USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX > Part 99
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Resolved, That seven members be a committee for the purpose of purchasing a suitable scite for the contem- plated edifice, duly regarding the convenience of the members, and that report he made to a subsequent meeting. The following persons were appointed:
Samuel Richards,
Wm. Wallace,
M. L. Bevan,
John S. IIenry, and
M. Newkirk,
F. V. Krug.
J. V. Cowell,
Resolved, That a committee of fifty be authorized to ob- tain subscriptions and donations for the purpose of erect- ing a new edifice for worship. The following persons were appointed:
Alexander Henry, Geo. D. Blakie,
M. L. Bevan,
E. R. Johnson,
Samuel Richards,
Geo. D. Heberton,
Matthew Newkirk, Geo. Fithian,
John V. Cowell,
F. Hieskell,
William Wallace,
F. N. Buck,
Robert E. Gray,
Peter Lees,
Henry Bill,
David Kirkpatrick,
Henry F. Heberton,
Robert Heberton,
John S. Henry,
Michael Runnals,
F. V. Krug,
Dr. Lewis Summerl,
Samuel Harvey,
Ambrose Walker,
Rufus L. Barnes,
John J. Johnston,
Joseph Reakirt,
C. M. Miller,
Wm. Christie,
Robert Ewing,
P. L. Alrick,
Wm. B. Perkins,
Robert B. Aertsen,
Wm. J. Burkhart,
Abraham Crawley,
John Vanarsdall,
John C. Moore,
W. A. Train,
John Kennedy,
M. Garnett, John Ross.
Resolved, That Alexander Henry and Matthew L. Be- van, be a committee to obtain suitable supplies for the pulpit.
Resolved, That all the individuals present who con- sent to the foregoing resolutions, together with such other individuals as desire to associete with us, enroll their names in a book or paper prepared for that pur- pose. The following persons were appointed to carry this resolution into effect. M. Newkirk, Samuel Rich- ards, M. L. Bevan, John V. Cowell, and Henry F. He- berton.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the Moderator and Secretary, and ;published in the daily papers.
A. W. LELAND, Moderator.
MATTHEW NEWKIRK, Secretary.
From the Philadelphia Gazette. PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCILS.
THURSDAY, MAY 10.
COMMON COUNCIL .- Mr. RYAN, as chairman of the committee on the Drawbridge lot, made the follow- ing report and resolution which were adopted.
The committee ont he Drawbridge lot, to whom was referred an inquiry into the expediency of disposing of said lot by public or private sale, report:
That having given the subject due consideration they are of the opinion that it is inexpedient and impolitic on the part of Councils to dispose of it.
loudly for such a disposition to be made of it by Coun- cils, as will not only have a tendency to enhance the value of property in that neighbourhood, but prove eminently useful to our fellow citizens residing in that section of our city.
Petitions have been laid before Councils for several years past, praying for some other disposition to be made of that lot different from that to which it is now occupied, but Councils declined acting upon them, con- templating that at some future period the time would arrive when they could with propriety adopt such a permanent plan of improvement as would prove useful and satisfactory to our fellow citizens generally.
And although that lot has been heretofore fenced in and put in some order, calculated for a public prome- nade, yet for the want of a proper attention to its pre- servation and improvement, the intentions of those who projected that plan failed.
Your committe are of the opinion that the time has now arrived when this improvement can be completed with confidence, when they take into consideration, the completion of the Delaware Avenne, the widening of Water street, the erection of the Exchange on the corner of Dock and Walnut streets; the great width of Dock street (the cartway being on an average from 48 to 50 feet)while most of our streets have a cartway of only 26 feet.
When we take a view of that elegant banking house of the late Stephen Girard, (being now city property) and travel down Dock street passing by the Exchange and the formation of the street itself, showing such a variety of obtuse and acute angles-on arriving at the Drawbridge lot, it will be seen that there is not a street so susceptible of improvement as Dock street.
The cartway being at present of an unnecessary width would afford a much wider footway, say from 25 to 30 feet, extending from Third street to the Draw- bridge lot, and hy planting two rows of trees along those footways would form an elegant and agreeable prome- nade for our fellow citizens during the warm season.
