USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > Nashville > History of Nashville, Tenn. > Part 27
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The first exclusively wholesale boot and shoe house was established in 1854, and this house thought it was doing an immense business when its aggregate sales amounted to $10,000 in a year. In 1872 there were five first-class wholesale boot and shoe houses, the aggregate trade of which amounted to $2,000,000 during the year. In 1873 there were six whole- sale boot and shoe houses which handled nearly 40,000 cases, aggregat- ing over $2,000,000. In 1876 there were eight wholesale houses, and their trade amounted to about the same.
Early in the history of the city the agricultural implement trade was a part of the general hardware trade, but in 1866 or 1867 the demand for this class of goods became so great that a number of houses were es- tablished that were devoted to the agricultural implement business exclu- sively. For the year ending August 31, 1871, the extent of the business had reached $500,000, and had doubled itself within the two previous years. At the present time it is a much larger feature of the city's trade
251
MERCANTILE AND COMMERCIAL.
than ever before. In 1872 the hardware trade reached over $1, 300,000, an increase of $700,000 over the previous year. For 1873 it was $1,- 500,000. For 1876 hardware worth $1,000,000 was sold by four exclusive- ly wholesale houses and six others which dealt in hardware at retail also.
The coal trade of the city began to assume large proportions in 1871, the number of bushels sold that year amounting to 1,000,000 at 20 cents per bushel. In 1873 the number of bushels reached 2,500,000, the price that year being 16 cents per bushel. In 1872 the wool trade of Nashville amounted to 150,000 pounds, and its value was $75,000. In 1873 it was 200,000 pounds; and in 1876 the number of pounds sold here was 150,- 000, at 25 cents per pound. In 1872 the number of pounds of dried fruit was 3,000,000; in 1873, 2,500,000; and in 1876, 2,000,000.
Nashville has become a very important live stock market. In 1870 the number of cattle sold here was 20,176; the number of hogs, 16,950; and the number of sheep, 14,854. In 1871 the numbers were: Cattle, 24,697; hogs, 23,072; and sheep, 20,632. In 1872 the live stock trade was almost the same as for the preceding year. In 1873 the numbers were: Cattle, 21,000; hogs, 30,000; and sheep, 16,000. The value of all was $1,043,000. In 1876 the numbers were: Cattle, 20,130; hogs, 21,148; and sheep, 20,430.
The hat and cap trade was separated from the boot and shoe trade in 1872, the business amounting to upward of $500,000. In 1873 it amount- ed to $300,000, and has now become a large and important trade. In 1872 the drug trade amounted to $900,000; in 1873, to $1,600,000; and in 1876, to $1,250,000. Before the war there was but one house dealing in clothing, which handled about $100,000 per year. In 1872 there were several firms thus engaged, and their aggregate sales amounted to $850,- 000. In 1873 the trade reached $1,200,000, but in 1876 the trade reached only $800,000.
For most of the years following these there are tables in later pages which accurately show the extent in the city's trade, so far as the differ- ent lines of trade are covered by those tables. Following is a sum- mary of the number of firms engaged in the most important branches of trade in the years 1880 and 1889, so far as these numbers could be as- certained, and they are believed to be a pretty close approximation to the precise numbers :
Agricultural implements, 1880, 11; 1890, 12. Architects, 1880, 5; 1890, II. Blacksmiths, 1880, 17; 1890, 65. Boots and shoes, wholesale, 1880, 7; 1890, 9; retail, 1880, 17; 1890, 69. Broom manufacturers, 1880, 2; 1890, 8. Butchers, 1880, 35; 1890, 40. Carpenters and build- · ers, 1880, 21; 1890, 78. Carriage manufacturers, 1880, II; 1890, 12.
252
HISTORY OF NASHVILLE.
