USA > California > San Francisco County > San Francisco > Colville's San Francisco directory for the year commencing 1856-1857 > Part 9
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On motion of Thomas Bannister, Daniel Mc- Laren was chosen Secretary.
B. F. Hastings offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
' 1. Resolved. That we will form an Association of Odd Fel- lows in Sacramento City, for the relief of the distressed mem- bers of the Order.
2. Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to draft rules and regulations for our government.
3. Resolved, That a Committee of Relief he now appointed, whose duty it shall be to collect by voluntary contributions from members of the Order, ao amount sufficient to relieva the distressed and bory tha dead, notil further provisions ara made by the association.'
The Chair appointed as Committee on Rules and Regulations, B. F. Hastings, Daniel McLaren and Joseplı C. Derby; and, ou mnotion, the Chair was added to, and made Chairman of, the com- mittee.
On the Relief Committee the Chair appointed E. K. Gallup, Dennis Ridout, Isaac H. Norris, Samuel McNulty and Jas. B. Cunningham.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned to the 24th inst., at 8 o'clock, P. M.
On the 24th, the members of the Order met pursuant to adjournment, A. M. Winn in the clair. The Committee on Rules and Regulations reported as follows:
'SACRAMENTO CITY, Ang. 24, 1849.
The members of the Order met pursuant to adjournment, A. M. Wian in the chair. The Committee on Rules And liegula- tions reported as follows :
CONSTITUTION.
I. The name shall he the ' Sacramento Odd Fellows' Associa- lion.'
2. Its objects-to relieve the distressed and bury the dead.
3. Its officers shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary And Treasurer, who shall hold their offices one year, and until their successors are elected, and shall perform the duties inci- dent to their offices, as the Association may require.
[The By- Laws reported at this time have been lost.]
On motion, the Constitution and By-Laws were adopted ; and the names of the following persons were registered ns members of the Association :- A. M. Winn, B. F. Hastings, Daniel Mc- Laren, E. Meconekin, James A. Myer, Henry E. Robinsou, Israel S. Chase, John Seymour, James B. Cunningham, J. Brown, Thomas Bannister, M. E. Iledrick, John Taylor, O. C. Osborne, Jos. B. Adams, Samuel Smith, Ephraim Martin, Samuel MeNulty, J. C. Stambangh, W. F. Deniz, H. R. Brad- way, E. S. Elswortb, James A. Reed, Johu II. Flender, A. Barker, August F. Taylor, Wm. Kesey, Benjamin C'arter, D. O. Mills, C. E. Warren, Woodbury Masters, E. H. Hall, L. A. Bootb, A. C. Watson, W. D. Drake, J. C. Jones, D. C. Ash- craft, R. G. Random, Win. P. Sayward, J. R. Welden, E. K. Gallup, Jubn Ledger, C. J. Hendrake, Robert Hammet, R. G. Slanghter, C. F. Hare, Gilbert L. Sees, Henry Bates, J. O. Derby, Isaac H. Norris, H. S. Merrill, Wm. Glaskin, Edward E. Hunter.
On motion the Association proceeded to elect its officers, which resulted as follows :- A. M. Winn, President ; Edward E. Hanter, Vice President ; Daniel McLaren, Secretary, and E. K. Gallup, Treasurer.
The Committee of Relief appointed at the former meeting, was continned.
Several members of the Order were reported sick, and com- mittees appointed to attend them. The Committee of Relief
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was directed to report all cases of sickness or distress to the President.
The President was vested with full power to do whatever be deemed necessary for the good of the Association, or members of the Order. The Secretary was directed to receive all moneys, and pay the same to the Treasurer. The Treasurer was di- rected to receive all moneys from the Secretary, and disburse the same on the warrant of the President, countersigned and numbered by the Secretary.
The admission fee was fixed at five dollars.
It was ordered, that the regular meetings should be held every Friday evening, at the President's office, on Third Street, be- tween J and K.
The Association tben adjourned.
A. M. WINN, President. DANIEL MCLAREN, Secretary.'
The foregoing are all the proceedings of the Association that have been preserved, the record book having been lost during the flood of Janu- ary, 1850.