Thus, with the Girard Banking house fronting the intersection of Dock and Third streets, the new Ex- change at the intersection of Walnut street, and the Drawbridge lot handsomely improved at its termination, together with the footways widened and trees planted, the Drawbridge lot, with Dock street improved, would form one of the most elegant places of recreation in our city. Under these impressions, your committee beg leave to offer the following resolution:
Resolved, By the Select and Common Councils, That it is inexpedient to dispose of the Drawbridge lot, and that the committee on that lot be directed to procure a plan for the improvement of the Drawbridge lot, and of Dock street, and lay the same before Councils, as soon as practicable for their consideration.
Mr. BAKER as chairman of the paving committee made the subjoined report and resolution which were agreed to.
Tbe paving committee to whom was referred the re- solution of Councils to inquire if any and what altera- tions are necessary to be made in the regulation from Spruce to Chesnut, west of Beach street, to the river Schuylkill, report,
That they have viewed said street and heighths of the regulation as Mr. Haines, City Regulator, marked for the information of the committee, and from the heighth as it appears by the marks, the committee are of opinion that the regulation at the wharf is higher than the interest of the city and property holders ad- joining the same admits of and that the same may be lowered without injury to any person, and greatly to the benefit of a number of lot holders, at Locust street, west of Beach street, and at George street, and Beach street; they therefore offer the following resolution.
Resolved, that the paving committee request Samuel Haines, City Regulator, to draw a plan of said alteration
While your committee entertain this opinion they are nevertheless aware, that in its present state it forms such a nuisance to the neighborhood around it, as calls | and submit the same for the consideration of Councils.
. Bela Badger,
Isaac Otis,
David P. Reisch,
Geo. H. Van Gelder,
Garret Newkirk, Stephen C. Brooke, Wm. Carter,
Sterne Humphreys,
Robert Sheppard,
1
PROTECTIVE SYSTEM-MEETING.
1832.]
347
Mr. Fnirz as chairman of the committee to whom was referred the petition of the watchmen of the City, made the following report and' resolution which were adopted.
The committee to whom was referred the petition of the City Watchmen, together with the communication of the Mayor and City Commissioners in relation thereto, beg leave to report:
That they have taken into consideration the import- ance of an efficient Watch and impressed with the be- lief that a proper understanding of the merits of the application required such information as could be at- tained in reference to the duties and pay of Watchmen in other cities, they procurerl statements thereof from New York, Boston, and Baltimore, carefully examined the same and having compared them with the duties and allowances, are of the opinion that the Watch of this city in proportion to the duties by them performed, do not receive a sufficient compensation for their ser- vices, they therefore offer the following resolution for the consideration of councils:
Resolved, that it be recommended to the City Com- missioners to pay a salary to the City Watch of twenty , eight dollars per month, including in their duties the lighting, trimming, cleansing, &c. of the lamps, the number of lamps to be equalized among the Watch- men as nearly as practicable.
Mr. FRITZ as chairman of the fire committee made the annexed report, resolution, and ordinance.
The committee on fire companies to whom was referred
the memorial of fire companies, requesting an in- crease of appropriation in aid of their several insti- tutions, report:
That from the several statements received from separate companies, they are of the opinion an additional appro- priation may be necessary to aid those companies in their laudable endeavours, they therefore recommend the passage of the following ordinance, entitled "a further „, supplement to an ordinance granting aid to the fire en- gine and hose companies of the city, passed April 22d, 1824.
SEC. 1. Be it ordained a nd enacted &c. that from and after the passing of this ordinance, the sum of one thousand dollars, in addition to the sum of five thou- sand dollars heretofore appropriated, be, and the same is hereby appropriated, for the same uses and purposes, and subject to the same conditions, as are contained in the ordinance to which this is a further supplement.
The committee although not being instructed to offer any ideas or recommendations, further than those em- bodied in the ordinance reported, presume to suggest to the consideration of Council the propriety of acting in conjunction with the different fire insurance compa- nies, who are much interested in this subject; for al- though some of the companies contribute in a certain degree towards the support of the engine and hose companies, it is done without system, and no doubt with the best intentions, their appropriations are partial, and by acting in concert with the city authorities the money appropriated might be applied more judiciously and with better effect. They therefore submit the fol- lowing resolution:
Resolved, that a committee be appointed to confer with the different fire insurance companies on this sub- ject.