Wholesale clothing, 1880, 2; 1890, 6; retail, 1880, 15; 1890, 34. Coal dealers, 1880, 22; 1890, 31. Commission merchants, 1880, 24; 1890, 20. Cotton factors, 1880, 16; 1890, 15. Druggists, 1880, 38; 1890, 60. Dry goods, wholesale, 1880, II; 1890, 12; retail, 1880, 46; 1890, 68. Furniture dealers, 1880, 14; 1890, 23. Gents' furnishers, 1880, II ; 1890, 9. Grocers, wholesale, 1880, 14; 1890, 16; retail, 1880, 302; 1890, 405. Hardware, cutlery, etc., 1880, 16; 1890, 18. Hats and caps, 1880, 3; 1890, 17. Hides, leather, etc., 1880, 4; 1890, 9. Hotels, 1880, 19; 1890, 23. Lumber dealers, 1880, 13; 1890, 33. Machinists, 1880, 6; 1890, 17. Marble works, 1880, 4; 1890, 9. Milliners, 1880, 21; 1890, 16. Musical instrument dealers, 1880, 3; 1890, 5. Notion deal- ers, 1880, 14; 1890, 17. Produce dealers, 1880, 29; 1890, 30. Sa- loons, 1880, 62 ; 1890, 150. Shoe-makers, 1880, 56; 1890, 100. Stove and tinware dealers, 1880, II; 1890, 12. Wagon-makers, 1880, 7; 1890, 12. Watch-makers and jewelers, 1880, 20; 1890, 26. Wines and liq- ors, 1880, 17; 1890, 14. Real estate has during the past few years be- come such an important feature of the city's business that there are now over fifty firms engaged therein.
At the present time Nashville has eleven wholesale boot and shoe houses, whose aggregate annual sales amount to $6,000,000. She has twenty-six grocery firms doing an annual business of $10,000,000. She has sixteen dry goods houses, whose sales amount to $6,000,000, and her drug trade, hardware trade, clothing trade, hat and cap trade, and agri- cultural implement trade are large in proportion. There have been but four failures of wholesale establishments since the war, and the credit of the business men generally is perhaps second to none in the United States.
Among the causes which tend to advance the city's progress and good name are the following: It has a small public debt, only $2,605,400; the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, although practically con- trolling the railroad traffic of the place, has at the same time always dealt fairly with the city in the matter of rates; there are twelve banking insti- tutions which have a combined capital of $4,015,000, so that money is not difficult to secure when needed; and beside all these, the agricultural and mineral resources of that portion of the State tributary to Nashville. are practically inexhaustible.
A call was issued May II, 1877, for a meeting to be held May 12, at five o'clock P.M. at the rooms of the Cotton Exchange, for the purpose of considering the propriety of organizing a Produce Exchange. The call was signed by the following individuals and firms: Smith & Hill, Hart & Hensley, John J. McGavock, L. H. Lanier & Son; Webb, Scog-
253
MERCANTILE AND COMMERCIAL.
gins & Co .; Pilcher & Williams, Cheatham & Kinney; Phillips, Jackson & Co .; Orr Brothers; Bailey, Davis & Co .; Sperry & Co., B. S. Rhea & Son, Hooper & Co., C. H. Stockell & Co., Cunningham & Co., C. E. Hillman & Co., Woodard & Moore; Harsh, McLean & Hardison; A. Tyler & Co., W. B. & R. L. Armistead; J. M. Carsey, Sons & Co .; Turner Brothers, McAllister & Wheless, J. P. Dobbins & Co., F. Moul- ton & Co., Hurley & Son, F. M. Hill & Co., O. F. Noel; Nevins, Ter- rass & Co .; Gilbert, Parkes & Co .; Chase & Co., Gennett & Co .; Ord- way, Dudley & McGuire; Pingers, Parkes & Co .; Sample, Williams & Co .; Holding, Wilkes & Hancock; R. A. Fraley, S. Rosenheim, J. S. Cooley & Co., Anthony & Brother; Abernethey, Dudley & Shelton; J. Cooney & Co., J. H. Frith, Gordon Brothers & Anderson, George S. Herbert, B. Lanier & Co., Morris & Stratton, Charles Nelson; Parsons, Campbell & Co .; J. & L. Whorley, J. F. Parr & Co., E. T. Noel, A. C. Wilkerson & Co., A. M. Perrine & Co., and Hayes & McIver.
At the meeting held in response to this call many prominent business men were in attendance. Colonel J. P. McGuire was called to the chair, and he then explained the object of the meeting. Major W. Hooper Harris made a few remarks on the necessity for the organization of the Exchange, and Mr. Leonard Parkes moved the appointment of a com- mittee of five to take into consideration all matters pertaining to the or- ganization, and that they be required to report on the 14th inst. The committee, as appointed, consisted of Messrs. Leonard Parkes, Henry C. Hensley, J. M. Smith, E. B. Stahlman, O. F. Noel, G. M. Jackson, Charles Nelson, T. H. Mason, and J. P. McGuire.
On the 14th, their report was made as required, and was substantially as follows: That the organization be known as the Merchants' Ex- change; that it should embrace the organizations known as the Cotton Exchange and the Tobacco Board, and all other organizations of a simi- lar character; that the organization be effected under the charter of the Nashville Cotton Exchange, and that the proper authorities be applied to to change the name to the Merchants' Exchange.
