The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-06

terday. Worth
Hi, Resignation Five
New nm EIected-Other Busi.
ness.
The regular monthly meeting of the
chamber Of commerce was held yester-
day afternoon, and the most important
action taken by the chamber was in
reference to the purchase OF the Will
mington and Brunswick ferry in order
to have free ferriage. The meeting wa
presided over by First Vice President
Marcus W. jacob in the absence OF
President w. E. Worth. There were
present at the session Colonel John L.
Cantwell, secretary; ex-Mayor s. H.
Gabriel Holmes, D.. l.. Gore, B. F.
Keith, F. L. Woodruff, r. NJ. Wescott,
J. B. Mercer, w. j. Martin and James
H. Cowan.
After the minutes Of last months
meetings were read and approved, cleo
ton of members was declared in order,
and Mr.. w. H. Yopp, DR.. D. w. Bull
LUCK, hGSSTS. D. -. oCulOSo " w., duu
Messrs /. NJ. Bear & Co., of this city,
and Messrs. NJ. G. Guthrie & Son, of
Southport, were elected members of the
chamber.
FREE FERRY QUESTION.
Reports Of special committees were
next called for, and under this head the
secretary read the following report:
Gentlemen:
1--WE, your committee appointed to
draw up a bill to be presented to the
legislature, empowering the city of Will
mington to issue bonds, not exceeding
the sum Of twelve thousand five hun-
dred dollars, for the purchase of the
Wilmington and Brunswick Ferry, beg
leave to report that such a bill was pre-
scented to the Legislature by Representa-
tive DR.. Mcneil, of Brunswick county,
and became a law at the last session.
Your committee further represent,
that they have given the matter care
full and diligent consideration and now
report, that in their judgment, no mon
ely can be SO well invested and which
gives greater promise for the future
growth and material progress OF u
city, as this.
THE country comprising the upper
end of Brunswick and the lower end Of
Columbus county, with such induce
ments as a free ferry would offer, would
make that territory tributary to Will
mington and would be incentive to rap
id and substantial growth.
Your committee believes in a few
years the increased trade from this ter
ritory, SO capable Of raising any and
Ill l;nI, 80 fr,;+ ooI 4r,,oIy would
many times repay the amount so ex-
pended. A free ferry contributed by
the city would be a strong inducement
to the citizens of Brunswick county to
improve the roads connecting with the
ferry, which 1t is believed they would
do, with the greatest unanimity, in
their own interest and take sole charge
of the road and ferry lying in Bruins
wick county.
I'm this way both city and county
would be benefited. Your committee
regards the purchase as a step in the
right direction, which ought to have
been taken years ago, and earnestly
recommend that the chamber Of COM
merce take such active and efficient
steps as they may deem proper to pro-
cure necessary action on the part of
the officials of our city to so use the
money, authorized by the last legisla-
ture, which they 0 have the power
to appropriate"
B. F. KEITH, Chairman.
MARCUS w. jacob.
J. B. MERCER.
Mr.. Wescott moved the acceptance of
the report.
Mr.. Gore inquired if it was settled
that the ferry could be purchased for
the price mentioned in the report.
Mr.. Keith stated that this was a
matter to be decided later, but that the
purchase price might be less than men
toned, as the last congress appropriate
ed $500 to make Town Creek naviga-
bile, with the priviso that the commits
sioners of Brunswick county make an
appropriation to have a draw placed
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