The Society continued to meet regularly, until the number of sick members of the Order became so great, that the active members had but little time to bestow upon those whom they were ap- pointed to attend. The cases of sickness became so very numerous, that the members who were able to attend to them, frequently became sick themselves, from actual fatigue; and some fell victims to disease through their own acts of be- nevolence. Soon after the organization, the whole Association was resolved into one Committee of Relief,-the members of which were constantly on duty, and reported verbally to the President, day and night. Their reports were frequently of the most heart-rending character.
Cotemporaneous with the operations of the Odd Fellows, was that of the Free Masons, who, though without any special organization, acted in concert with their brethren in relieving the distresses of their fellow-men. The sanitory dis- pensations of the associations alluded to above, is but a reflex of what attaches itself to the Free Masons. We were promised a detailed account of their proceedings, from their first meeting in this city to the present time, but have been dis- appointed in obtaining it."
Son's of Temperance-Templars of Honor.
Both these Orders are fairly represented in this city. A. C. Manning, Esq., G. S. of the former, in a letter of Sept. 24th, says: "The Order of S. of T. now numbers about 160 active working Divisions in this State, with a membership of some 7,000. The Order was never in a more healthy condition than at the present time, and there is every indication of a prosperous future."
The Templars of Honor are a comparatively new organization, but are rapidly gaining public consideration and importance.
Soelety of California Pioneers.
The Society have two pleasant apartments on the Plaza, fitted up for the enjoyment of the members and their visitors, where the Ancients assemble and mourn over the departed days when the abundance of gold and its general dif- fusion were the best protection against dishonesty
-when pans of the rich dust hams, bologna sausage, beans, etc., were promiscuously exposed, equally without risk. Admirable moral atmos- phere, albeit accompanied with the slight draw- backs of mule locomotion, canvas houses, flannel shirts, beds minus sheets, pillows and mattrass, fleas, slap jacks, fried pork, and balls without woman.
The Mercantile Library Association
Has been so fully referred to on page 148, that we deem it necessary only to append the report of Mr. Moore, the Librarian, in reference to the issue of books for the past month.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER, 1856 .- To the Board of Directors of the Mercantile Library Association - Gentle- men : The whole number of books taken out of' the library dnr- ing the past month WAS 978, consisting of works in the following branches of literature, viz .:- Romance, 421 vols .; Biography, 92; Voyages and Travels, 136 ; History, 80 ; Belles Lettres, 70 ; Science And Art, 30; Poetry, 40 ; Law and Politics, 14 ; Relig- ion, 5 ; Miscellaneous, 52 ; Bonnd Periodicals, 38.
The above shows an increase of ten volumes above the number taken out of the library io August, with no remarkable atten- tion to, or neglect of any of, the departments. Eight new sub- scribing members have been added to the Association during the month ; ten volumes of miscellaneous books have been pre- sented to the Association by Wm. Gouverneur Morris, Esq.
Mechanics' Institute.
We much regret that we are unable to give a more full account of this interesting institution than can be found in the Register.
California Academy of Natural Sciences.
The proceedings of this institution indicate that California, pre-eminently distinguished as it is for the devotion of its people to mere material acquisition, yet has distinguished exceptions. The importance of the unpretending exertions of these gentlemen, who shall estimate? For the names of officers of this institution, location, etc., the reader is referred to the Register.
Steamboating.