The objects set forth in the report of the committee were: To supply a suitable room, or rooms, for the Merchants' Exchange; to inculcate just and equitable principles of trade; to establish and maintain uniform- ity in commercial usages; to acquire and disseminate valuable informa- tion ; and to adjust controversies and misunderstandings among its mem- bers.
Any person or firm engaged in mercantile, manufacturing, transporta- tion, insurance, banking, or kindred pursuits, or business in this city, might become an active member of the Association, and the Board of
254
HISTORY OF NASHVILLE.
Directors might have the privilege of admitting any citizen of Nashville: to active membership, on application.
The officers of the Exchange were to consist of a President and six Vice-presidents (who should constitute the Board of Directors), and a Secretary and Treasurer. There should be an annual meeting on the: first Monday in September, at which the officers should be elected; there should be an annual meeting on the last Monday in August, to hear the reports of the retiring officers ; and there should be called meetings when- ever necessary. It was estimated that there would be one hundred mem- bers, and that the expenses would be about $150 per month. The an- nual dues were fixed at $30, payable half-yearly in advance.
The report of the committee was adopted, and a committee of five was appointed to secure a charter, consisting of J. D. Anderson, J. N. Sper- ry, J. F. Wheless, E. B. Stahlman, and D. H. Bailey. A committee was also appointed to canvass the city and attempt to induce business men. to join the association.
At a meeting held on June 20, at the room of the Cotton Exchange, there were represented about fifty business firms of the city. The com- mittee appointed to canvass the city for membership, as heretofore nar- rated, reported that ninety firms had signed the memorandum of agree- ment. The Committee on Charter, after being granted further time for the completion of their special work, presented the following resolutions:
"Resolved, That the Exchange proceed to a permanent organization by the election of a President, who shall serve until the first Wednesday in May, 1878; two Vice-presidents to serve until the first Wednesday in May, 1878; two Vice-presidents to serve until the first Wednesday in May, 1879; two Vice-presidents to serve until the first Wednesday in May, 1880; and that on the first Wednesday in May in each year there- after a President shall be elected to serve one year, and two Vice-presi- dents to serve three years.
"That the President and six Vice-presidents shall constitute a Board of Directors for the Exchange, and that the other officers shall be a Secre- tary and a Treasurer, who shall be chosen by the Board of Directors."
After changing the date for holding the election of officers from May to September, the resolutions were adopted, and the organization of the Exchange was effected by the election of the following officers: Presi- dent, Colonel J. P. McGuire; Vice-presidents to serve until September, 1880, Henry C. Hensley and George M. Jackson; to serve until Sep- tember, 1879, J. N. Sperry and Frank Moulton; and to serve until Sep- tember, 1878, J. H. Wilkes and J. J. McGavock.
While the voting for these officers was going on, Leonard Parkes made:
255
MERCANTILE AND COMMERCIAL.
the announcement that the first sale on 'Change had taken place, five car-loads of corn having been sold by Frank Moulton to Dr. E. T. Noel at 60 cents per bushel. This announcement was received with applause.
June 26, 1877, was a day long to be remembered by the Merchants' Exchange, as it was on that day formally opened for business. The Exchange was looked upon as an institution that promised to regulate the daily movements of business in accordance with strict principles of equity. Previous to its organization there had been no acknowledged authority whose quotations were reliable standards, and as a consequence producers had diverted their trade into other channels, and sections which should have looked to Nashville, and which would have done so had there been such an organization as the Merchants' Exchange, had sent their business to other places. The Cotton Exchange and the To- bacco Board would, it was hoped, find a congenial home in the Mer- chants' Exchange, and thus a strong and influential body would be the result. The Exchange, on the 26th of June, 1877, started upon a career which it was confidently expected would mark an epoch in the commer- cial prosperity of the city.
