figures indicate what we have
realized for years past in the falling
off Of our naval stores products, but
they also indicate that our cotton pro-
ducing section has been peculiarly for
tunate in having about a full crop at
prices which were doubtless enhanced
by the short crops further south.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The membership should be increased
to about 100. In my opinion there are
hat many business men and others
here who ought to be directly interest
ed and contribute to the expenses of
maintaining the exchange. Let US while
striving to improve our individual in
terests use that business enterprise in
our respective lines which is in evidence
on the part Of our cotton exporters and
fertilizer manufacturers. to the end
that our trade in some other things
may be on a parity with these.
An organization of capital and effort
having for it's object trade with South
America and the West Indies might
prove profitable. I would like to see
it done. The time mi be upon us to
make similar effort for the export trade
in grain and -four. Your committee on
transportation should continue to work
for such equitable freight rates as will
enable us to compete with other mar
kets for the trade of our section.
Your committee on manufactures
should be alert to foster and encourage
any proposition for manufacturing en-
terpriSeS.
The quotation committee should be
diligent, prompt and regular in making
daily quotations, which will give a cor
rect iuea of the value Of every article
quoted.
Your membership committee, I hope,
will work to make up the 100 members
at an early date.
Your arbitration committee will hard
ly ave much to do, judging from the
past.
In conclusion, I know of no necessary
amendment to our present rules, as
all our merchants are working harmo-
niOusly under them.
/ would be remiss not to mention the
lua assistance your board OF man
ayers have rendered to me. and you
can hardly their services too
highly. Colonel Cantwell, our efficient
secretary, has been always faithful to
his duties, and I wish to express my
gratitude to him for his faithfulness
and courteous attention: and for the
kindnes and MANY courtesies which
I hav received from you all I wish
now to make proper acknowledgment.
Upon retiring from office 1 bespeak for
my successor that same consideration
at your hands that 1 have ever receiv-
ed, and wish for the exchange contin-
ued prosperity and increased useful
ness. Respectfully submitted,
OSCAR PEARSALL.
President.
COMPLIMENT TO THE PRESIDENT
Mr.. CIV. Worth offered the follow
ing:
That a vote of thanks be extended
to President Pearsall for his very val
liable and faithful services and for his
instructive repor with the
dalton that the report be spread Upon
the minutes and copies furnished the
daily press"
President Pearsall called. ex-Presi-
dent w. H. Sprunt to the chair and the
above resolution was put by him and
unanimously adopted.
President Pearsall the resumed the
chair and made a few remarks express
ing his appreciation of the sentiments
of the exchange towards him.
TO PULL TOGETHER:
The members of the exchange then
in a general way discussed several Of
the interesting failures Of the presi-
dents annual report. The gratifying
increase Of the trucking interests in
this section were especially discussed
by Colonel Walker Taylor, and Messrs.
w. H. Sprunt, Oscar Pearsall and 9TH
ers.
The matters of freight discrimina-
ton and grain exports were discussed,
and also questions of general concern
to the exchange. Several members spoke
Of the Importance and necessity of
working unitedly in the interest of our
commercial and industrial progress.
The general sentiment was to pull to-
gether in all things.
The meeting then adjourned.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The polls for the election of officers
of the exchange were opened in the
rooms yesterday from IL a. m. to 1 p.
m, and the following result was de-
clared by the inspectors Of election,
Messrs. NJ. j. Corbett. Walker Taylor
and ]. X. Williams, viz:
President-Oscar Pearsall.