The history of Steamboat enterprise on these waters, exhibits the same mutations which have influenced all other business, magnified or aggra- vated by the nature of the pursuit, and some peculiar circumstances affecting it on this coast. The country suddenly occupied by a numerous population, totally without local supplies, and with ample means to purchase the luxuries of life, as well as its necessaries,-gave an impetus to trade never before known in the history of Commerce. The products of every portion of the globe, commanded a ready market in San Francisco-limited only by the means of trans- portation to the interior. The prices paid for carriage of freight and passengers were so enor- mous, that the proceeds of a single trip of one
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hundred or one hundred and thirty miles, would equal or exceed the original cost of the boat in the States; and profits almost fabulous were realized to the lucky owners, after the payment of the most unheard-of wages to the employees. Thus stimulated, the utmost exertions were made by steamboat owners, here and in the Atlantic States, to place their boats in California, or to supply the demand by building them here. The result was, within a very few years, a vast accu- mulation of steamboat tunnage upon the waters tributary to San Francisco Bay. But while the population had increased, it had also found means to supply, at home, many of those neces- saries hitherto procured from other countries, and the transportation of which had formed so im- portant a part of the business of the river steam- ers. Gold being the principal product, no export trade of produce, as in the great valleys of the West, arose to compensate for the diminution of the original business. Again, owing to the dis- covery of gold in Australia, and other causes, the influx of population was seriously checked, and the passenger trade was diminished in the same proportion as freight. Under these circum- stances, the owners of Steamboat stock on the waters of California found themselves engaged in a competition utterly destructive of their interests, present and prospective. With an amount of tunnage ample for three times the population; without the least prospect of im- provement in the character or extent of business to be transacted; no boundless regions, pene- trated by navigable streams, yielding to cultiva- tion annually a vast increase of bulky produce for transportation, supplying an active business for the idle boats of the preceding season-ex- isted here, as in the great valley of the Missis- sippi, to give hope to the future. The steam- boat owner saw before him but ruinous compe- tition-involving direct pecuniary loss and the certain depreciation and final decay of the costly property which in most cases represented, not only his entire capital, but much of debt, in- curred in its construction.
A continuance of competition of this charac- ter, under the peculiar circumstances of Califor- nia-while vitally injurious to the owners of steamboats, and productive of temporary and questionable benefit to individuals-must termi- nate in serious injury to the people at large. The result could not be doubtful. After the pecu- niary ruin of all or nearly all engaged in it, the business would certainly pass into the hands of
capitalists able to control it, and who at this re- mote distance, having the entire control of the stock remaining suitable for business, would con- stitute-not a combination of numerous small interests, intent only on self-preservation, -but a successful monied monopoly; which, holding in its hands ample resources, and the entire com- mand of the trade, could safely defy competition hy pointing the daring projector of opposition to the direful consequences of accumulating steam- boats on waters affording so limited a field for their employment ; and thus for a series of years hold within their soulless grasp the business of the country.
Urged by this state of facts, and determined by these reflections, the steamboat owners of California resolved to combine their interests, and in March, 1854, organized THE CALIFORNIA STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY, under the general law, with a capital of $1,800,000. As soon as the Company got into operation, they reduced the number of boats plying on our rivers within the limits justified by the business of the coun- try, while the others were laid up under as care- ful protection as possible.
But following as it did one of the most stu- pendous monopolies of breadstuffs ever known, by which flour was forced up to the most exor- bitant rates, (from $35 to $45 per barrel in San Francisco,) this company came in for a share of the popular indignation which had been aroused by the latter, and amidst this storm, swelled by Executive denunciation and Legislative threat- enings, no discrimination was exercised, and no allowance made for the very different character of the organization, or the peculiar state of facts out of which it grew; and every attempt made to oppose the Company, or embarrass it, was hailed with delight, and an effort was even made to interfere by Legislative enactment with the legitimate business of the Company, -. presenting the disgraceful spectacle in the middle of the nineteenth century, of a collection of American legislators seriously entertaining Legislative pro- positions scouted years ago, as at war with every true principle of political science. But these things have passed away. The conciliatory and honorable course pursued by the Directors, and their exertions to meet the requirements of the public -- their moderation in the exercise of their somewhat dangerous power-the conviction that reparation for accidents and losses can be much more certainly obtained from a wealthy com- pany, than from individuals of uncertain or no
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responsibility,-has tended to mollify the public feeling, which, reverting to the reasons for its establishment, looks with indulgence upon the California Steam Navigation Company.
For the first six months after its organization, dividends commensurate with the risk and un- certainty of the business were paid ;- for the past six months the Company has made money, paid regular dividends since April, and has on hand a cash surplus to meet contingencies. During the interval, however, between these two periods, the operations of the Company were unprofitable, arising from conflicting interests, and other circumstances not permanent in their character.
Having secured the confidence of the business community in the permanency of their organiza- tion, and shown its determination to deserve it, by correct dealing and prompt and honorable adjustment-fair profits may hereafter be antici- pated, and some appreciation in their stock hitherto so ruinously low, may reasonably he looked for.