Mr. FRITZ moved to amend the ordinance by striking out one thousand dollars and inserting two.
Mr. SULLIVAN, moved to postpone the subject for the present, and called for the yeas and nays, which were: Yeas-Baker, Hood, Horn, Okie, Patterson, Ryan and Sullivan-7. Nays-Coryell, Fritz, Leiper, Moss, Mur- ray, Oldenburg, Page, Sexton and Wetherill-9.
Mr. SEXTON moved to recommit the report and ordi- nance to the same committee, which was agreed to.
MEETING
OF THE FRIENDS OF THE PROTECTIVE SYS- TEM.
At a very numerous meeting of the friends of the protective system in the city and county of Philadel- phia, held on Saturday, May 26th, 1832, in the county court house, and by adjournment for the purpose of accommodating the great numbers assembled, in the Musical Fund Hall.
The Hon. JOSEPH HEMPHILL, was chosen presi- dent; ROBERT WALN, MATHEW CARET, J. P. WETHER- ILL, and SAMUEL RICHARDS, Esqrs. vice-presidents, and JOSEPH RIPKA, JAS. RONALDSON, and J. SCHOLEFIELD, Secretaries.
The objects of the meeting having been stated from the chair,
PETER A. BROWNE, Esq. addressed the meeting on the important subject which had called them together, defending the great principles of the TARIFF, and pro- testing against the adoption of any measures that would tend to reduce the working classes of this country to the situation of a large portion of those in Europe. He then offered the following resolutions, which were adopted by acclamation.
Resolved, That the constitutional right of congress to protect manufactures, agriculture and commerce, is a point admitted, and no longer, a subject of discussion, the system out of which it sprung, had its origin ante- rior to the declaration of independence: a steady at- tachment to it, caused the abrogation of the act of con- federation, and the formation of the present constitution: its constitutionality has been legislatively admitted for nearly half a century, during all which time, the people have uniformly concurred in the construction.
Resolved, That we recognize the right of no tribunal but the Judiciary to decide upon the constitutionality or the unconstitutionality of an act of congress; and that we deprecate, as inconsistent with republican princi- ples, and the true construction of our system, every at- tempt to put down the expressed will of a majority by threats of opposition to the laws, or of a dissolution of the union, and thus by means of intimidation to force the powers.of government into the hands of a minority.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the bill from the Secretary of the Treasury, because it aims a blow at the prosperity of our country, is alike injurious to its agri- cultural, manufacturing and commercial interests, and especially destructive of the cuniforts and happiness of the working classes of our fellow citizens.
Because it injures the farmer and wool grower in de- priving the former of a larger market for that surplus produce which the manufacturing nations of Europe will not take of him, and ruins the latter in the destruc- tion of more than half his sheep and of the value of the lands on which they are fed; the capital invested in which, being worth above one hundred millions, and the annual value of his wool more than twenty millions of dollars.
Because it admits the importation of woollen yarns at the same duty as the raw material, and thus destroys the use of American wool, by giving to the foreign wool grower, carder, spinner and dyer, the supply of such of our factories as shall survive the shock of this measure.
Because it injures the woollen manufacturer, by de- priving him of the carding, spinning and dying of the woollen yarn, of which his cloths will be made; by the repeal of the minimum system, his great protection; by the almost total destruction of the manufacture of sati- nets, which consume nearly half the wool raised in the United States: by the reduction of the duties on cloths, so as to invite a ruinous competition abroad, and expose him to all the fluctuations of foreign markets, and to the overflowings of the surplus manufactures of foreign nations, and by the destruction of the larger part of a capital of 60 millions of dollars invested in the woollen business.
-
34S
PROTECTIVE SYSTEM-MEETING.
[JUNE
Because it injures the manufacturer of cotton, by the destruction of the manufacture of satinets, rouen cassi- meres and other mixed goods, which now afford him a market for 4 millions of pounds, or nearly half the yarn he spins and sells; by its effect in contracting the ex- pansion of his business into the finer fabrics, and driving those who now produce them, back upon the coarser, which are at this time, from the severe domestic compe- tition greatly depressed: and by the repeal of the pro- tection on cotton yarn, which will admit the article again from abroad, made of East India cotton, to the manifest injury of the spinner of the north, and the cot- ton planter of the south.
