The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-12-15
CHI AMBER OF
COMMERCE.
Interesting Address by Col.
Thompson,
AT THE MEETING FRIDAY NIGHT.
Business Tran. acted by the Chamber
Parties Figuring ON the Proposed
Electric Line.

The meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce Friday night was attended by the
largest crowd that has yet attended any
gathering of that body, and the pro-
ceedings We're marked by an interest
and enthusiasm very gratifying to wit
ness. The address of Col. n. +. Thomp-
son, Secy. of the Huntsville Chamber of
Commerce, was one of the finest efforts
of the kind ever heard here, and was
listened to with manifestations of keen
est interest
The first order of business, after the
reading of the minutes, was the repoct
of the officers. Under this head, the
Secretary reported the action of the
Board of Directors since the last meet
ing Of the Chamber. He stated that the
Directors had selected an Executive
Committee of five members to have
charge of the arrangements for the Live
Stock Convention to be held here in the
Spring. The committee consists of Jno.
w. Fry, A. B. Rains, A. S James, G
A. Parker and A. G. Floyd. They had
taken other action which came under
other heads.
On motion, Mr.. Briggs McLemore was
unanimously elected a member Of the
Chamber
The committee on the proposed cleo
hic line to Mt. Pleasant, reported that
new parties were figuring on building
the line, and that they were making
! progress.
Mr. w B Greenlaw reported that his
committee had sent on to President
Smith of the l.. & N railroad the reso-
lutions of the Chamber, and the petition
of the business men of Columbia asking
the railroad to build new depot here;
that President Fry had received q
letter from Mr.. Smith p omising to take
the matter up and investigate the ad
visibility of the new building, lie had
heard that officials of the load had been
here since that time, looking into the
situation, and he was hopeful that the
depot would be built,
Mr.. Rains submitted the names OF a
standing committee on schools, which
he had been authorized to appoint at a
former meeting of the Chamber over
which he had presided The names are
as follows. W. b. Greenlaw, Jno. Z.
Dexter, Jno. B. Ashton, r. c. Cant, ).
f. BrownloW, j. Rosenthal and w. ID
Cameron.
The Secretary submitted proposition
from BIG leather firm in Pennsylvania,
proposing to move their business here,
and to put in $4,000 capital if the peo-
pie of Columbia would subscribe 6oO,00G
in stock themselves. The tirm would
employ at least $50 hands, and do
business of a half million dollars year
They propose to secure the working
capital, and guarantee the sales of the
leather The matter was discussed
somewhat, and it was agreed that il
should be left to the Directors, who vii
correspond further with the parties
The Secretary reported further, that {
gentleman was in Columbia from In
diana seeking to establish a mill t.
manufacture barrell heads. If he came
he Would employ from 40 to 100 hands
, most of them being skilled workmen
; The Secretary had strong hopes that h
would locate here. Other propo
sitions were mentioned but not dis
cussed. The committee on manu-
features was requested to take up tn
matter of pushing home concerns wit
home capital.
The Chairman was authorized to ap
DOllI CollliillbltO W Cp-OpOi btV " "a
the Confederate Bivouac in getting u
: the Fiddlers Contest.
Col. Thorn sons speech.
Col. n. f. Thompson was then il
!" troduced, and delivered an address o
the best means of town-building. Co
T Thompson had had ten years eXperienc
b in promoting industrial development an
n was thoroughly familiar with his subject
Speaking from the fullness of such a
g experience. and being in deep earnest, h
: made profound impression upon HI
q. audience. He stated that he was Dor
: at Shelbyville, in the neighborin
u county of Bedford, and therefor
> felt at home here. He had, howeve
r spcnt several years in the North stud.
2, ing conditions there in person. and kne
e the conditions there thoroughly. II
s said that the great trusts had croWde
out n great many smaller men engage
in industries in the North. This ha
created such surplus Of money an
/. industrial experience in manufacturi1
4 lines rs had never been known bef0r
4. This capital and these men could be s
:, cured by the South, almost withol
~ limit, If the South would adopt n
'e lrl lqsr policy. Before they would com
n however. IL would be necessary to cu
b. vince them that they would Boz tuat.
IN fairly. and their rights protecteu fro
ID unjust taxation and oppression
4 would be necessary 20 minimize the j
4 frence ~ tho politician and the dem