Shortly after eleven o'clock of that day, representatives of nearly all the business firms of the city assembled in the room of the old Cotton Ex- change. Several of these representatives brought samples of flour, wheat, corn, oats, etc., which were placed in little boxes on a table in the room. Colonel J. P. McGuire, the President of the Exchange, declared the Ex- change open for business. As there were as yet no rules, he said that each person would be permitted to make as good a bargain as he could. When a sale was made it was reported to Mr. Wilkes, the Secretary, who placed it on the blackboard. Henry Hensley, of the firm of Hart & Hensley, offered for sale by his firm one hundred bushels, more or less, of new Tennessee wheat-the first arrival of the season. Bidding was spirited, and offers ran up from $1.25 to $1.77, at which price the wheat was sold to McAllister & Wheless. The next sale was of forty bushels of Alabama wheat at $1.50 per bushel to B. Lanier & Co. Two hun- dred and eighty-seven sacks of corn were then sold; and then Smith & Hill sold to Frank Moulton a car-load of white corn at 5412c. Besides these sales, there were sold on this first day four car-loads of corn at 591/2c., one hundred and eleven barrels of Greenbrier whisky at 40c., two car-loads of corn at 57c., five car-loads of corn at 5912c., and twen- ty car-loads of corn at 6oc. The members were highly elated with the success of this first day's sales.
Following is the charter of the Merchant's Exchange, to which refer- ence has been made :
:256
HISTORY OF NASHVILLE.
" Be it known that John P. McGuire, Henry C. Hensley, George M. Jackson, John N. Sperry, Frank Moulton, James H. Wilkes, and John J. McGavock are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the Merchants' Exchange of Nashville, Tenn .; for the purpose of organizing, maintaining, and supporting a Board of Trade, or Chamber of Commerce, in the city of Nashville, Tenn., to afford better facilities for the transaction of the general mercantile business; to acquire, preserve, and disseminate useful information of the commerce of the country; to adopt standard classification; to establish just and eq- uitable principles of trade; to maintain its rules, regulations, and usages ; and to adjust controversies among its members.
"In accordance with the General laws of the State, as provided by an act of the Legislature, known as 'An Act to Provide for the Organization of Corporations,' approved March 23, 1875, we the undersigned apply to the State of Tennessee, by virtue of the laws of the land, for a charter of incorporation, for the purposes and with the powers and privileges de- clared in the foregoing instrument.
" Witness our hands, this 25th day of June, 1877."
The names above given were signed to this instrument.
Henry C. Hensley has been President of the Exchange ever since 1879. The first Secretary was James McLaughlin. He was succeeded on Sep- tember 6, 1878, by C. S. Pearce, who resigned almost immediately; and on September 24, 1878, L. R. Wilson was elected to succeed him. On September 13, 1879, Thomas H. Bradford was elected Secretary, and he resigned September 27, 1880. Oliver H. Hight was then elected, and has served ever since. John N. Sperry has been Treasurer of the Ex- change ever since its organization.
Following are market quotations from the report of April 17, 1890: Wheat, No. 2, 87 cents; flour, patent $5.25 to $5.60, extra fancy $4.75 to $4.85, fancy choice $3.65 to $4.10, family $3.35 to $3.60, superfine $3; coffee, Rio 1912 cents to 2314 cents, Laguayra 2012 cents to 23 cents, Java 24 cents to 30 cents, Cordova 21 cents to 23 cents, peaberry 22 cents to 24 cents, roasted 25 cents to 26 cents; Cheese, half-cream, 9 cents, full-cream 1134 cents to 1212 cents, Young America 12 cents to 13 cents, cheddars 12 cents, skims 8 cents; Molasses, Louisiana open kettle choice 48 cents, prime 43 cents to 45 cents, centrifugals 25 cents to 38 cents, corn sirup 30 cents; nails, 50d. to 6od. $2.40, 40d. $2.45, 30d. $2.50, 20d. $2.55, 16d. $2.55, 12d. $2.55, Iod. $2.60, 8d. $2.65, 6d. $2.80, 4d. $3, 3d. $3.40; sorghum, in store 33 cents to 35 cents, from first hands 28 cents to 36 cents; sugar, white clarified 612 cents to 65/8 cents, yellow 63/8 cents to 61/2 cents, Louisiana open kettle 534 cents to 6
257
MERCANTILE AND COMMERCIAL.