In one particular highly important to the people of the State, the Company has displayed a most praiseworthy enterprise and liberality. The impoverished condition of the State Treas- ury has entirely precluded all dependence upon that source for any expenditure for opening or preserving our internal navigation. Such works are clearly beyond the means of individuals, if we could even hope for the exhibition of that degree of exalted patriotism, involving immense private expenditure without any exclusive ad- vantage. The Company, however, availing itself of its extensive resources, responding to the re- quirements of the community, and sustained by the hope of future gain, has freely borne the heavy expenditure incident to clearing out the impediments to navigation in the Upper Sacra- mento, and are at this moment engaged in similar operations on that river, and are contemplating a like enterprise on Feather River.
The following figures, shown by the books of the Company, are interesting :
From March 1st, 1854, to August 31st, 1856, (two and a half years,) there were 385,000 pas- sengers conveyed, to and fro, between the Cities of San Francisco and Sacramento; and 328,000 tuns of freight, from San Francisco to Sacramento, Marysville, Colusi and Red Bluff's, by the boats of the Company. During the same time, 120,000 tuns of freight were taken to Stockton. It is proper to observe, that a much larger proportion
of freight is conveyed to Sacramento in schoon- ers, than to Stockton.
For further details, see Register, pages 30-1. The Company have constantly employed about 450 persons.
For information of the Steamers belonging to the Citizens' Steam Navigation Company, and individuals, reference is made to the Register.
Steamship Companies.
PACIFIC MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
The main facts as to the organization of this great Company, will be found on page 169. They dispatch one of their splendid steamers semi-monthly, to Panama, with the Great At- lantic Mails, and weekly, to Oregon and Wash- ington Territories. The principal depot of the Company is at Benicia, where they have exten- sive foundries, iron works, etc., and complete facilities, for the' repair of their vessels, and where such of them as are not in use are laid up.
NICARAGUA STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
See Register, page 161.
ACCESSORY TRANSIT COMPANY.
C. A. Low, Esq., agent, 30 Front Street. This Company is still owner of the Steamers Uncle Sam, Cortez, Pacific and Brother Jonathan, on this side, and Northern Light, Star of the West, Daniel Webster and Prometheus, on the other- of the aggregate value of $1,500,000-and are now engaged in making arrangements for the establishment of a line via the Isthmus of Te- huantepec, by which it is confidently expected that the time between this city and New Orleans will be reduced to fourteen days, and to New York, seventeen days. The Company was in- corporated in 1851, and up to the present year, was engaged in the conveyance of passengers via Nicaragua, when their business was broken up by tbe intestine troubles of that State.
Iron Foundries, Boiler Works and Black- smith Shops.
The various establishments under these heads in this city are numerous, and some of them ex- tensive. Of these we may mention the Pacific Works, Vulcan, (joint stock co.,) Sutter, and Fulton. The Steam Boiler Works of Messrs. Coffey and Risdon is the only establishment on this coast confined to this manufacture exclu- sively, and does an extensive and increasing business, employing a large number of hands, in-
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volving a heavy outlay for labor and materials the past year of $65,000. The worthy proprie- tors are men of family, settled here as permanent Californians, and deserve, as they will certainly achieve, success.
And, though last, not least, the extensive es- tablishment of Mr. Peter Donahue, known as the "Union Iron Works." The present proprietor, with his brothers, are well known among the most enterprising and successful of the business men of San Francisco. Commencing in 1849 in a small way as blacksmiths and machinists, they continued to enlarge their works as their capital justified, and the business of the city required, until they have extended to their present im- portance. In March, 1850, the first essay at iron casting was successfully made at these Works, consisting of propeller boxes for the Steamer McKim. Although the enormous price of fifty cents per pound was received for this work, it was unprofitable, owing to the great ex- pense of preparation for it. A brick Foundry and Machine Shop has just been completed, which with the different Machine and Boiler Shops, etc., covers a fifty vara lot and an adjoin- ing space of 40x80 feet. All the machinery of these works was constructed within them, and the extensive castings and machinery of the Gas Works of this city were also made here. From 50 to 170 men are employed at the Union Works, according to the exigencies of business.
Furniture.
A branch of trade of great magnitude in this city is the FURNITURE BUSINESS. Various causes have combined to prevent its manufacture here, while the influx of a large population, and the sudden growth of towns and cities, with perhaps a larger proportion of people of taste and means for its gratification, than that of many older com- munities, created a great demand for all descrip- tions-which demand had to be supplied from the Atlantic States and Europe, hence the entire trade has centered here, and several mammoth establishments have been created by it. In the extensive warehouses of these dealers are dis- played immense stocks, constantly renewed from the clippers at our wharves, which include every thing in their line, from the unpretending neces- saries essential to the humblest housekeeper, to the most elegant articles demanded hy modern luxury.
