The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-13

had booked large parties Of visitors
from Baltim ore, Philadelphia, Wash
ington, atlanta, Nashville, ard other
cities.
p. e. Manning. Esq, spoke of tho
necessity of securing homes for the re-
mainder of the delegates, and urged
prompt work on the part Of the COM
mittees.
Mr.. Borden also spoke OF the same
lire, and upon his motion the secretary
Tas instructed to address communica-
tons to the pastors Of the various
/ churches n urge them to appeal to
their congregations to open their home
to the delegates and maintain Whining
| tons reputation for hospitality.
On motion Of Mr.. Borden the secre-
! tary was instructed to prepare at once
| a. folder or card containing matter Of
interesting points about Wilmington to
be sent out to the delegates.
| Mr.. Manning said that the convention
| headquarters had been opened IN the
! rooms of the chamber and they would
| be kept open every day from low till
| the convention closes.
| President Chadbourn informed the
chamber that Captain John W. Harper,
of the steamer Wilmington, and Presi-
dent Geo. r. French, of the Whining
ton Seacoast railroad, had kindly offer
ed to give free trips to he delegates
1 WHO UeSlTeu u WISH SdIoiiIld bedCl II
Wrightsville Beach.
The Rev. w. 3. Oliver read a letter
| from the Rev. J.. K. Adams, pastor of
the Baptist church at Southport, in
viting h delegates to dinner there on
the 10th Of May, as the guests of the
! people Of Southport.
The president gave out a request for
all the home seeking committees to re-
port to Colonel Taylor IN Monday
afternoon.
President ChadbOurn read the follow
ing timely communication
Wilmington, N. c., April 1, 1897.
Mr.. James H. Chadbourn, Jr., President
Wilmington Chamber of Commerce,
City:
Dear Strive respectfully ask your
attention to the fact that since the
deepening of the Cape Fear river and
bar, there is not sufficient space in the
harbor at Wilmington for a~nchoring
vessels Of the size admitted by the in
creased depth of water. In other
words, the cut of the harbOr channel is
too narrow to permit large vessels to
swing to their anchors at any place in
the river within the city limits. We
therefore suggest that action be taken
by our chamber Of m to the end
that a basin for the accommodation of
vessels entering and leaving this port
be dredged by the United States gov
eminent in the harbor between Wooster
street and Nun street, as this point has
been designated by the harbOr master
as most suitable for the purpose in
view. We understand that a special
appropriation Of congress will be re-
CURED for this emergency, and we trust
that your body will ask the
tion of Captain Craighill, United States
engineers, in charge Of this work, in
order that the anchorage may be ac-
complished with the least possible de-
lay. Very respectfully yours,
ALEX. SPRUNT & SON.
On motion of Mr.. F. L. Higgins, the
above communication was referred to
the and shipping committee.
On motion of Colonel Taylor, Mr..
James Sprunt was also added to the
committee to consider the matter and
take the proper steps to carry out the
suggestion Wade.
President Chadbourn presented franz
ed portrait photographs of DR.. w.
w. Harriss, Colonel VIM. l.. DeRosset
and Colonel F. w. K%ershner, former
presidents of the chamber, which had re-
quested them. He said as soon as the
portraits of the late Mr.. A. H. VAN
Bokkelin and of Mr.. D. G. Worth, form
er presidents, were secured, the five
portraits could be formally presented to
the chamber.
The chamber then adjourned.