[Trade Journal]
Publication: Twenty Third Annual Report of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce
Cincinnati, OH, United States
p. I,1-3,104-113, col. 1
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CINCINNATI
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
AND
MERCHANT'S EXCHANGE,
FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR, ENDING AUGUST 31, 1871.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CINCINNATI, September 1, 1871.
To the Members of the Chamber of Commerce:
The retiring Board of Officers herewith present a sketch of the work of the Chamber for the year just closing:
Special attention has been given to the improvement of the canal around the falls of the Ohio, at Louisville, action being taken thereupon at seven meetings of the Chamber, the last as late as the 14th of August, when a committee from the Chamber reported the satisfactory progress of the work, and offered a resolution, which was adopted, favoring a further Government appropriation of $300,000, which sum, it was estimated, would complete the work. It is not too much for us to say that, but for the persistent and intelligent action of the Chamber, through its committees, seconded so heartily by the able Superintendent in charge, Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, the end would not have been so nearly attained.
Much excitement pervaded the city on the "Newport bridge question," the Chamber, as a body, co-operating with those desiring a span of not less than 100 feet in height, which was finally accomplished, mainly through the efforts, we believe, of your committees.
The interests of the city, in connection with those of the Washington & Ohio, the Cincinnati & Rockport, the Cincinnati Southern, the North & South, of Georgia, the Cairo & Vincennes, and the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroads, have been before you at various times, and received such attention as was required.
The Hon. L. D. Campbell's bill on the Deposit of Public Moneys, after a number of meetings, at which it was freely discussed, in connection with reports of committees, was finally, February 3, superseded and disposed of by a series of resolutions, which were adopted, offered by a committee, of which James F. Torrence was chairman. On the following day, Mr. A. L. Frazer offered resolutions, on taxation, which were also adopted.
A resolution was passed and sent to the Legislature, then in session, to the effect that it was the sense of this body that six per cent. should be the legal rate of interest, where not specified, and all rates inwritten contracts legalized.
The "Weather Reports," originally suggested and inaugurated by this Chamber, has passed into the hands of the general Government, under the supervision of Professor Abbe, late of our city, and is doing good service throughout the country, as is universally acknowledged. At the instance of the Government, the connection of the Chamber therewith is still kept up through a committee of one, who acts as advisory to the Department.
The intention of the Government to discontinue the Newport barracks having been brought to the attention of the Chamber, a committee was appointed to memorialize the War Department, and divert such action, if possible, as detrimental both to the Government and to our city, but with an unfavorable result.
The "Port of Entry law" is now working well as applied to Cincinnati, mainly through action taken by the Chamber.
We have been duly and ably represented in the National Board of Trade, a report from your delegates having been presented to you. While the Board recognize the good work that it is claimed should grow out of the labors of such a body, it is constrained to say, that the advantages are not such as will longer justify this Chamber in the annual outlay of $500 or more, and we therefore respectfully suggest the withdrawal of our membership.
A radical change has been inaugurated in the rules and regulations governing the provision trade, which, as a whole, has been satisfactory to the interest involved.
Our market report from abroad having been much, and justly, complained of by members, the Board gave the subject special care and attention, resulting in a recommendation changing the hours of meeting, from 11:30 A. M. to 12:45 P. M., as then fixed, to from 1 P. M. to 2:30 P. M., which would enable us to get full reports of other markets. This change was not agreed to by the Chamber, but the hour was prolonged to 1 P. M., and such changes made in the market reports as were practicable, the changes involving an additional expense of about $1,000 per year.
During the year, the Board discontinued furnishing the city press with daily reports of the market, the result being a net gain to the treasury of about $800 per year. A suitable record book has been provided, where the prices of nearly all articles are recorded daily, under the supervision of committees for each specialty. This but carries out an idea advanced long ago, the utility of which is obvious. $900 per year has been added to the income of the Chamber, by renting space in the back part of the hall to the three telegraph lines working here.
The "admission of strangers" has been a perplexing question, both to the Board and to the Chamber, one of the few matters of importance left unfinished, and to which we respectfully call the attention of our successors.
During the year, formal announcement has been made, by the President, of the decease of five of our members, viz.: George L. Johnston, October 6; S. C. Newton, February 11; L. D. Mackoy, April 12; C. Taylor Jones, May12; and Samuel Stokes, Jr., July 9.
The Industrial Exposition, held in September, under the joint auspices of the Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trade, and Ohio Mechanics' Institute, proved to be a success beyond the expectations of the most sanguine. Pecuniarily, there was a surplus of receipts over expenditures of about $1,500, which was divided equally between the three bodies, giving $500 to the Chamber. The $1,000 subscribed to the guarantee fund was also returned. Stimulated by this great success, the same bodies have arranged for another and similar exposition, though on a larger scale, which opened on the 6th instant, with every promise of like success and usefulness.
On the 4th of October, the Southern Commercial Convention met in our city, as per adjournment at Louisville a year before, the City Government and Board of Trade having joined the Chamber in inviting its session here. Of its workings you are already advised.
Our total membership is 761 — 656 regular and 105 ticket — against 714 last year — a gain of 47. The ticket sales show a gain of about $600 over last year.
The Annual Review of the Commerce of Cincinnati, as prepared by Mr. William Smith, Superintendent of the Exchange, accompanies this.
The annual report of the Treasurer will be found below. It shows, financially, a healthy and prosperous condition of the affairs of the Chamber. The total receipts from all sources were $27,558.65, and the expenditures $25,509.33, an excess of receipts over expenditures of $2,049.32.
In closing their report, the Board cannot refrain from alluding to the apathy of a majority of the members to the workings and business of the Chamber. They, at least, owe a hearty and earnest co-operation to their Board of Officers.
On behalf of the Board,
D. L. GARRISON, Secretary.
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