Because it injures the manufacturer of iron, at a time when, from increased skill, a larger investment of capi- tal, a cheaper communication with the seaboard, and the use of bituminous coal; he is about to furnish the general consumer, with a larger supply of his invaluable and national product, than heretofore.
Because it injures the workers in iron, by supplying the market with the more showy but inferior manufac- tures of Great Britain, at prices ruinous to the mechan- ics of this country.
Because it injures the manufacturer of drugs, glass and chemicals, among the most successful efforts of the skill and ingenuity of our countrymen; and permits the importation of these articles at low rates of duty free; many of which will be imported as ballast.
Because it injures the manufacturer of hats, caps, and bonnets, and destroys a large amount of labour, generally considered a clear gain to the country, viz: that of fe- males, which in these articles alone, produces an annual value of near three millions of dollars.
Because it injures the manufacturer of leather, whose various fabrications create annually an amount greater than that of the whole cotton crop.
Because it injures or destroys the manufacturer of salt, sugar, and cotton bagging, side arms, brushes, ves- sels of copper, hair cloth, matting, oil cloths, slates, quills, pencils, umbrellas, and numerous other articles, on whose production, so many of our mechanics and laborers depend for their subsistence: But above all,
Because it strikes a blow at the wages and the em- ployments of the working classes, which will bring po- verty and desolation upon them and their helpless fa- miles.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the bill reported by the committee of manufactures, in the house of re- presentatives, because it is generally similar in its pro- visions, and obnoxious to the same objections as the bill of the secretary of the treasury; because in the change of duties which it proposes on wool and wool- lens, it destroys the efficiency of the protective duty to the wool-grower, by diminishing his market, in the omission of an adequate protection to the woollen manufacturer: the duty on woollen yarns being the same, and on flannels, baizes, and some other descrip- tions of woollens, being less than is imposed on the raw material; and because it admits all manufactures. of wool, or of which wool is a component part, costing not more than 40 cts. at a duty of 5 per cent. when the ob- ject of a reduction of duty on negro clothing, might have been accomplished by the admission at 5 percent. duty only of articles milled and fulled, and composed entirely of wool-and the manufacturer of satinets, and other fabrics of mixt materials, thus have been preserv- ed from injury without impairing the object of this pro- vision for a reduction of duty.
Resolved, That the free American workman, who lives well, and commands all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, cannot be expected to manufacture as cheaply as the ill fed operative of Europe: that, much as we deprecate any legislation that shall equal- ize the value of our free labor with that of foreign paupers, we deprecate still more the pauper morals that must necessarily follow such a course, and we hold any man or party of men who seek to reduce our working
classes to this state of poverty, dependence, and im- morality, to be enemies of their welfare especially, and hostile to the prosperity of our common country.
Resolved, That the invidious distinctions proposed by this bill, in aiming at the ruin of some branches of man- ufactures while others are touched with a more sparing hand, are regarded with a like repugnance by those who suffer least and those who suffer most; that the in- terests of all are equally concerned in the protective system which was enacted for the common benefit, and that its friends will stand or fall together.
Resolved, That the proposed diminution of duties, and consequent increase of importations, will necessa- rily, for a time, increase the revenue, and afford a future pretext for repealing altogether the protection upon ar- ticles in the fabrication of which our citizens and arti- zans emigrating from foreign countries find their only support.
Resolved, That in the general prosperity of the United States, so publicly proclaimed and so universally ad- mitted, the evidences of which, as regards ourselves, are all around us; under and during this system of pro- tection; we see no reason for its modification or repeal; and the only check to its current among our trading community has arisen lately from the practical effects of what is denominated free trade, in excessive impor- tations, which have caused a large amount of specie to be exported, bank accommodations to be seriously cur- tailed, and embarrassment and bankruptcy brought upon many of our citizens.
Resolved, That, while a large number of the citizens of the United States have, under the faith of the govern- ment, been led by the protective laws to quit other pur- suits and invest their capital in manufactures, we hold that a repeal, or a serious modification of the protec- tive system, will be an act of the grossest injustice, and is calculated to impair that confidence which this peo- ple have in their government; and we believe that any compromise of this question involving serious sacrifices, will not be permanent, and that nothing short of pro- tection to their various interests will ever satisfy the majority of the community.