cents, powdered 738 cents, cut loaf 738 cents, granulated 634 cents, standard A 61/2 cents, off A 618 cents, extra C 578 cents, C sugars 538 cents to 534 cents; bacon, clear sides 612 cents to 712 cents, shoulders 7 cents to 75/8 cents, country hams 9 cents to 10 cents, bulk clear sides 6 cents, clear rib sides 534 cents, sugar-cured canvased hams 1012 cents to II 12 cents ; lard, refined tierces 6 cents to 614 cents, Western leaf 714 cents to 712 cents, choice leaf 75/8 cents to 734 cents ; Irish potatoes from store, seed Early Northern Rose $2, Northern Burbank $2.25 to $2.50, New York Peerless $2, Indiana Hoosier $1.75 to $2, second crop Tennessee $2; sweet potatoes, per barrel from wagons $2.50 to $2.75, seed sweet $2; butter, medium per pound 10 cents to 12 cents, choice 12 cents to 20 cents; hides, green salted No. I per pound 31/2 cents, green salted No. 2 per pound 3 cents, green not salted No. I per pound 3 cents, dry flint per pound 5 cents to 7 cents, dry salted per pound 4 cents to 5 cents ; oats, mixed sacked 31 cents, bulk 29 cents; corn, sacked white 37 cents, bulk 34 cents; clover-seed from wagons, $3.50 to $3.75, German millet from wagons 35 cents to 40 cents, car-load lots from store 40 cents to 42 1/2 cents, Timothy from store $1.50 to $1.80, redtop from store 50 cents, blue-grass from store $1.25 to $1.40, orchard grass from store 90 cents to $1, rye from wagon 40 cents to 45 cents, rye from store sacked 65 cents; hay, choice Timothy in car-load lots $13.50, prime Timothy $10.50 to $II, clover hay from wagons $10; wool, choice unwashed 2I cents to 22 cents, coarse unwashed 19 cents to 20 cents, slightly burry 15 cents to 18 cents, heavy burry, 8 cents to 10 cents, lambs' 17 cents to 19 cents, choice tub-washed 32 cents to 33 cents, dingy tub-washed 28 cents to 31 cents.
The receipts of cotton for the years previous to 1882 were as fol- lows: 1875, 57,082 bales; 1876, 50,258 bales; 1877, 47,501 bales; 1878, 54,932 bales; 1879, 48,542 bales; 1880, 81,338 bales; 1881, 89,737 bales.
The following table shows the receipts of various articles for the years from 1882 to 1889 inclusive, the year ending August 31 :
YEAR.
Cotton,
Bales.
Corn,
Tons. Hay,
Oats,
Bushels.
Whisky,
Barrels.
Wheat,
Bushels.
Hogsheads. Tobacco,
Flour,
Sugar,
Hogsheads.
1882.
59,867
2,050,050
10,650
456,375
16,790 20,172
2,251,500
4,042
266,501
3,580
1884.
53,925
3,772,285
17,550
295,250 538,990
19,877
2,225,800
2,320
354,165
1,529
1885.
41,120
2,162,525
16,175
597,000
17,15I
I,$50,000
5,149
390,438
727
1886.
41,838
2,484,300
16,798
582,000
16,044
2,095, 200
6,836
411,563
1,890
1887.
55,163
2,699,500
18,373
705,000
18,749
2,233,700
5,556
434,077
1,429
1888.
57,743
1,680,800
18,924
617,000
19,098
2,562,800
2,214
1,957
I889.
67,850
2,345,555
18,498
759,000
19,025
2,052,8So
6,639
1,562
1,675,585
2,768
211,500
3,967
1883.
45,498
3,093,200
10,435
Bushels. .
Barrels.
17
258
HISTORY OF NASHVILLE.
YEAR.
Sugar,
Barrels.
Coffee,
Bags.
Molasses,
Barrels. .
Bulk Meats, Bacon and
Pounds.
Tierces. Lard,
Barrels.
Nails,
Kegs.
Boots and
Shoes,
Pea-nuts,
Bags.
Cars.
1882. .
24,790
39,428
8,536
6,577,225
5,970
53,635
1883
. .
22,867
41,726
3,610
2,963,400
3,294
71,090
1884.
41,206
60,302
4,253
7,211,400
9,785
37,788
52,636 51,965
45,866 62,861
19,212
39I
1887 ..
44,302
34,652
3,188
10,546,365
9,605
32,783
45,447
81,392
16,501
465
1888 . .
49,044
37,078
7,067
2,412
32,190
49,706
94,155
4,480
388
1889. . ..
41,290
36,641
2,879
9,219,260 10,216,530
11,536
41,590
52,195
104,719
10,997
310
The following table shows the receipts, shipments, and sales of cattle, sheep, hogs, and mules in Nashville since 1885 :
ʻ
CATTLE.
SHEEP.
HOGS.
MULES.
YEAR.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Sales.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Sales.
Receipts.
Shipments.
Sales.
Receipts.
Shipments.
1886
42,090
18,103
23,987
32,224
19,04I
13,183
74,096
39,94I
34,155 36,809
7,348 11,925
II,925
1888
37,848
15,108
22,740 33,90I
20,062
13,839
59,982
29,382
30,600
14,667
14,667
1889.
