Mr. STRANAHAN moved that the report be referred back to the Committee. Mr. OPDYKE moved to add, "with instructions to report again in favor of granting a liberal compensation for mail service on the Pacific Ocean." This amendment was adopted. The question was then taken on the resolution as amended, and it was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, 1221 members voting. On motion, the Committee were instructed to submit their report at a special meeting of the Chamber, and the Secretary was directed to call such meeting on the 16th inst., at half-past two o'clock, P. M., by printed notice to each member. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES. Mr. Low, as Treasurer of the Committee of One Hundred, appointed on the 10th ultimo, to obtain money for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at Chicago, reported that a sum reaching nearly nine hundred thousand dollars had been collected for the purpose. Two hundred and fifty thousand of which had been sent to Chicago. RESOLUTIONS. Mr. Low moved that the Chamber express its sympathy with the action of the Committee of Seventy, by requesting the merchants of this city to close their places of business on Tuesday next, the 7th instant, to allow all persons in their employ to take part in the approaching election. The motion was supported by Mr. CHITTENDEN, and unanimously adopted. COMMUNICATIONS. A communication was read from Hon. E. D. MORGAN, dated New-York, November 1, 1871, resigning his membership of Committee Number Four, which was accepted, and the Committee empowered to fill the vacancy and to elect a chairman from their number. The Chamber then adjourned. Special Meeting, Thursday, November 16, 1871. A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held this day, at half-past two o'clock, P. M., at the rooms of the Chamber, No. 63 William-street, to receive and act upon the report re-committed to Committee Number Four, with instructions to recommend the Government to grant a liberal compensation for mail service on the Pacific Ocean, pursuant to the resolution adopted on the 2d instant. PRESENT. GEORGE OPDYKE, First Vice-President. WILLIAM M. VERMILYE, Third Vice-President. GEORGE WILSON, Secretary. Mr. D. WILLIS JAMES, Chairman of Committee Number Four, submitted the following report: To the Chamber of Commerce: The committee beg leave respectfully to report, that they have given to the petition of Mr. WILLIAM H. WEBB to the Chamber of Commerce, urging the endorsement by the Chamber in certain specified methods to secure from the National Congress a "money subsidy" in aid of his line of steamers to Australia and New-Zealand, and also the instructions of the Chamber to present a resolution recommending the Government to grant a liberal compensation for mail service in the Pacific, their careful consideration, and in obedience to the instructions of the Chamber the committee present the following resolution: Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce recommend the Government to grant a liberal compensation for mail service on the Pacific Ocean. But the committee beg leave further to report, that in the report they had the honor to submit to the Chamber, at its last meeting, they stated that they considered it inexpedient for the Chamber, at present, to recommend such money subsidy as was specifically applied for in the petition above referred to, believing that the sentiment of the country had expressed itself against subsidies, and also holding to the opinion that should the Chamber endorse such applications now, it would seriously interfere with any recommendations the Chamber might see fit to make to Congress looking to measures for the general relief of commerce and the gradual restoration of our shipping and maritime interests. Further examination and reflection confirm the committee in these views, and they therefore recommend that instead of adopting the foregoing resolution the Chamber should adopt the following resolution, general in its character, and not having reference to special cases: Resolved, That the Chamber of Commerce of the State of NewYork hereby recommend the Government to pay a liberal compensation for carrying the mails to all suitable lines of American steamers sailing to foreign ports. The committee believe that this resolution is more National, less objectionable, and will be more serviceable to the cause of commerce than the former one, as it will place the Chamber right on the record as to the general desire of the Chamber to aid in the restoration of American commerce. Respectfully submitted. The report was unanimously accepted. D. WILLIS JAMES, Chairman. Mr. A. A. Low moved the adoption of the following resolution. as a substitute: Resolved, That the officers of the Chamber of Commerce be in structed to prepare a memorial to Congress embodying the closing recommendation of the report just submitted, and to be in harmony therewith. The general subject of Government aid to lines of mail steamers, and the depressed condition of the American shipping interests, with remedies for its restoration, was again discussed by several members of the Chamber. Mr. DANIEL DRAKE SMITH moved that the report under discussion be laid on the table. The ayes and nays being taken, the motion was declared to be lost. The question was then taken on the substitute offered by Mr. Low, and it was adopted by a large majority. COMMUNICATIONS. Mr. SAMUEL B. RUGGLES submitted the following letter from Hon. JAMES A. BELL, late auditor of the Canal Department, inviting the appointment of a Committee to examine the system, and witness the operations of steam cable towing on the canals: Hon. S. B. RUGGLES: ALBANY, Nov. 15, 1871. My Dear Sir,-Knowing your former official connection with the canals of our State, and your constant interest in their prosperity and increasing usefulness, and being aware that the "Proceedings of the Canal Board" bear testimony to your efforts to facilitate the introduction of steam towage by means of a submerged cable, as practiced in France, Belgium, and other European countries, upon the canals of this State; and knowing also your personal efforts in 1867-8 to induce the forwarders on the canals, at Buffalo and elsewhere, to test the utility of this system in this country, you will be gratified to learn, that Mr. A. M. FARWELL, of this State, has, under a grant from the Legislature and Canal Board, at considerable expense, built a steam tug, the "Gov. CLINTON," laid the cable from Albany to Troy, and is now prepared to exhibit the practical workings of the system of steam cable towing on the Erie Canal. Under these circumstances, and in view of the importance of this subject, I would respectfully suggest that you lay this information before the New-York Chamber of Commerce, and request that body to appoint a committee to examine the system, and witness its operations at Albany on Friday, the 17th inst., at 12 o'clock, noon. I am also at liberty to say, that the attendance of such committee would be gratifying to the State officers and Canal Board. I remain, your obedient servant, (Signed,) JAMES A. BELL, On motion, the invitation was accepted, and Messrs. SAMUEL B. Ruggles, George OPDYKE and JAMES S. T. STRANAHAN were appointed a special committee to attend on the occasion and report the result of the experiment. The adoption of the substitute offered by Mr. Low was reconsidered, and Mr. SINCLAIR TOUSEY offered the following amendment thereto : "Provided, that the rate of compensation for mail service shall not exceed the amount of postage collected by the line to which such compensation is paid." On motion, the Chamber adjourned. Monthly Meeting, Thursday, December 7, 1871. A regular monthly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held this day, at half past two o'clock, P. M., at the Rooms of the Chamber, No. 63 William-street. PRESENT. WALTER S. GRIFFITH, Second Vice-President. FRANCIS S. LATHROP, Treasurer. GEORGE WILSON, Secretary. A. A. Low, ROYAL PHELPS, GEORGE A. JARVIS, CHARLES L. RECKNAGEL, JED FRYE, ISAAC PHILLIPS, WM. M. HUNNIFORD, SIMEON BALDWIN, GEORGE W. Dow, JOSIAH O. Low, SINCLAIR TOUSEY, L. J. N. STARK, GEORGE W. LANE, ISAAC GREEN PEARSON, GEORGE. K. SISTARE, CHARLES E. BEEBE, |