Of these houses, as senior in date of establish- ment, and equal in importance to any, we take
the liberty of naming Messrs. GEO. O. WHITNEY & Co. Their history is a recital of San Francisco, or rather California perseverance and determina- tion under discouraging circumstances. They commenced business in the fall of 1850 en Pacific street, and established a branch warehouse at the corner of Sacramento and Webb Streets. Both of these stores, with their large and valu- able stocks, were totally destroyed in the great fires of May and June, 1851. Notwithstanding these disasters, by which within the short space of thirty days their stock was twice destroyed and their business twice broken up, they resumed or rather continued their business, occupying a warehouse on Battery Street next to the old Vigilance Committee Rooms, and rebuilt and continued the store on Sacramento Street. In 1852 they built a warehouse on Sacramento Street, which was the first fire-proof building put up on that street. In 1853 they built the spa- cious warehouse they now occupy on California street. This building is 57x80 feet, with three stores besides basement, built expressly for their business, and admirably adapted to it, yet scarcely sufficient to contain the immense stock their ex- tended business requires. Besides the store here, they have an extensive branch establishment in Sacramento. Mr. Geo. Whitney, the father of the members of the firm here, remains constantly in the Atlantic States, for the purpose of select- ing and forwarding the constant supplies arriving here by every clipper.
Another of these great houses, Messrs. J. G. CLARK & Co., occupy the old Clipper Warehouse, extending through from No. 128 Washington to Jackson Street. Their premises front on Wash- ington 30 feet, and 75 feet on Jackson, besides an extensive yard West of the warehouse, work shops, etc., suitably divided and assigned to the different departments of their business, viz : desk- rooms, varnishing-rooms, mattrass-rooms, ship- ping-rooms, sales-rooms, etc., etc. But the Hall, especially worthy of observation, is the principal salesroom, occupying the second story of the warehouse, 30 feet wide, and extending from street to street, a distance of 275 feet. No conception can be formed of this magnificent apartment from mere description, and any person visiting it will he amply rewarded by an exhibi- tion of tasteful and elegant furniture, artistically arranged in an apartment so extensive and so well calculated for its display.
This house has just commenced manufacturing, and have a large number of hands constantly em-
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ployed upon fine parlor sets, desks, and other bulky and costly articles. Some idea of the ex- tent of their business may be formed, when it is stated that their stock sometimes exceeds in value the sum of $200,000, and their freight bill in a single vessel $5,000.
Besides these there are other houses of less extent, but transacting an extensive business, amongst whom may be named Messrs. S. O. PIERCE & Co., and others whose address may be found in our Registry.
Sugar Refinery.
The San Francisco Steam Sugar Refinery have in progress extensive Works, which, completed, will add a most important branch of business to San Francisco industry. The facility of obtain- ing ample supplies of the cheap sugars of the East, and the extensive markets of the Pacific for the refined article, will doubtless enable the Company to command a large and profitable trade.
Flouring Mills.
This business has become within the last three years a most important branch of California in- dustry, and is destined, when agricultural labor shall have developed the capacity of the country for grain growing, to become its leading manu- facturing interest. There are ten or twelve mills here, which are described in the register. Several are now idle, owing to the high prices of grain. The Ophir Mills, 149 Battery Street, are recom- mended for the superior articles of flour, corn meal, etc., etc., prepared for city use.
Pavements.
The principal material heretofore used in our thoroughfares it is conceded must give way to something safer and more durable, and the public are divided in opinion as to the advantages of the various plans proposed to take the place of plank as it becomes worn out. Montgomery Street from Clay to Washington has the cobble pave- ment, of which that between Merchant and Washington has been but recently laid down. In some other parts of that street experiments have been made with a composition of asphaltum and cobble stones, which if it possesses durability, certainly presents advantages in the facility of putting it down. In front of the U. S. Court Building and Custom House is a splendid speci- men of the Russ pavement. In this climate, with no frost to disturb it, one who saw that put
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