40,784
10,904
29,880
44,406
18,395
26,0II
90,614 50,693
39,92I
17,488
17,733
The organization of the Exchange for the year 1889-90 is as follows: President, Henry C. Hensley; Vice-presidents, George M. Jackson, Isaac T. Rhea, John N. Sperry, Thomas O. Morris, Leonard Parkes, and H. B. Buckner; Treasurer, John N. Sperry; and Secretary, Oliver H. Hight.
Following are the standing committees :
Railroads and Transportation: Isaac T. Rhea, J. W. Thomas, B. F. Champe, George G. O'Bryan.
Cotton: John E. Gilbert, George A. Dazey, Kinney F. Dazey.
Tobacco: John C. Gordon, E. A. Carsey, E. Kirkpatrick.
Flour and Mill Products: John J. McCann, William F. Orr, L. H. La- nier, Jr.
Grain and Hay: B. S. Rhea, Bruce Douglas.
Dry Goods, Boots, and Shoes: F. P. McWhirter, R. S. Rollins, B. H. Cooke, R. G. Throne, A. G. Fite, Ben Lindauer.
Groceries: Daniel H. Bailey, Hugh F. Kirkpatrick, L. T. Webb.
Insurance: Joseph L. Weakley, John O. Treanor, J. W. Hopkins, D. R. Johnson, Jesse Warren, John Burns.
Liquors: Charles Nelson, George S. Kinney, John T. Carson.
Seeds and Agricultural Implements: David C. Scales, C. A. Litterer, Edward Buford.
Produce and Commission : Charles B. Ward, John T. Carson.
Cotton Seed,
1885
33,274
39,483 41,802
3,429
6,894,930
8,375
53,746
1886. .
38,331
3,099
7,252,415
7,456
3,5,803
43,608
71,413
7,348
1887.
36,957
22,070
14,887
30,729
16,843
13,886
71,648
34,839
Cases.
Salt,
259
MERCANTILE AND COMMERCIAL.
Manufacturing: H. W. Buttorff, George M. Goodwin, F. M. Hamil- ton, T. B. Dallas, D. Shelby Williams, H. J. Kemker, W. K. Miller, A. J. Warren.
The Commercial Club was organized in December, 1888, as the result of a movement among prominent business men of the city who saw and felt the necessity for such an organization. The originators of the move- ment were: B. J. Campbell, F. F. Ellis, -- Jones, Jr., Macey Corbit, John C. Hooper, J. A. Crutchfield, William Hawkes, Charles Weakley, G. J. Parks, J. H. Reeves, J. H. McEwen, and F. G. Cummins. The incorporators of the club were: R. M. Goodall, Theo Cooley, F. T. Cummins, J. W. Jackson, and J. H. Reeves. The first officers were: Lewis T. Baxter, President; F. T. Cummins, First Vice-president; J. R. Frizzell, Second Vice-president; Charles Sykes, Secretary; and Wilbur Durr, Treasurer. The first Board of Directors was composed of R. M. Goodall, Theo Cooley, J. H. Reeves, H. B. Grubbs, J. R. Frizzell, J. W. Jackson, W. S. Jones, F. T. Cummins, and S. A. Cham- pion. Numerous standing committees were also organized, as follows: On Finance, on Entertainment, on Arrangements, on City Development, on State Development, on Manufacturing and Mercantile Interests, on Employment, on the Press, on Public Policy, on Immigration, and on Building.
The objects of the organization were declared to be to promote more intimate social relations among the business men of Nashville, to encour- age and promote the commercial and manufacturing interests of the city, to advertise its diversified advantages, to assist in removing impediments to her progress, to foster and encourage a public spirit which will benefit the city, and to teach that whatever promotes the business interests of one class of citizens is for the benefit of all.
The officers of the club for 1890 are as follows: Board of Directors: Lewis T. Baxter, M. A. Spurr, J. B. Richardson, L. H. Lanier, Jr., W. G. Sadler, F. T. Cummins, Ben Lindauer, H. B. Grubbs, M. T. Bry- an, and J. R. Frizzell. Officers: Lewis T. Baxter, President; L. H. Lanier, Jr., First Vice-president; J. B. Richardson, Second Vice-pres- ident; G. H. Armistead, Secretary; and W. D. Gale, Treasurer. The membership of the club on April 1, 1890, was 530. Many new mem- bers were received into the club during the first three months of this year, and the organization has done much active and effective work looking to the general advancement of the city's interests.
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