Resolved, That convinced of the constitutionality of the protective system, and satisfied by experience of its expediency, as a measure of national policy; we de- precate any abandonment of the principle, to the vi- sionary speculations of theorists, the selfish views of par- ty politicians, or to the factious clamors of a small part of the nation, and that we will ever oppose all measures substituting the labor of foreigners for that of our own citizens, engaged in the various branches of mechanics, manufactures, and agriculture.
Resolved, That the bills of the secretary of the treasu- ry, and of the committee on manufactures of the house of representatives, in alteration of the tariff, would bc injurious to the farming, mechanical and manufacturing interests of this state, and are contrary to the unanimous opinion of Pennsylvania as expressed by her legislature, and that, therefore, our senators and representatives be requested strenuously to oppose their passage. That the said bills are in their provisions much more objec- tionable than the bill reported in the senate by the com- mittee on mannfactures, although the latter, in a spirit of conciliation, concedes much to a part of the southern states, which the interests of the rest of the nation might re- quire to be retained.
The following resolution was then unanimously adopt- ed-
Resolved, that the thanks of this meeting be given to P. A. Browne, Esq. for his able address introductory to the resolutions.
On motion of J. F. Leaming, Esq. it was
Resolved, that the resolutions and proceedings of this meeting be published in all our daily papers, and that Messrs. Samnel Richards, James Page, and J. J. Borie, be a committee to forward the same to our senators I and representatives in congress, and to the chairmen of
1832.]
MUSICAL FUND SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA.
349
the committees on manufactures of the Senate and house of representatives.
JOSEPHI HEMPHILL, President.
ROBERT WALN, MATHEW CAREY, J. P. WETHERILL, SAME. RICHARDS,
Vice Presidents.
Josep' Ripka, Jumes Ronaldson,
Secretaries.
J. Scholefield,
From the National Gazette.
MUSICAL FUND SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA.
At the annual meeting of the society held pursuant to the provisions of the charter, at the Hall of the Soci- ety, on the Ist of May 1832-the following report was presented from the joint board of officers, which was directed to be published.
F. G. SMITH, Chairman ..
GEO. CAMPBELL, Secretary.
- ANNUAL REPORT.
In compliance with the provisions of the by-laws, the joint board of officers of the Musical Fund Society, present a statement of their transactions during the last year.
When the preceding annual report was made, the board were under the necessity of calling the attention of the society to the unfavorable situation of its affairs. This had not arisen, as they were well aware, from any defects in the plan originally adopted, nor from any want of zeal in pursuing it, but from the operation of circumstances in themselves rather to be regarded as advantageous. The efforts of the society had produced a remarkable change in the community, with regard to music. A taste for that beautiful branch of the Fine Arts, if it was not created, was at least developed to a great extent; and, from this cause, the attention of those members of the society, who had been the supporters of the practisings and of the Academy of Music, became nceessarily, to a considerable extent, diverted. The same circumstances were found to produce a similar ef- fect on the public exhibitions of the society. Much dif- ficulty occurred in making the necessary arrangements, and especially in securing the attendance of the profes- sional members. The plan which had been adopted for the concerts and other musical performances was found to be inefficient, and, as a natural consequence, the benefits which the institution had derived from them, were greatly diminished.
These facts, well known to many members of the so- ciety, rendered it expedient to make a change in the ar- rangements, corresponding with the change of circum- stances. Accordingly meetings of the society were called, committees were appointed, and important alter- ations made in the by-laws, both with regard to the Academy of Music and the Orchestral regulations.
jects which may justly be regarded as those for which the society was founded, as much as for the cultivation of taste, and the patronage and improvements of the arts.
The other principal change adopted, was' the aboli- tion of the instrumental practisings, which were previ- ously appointed to be held once a month during the winterand spring; and the vocal rehearsals, which it was intended should take place as often during the same period. The reasons that give rise to this change were, the great and increasing difficulty of securing that at- tention which was necessary on the part of the profes- sional members, not, as has been observed, from any want of interest and devotion to the main objects of the institution, but from the sacrifices it required on their part, which perhaps were scarcely compensated by the advantages that were derived from them to the society. Of the propriety of this measure, the board have as yet seen no reason to doubt.
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