Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-12-17
From The 4. $. Gazette
GREAT MEETING.

The mcoting oil citizens favorable To the u
OF a continuous line ot Rail Road n
from this city TO Pittsburgh, held last evening $
i'm the Chinese Saloon. was one OF the largest s
and most respectable that has been held in 4
this city for long time. Ii was composed oil
the wealthiest and most respectable portion oil b
the community, and the feeling developed du- lc
ring the evening. was of character most I
favorable TO the proposed improvement. {
The assemblagc was called To- order by l
GEORGE w. ToLASD, Esq, who nominated as a
Chairman.
THoMASP. COPE, ESQ. I
and the nomination was unanimously agreed
10.
On motion of JomN B. MEYERS. Esq, the
following named gentlemen were called on to
act AS
VICE PRESIDENTS:
John h. Kane, Isaac w. Norris,
Robert Tolaud. Geo. w. Carpenter,
Geo. \. Baker. David S. Brown,
Thomas Sparks.
And the following gentlemen were chosen
SECRETARIES:
Henry Welsh, John s. Littell
Thomas Tustin.
Mr. Cope on taking the chair, made few
remarks in relation TO the object for which the \
meeting was called The Bostonians have, he ]
remarked, reached the Great Wes, by means of
4
supplies. and growing trade; our neighbors
OF New York are engaged in nakinga similar
effort, and have commenced the construction
of u railroad TO achieve it; and the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company is endeavoring
To obtain the consent of our State, to carry a
road across large portion of our State to
Pittsburgh, oileringu as a boon for this grant,
the liberty 10 connect with the improvement
at some point within our State.-But TO this
al. IL
, with the necessary outly of at least 81 ,000,-
, 600, would produce no real and valuable re-
turn.
The call of the meeting stated proposition
for the erection OF continuous Railroad to
Pittsburgh, none of the gradients of which will
exceed 40 feet TO the mile, while the gradients
on the Baltimore Road, rise as high ASST feet.
: He thought, likewise, that the fear OF draining
the State Works of their business, was entirely
miounded; and he was certain that when it
should BE- known i'll the West, that "a com
: munication between Pittsburgh and Philadel-
; phia was opened always-Summer and Win
# ter-where one merchant had previously come
: ten would come to our city-and the bust
/ ness on the Public Works--instead of being
! drained would be increased four fold. Ma
=, ture, he said in conclusion, has done much for
70 us, let us now see what we can do for our
selves.
WILLIAM NJ. MEREDITH, Esq, then address
cd the meeting, upon the subject which the
l. meating was called to consider-and for the
\ exercise of a vigorous and united effort and hC
W proceeded TO argue at length in favor of the
~ route proposed, making such statements, ant
le presenting such details as served TO enforce the
ar perfect feasibility of the project, and of thu
\. necessity of carrying ii into eilect, in order &c
guard and preserve the trade of the Grea
Is West to the city of Philadelphia-the Stat,
n deriving from that possession a constant anC
ri increasing benefit.
n. He considered the efforts which are bein.
,s vigorously made in the cities of Boston, New
IN York, and Baltimore, and showed the natura
advantages which in addition to long posses
n. sion, our State, presents for the pertinent sc
no ctTity of the trade for which there are now 81
ii many active competitors.
IS In conclusion he remarked that he had hear
of tended to deprive Pittsburgh OF some ONE favort
n Railroad-but this feeling he entirely dis
Us claimed; and, on the contrary, if he had
feeling on the subject il was for the success
no oil Pittsburgh-a sister city TO our own an
dr bound to us by the best bond of affection
that OF a harmony of interest. Mr.. Meredit
ed then presented the following preamble am
20 resolutions
9. Whereas, the great Western Trade, willis
3 II contributes the largest portion of the freigh
ps has been. and continues TO be one of the chi,
of sources OF the prosperity of Philadelphia-th
ITO loss OF which would be severely felt by tn
les State at large; ana can be contemplated onl
Int with the most painful apprehensions by thi
ar community:
roe And Whereds, the most strenuous and ne,
severing efforts have been and continue to b
it made by rival Cities and States; particular
as by the construction OF railroads OH our North
Il c., -
ted extensions westward--to divert the trad
60 an travel as well from the Canals and Rail
an roads OF the Commonwealth, as from this he
To- chief commercial emporium--the accomplish
di ment OF which can only be prevented by time
a ly aud vigorous action on the part of our owI
citizens and Legislature:
G. And Whereas il has been ascertaincd h
rs careful and minute surveys, made under th
directions OF the Canal Commissioners, tina
he by pursuing the most direct feasible route be
W. tween Harrisburg and Pittsburg, a continuou
rail road. not exceeding 229a miles in length
of without inclined planes and with no gradien,
rec over 45 feet per mile, may be constructed
he a moderate expense, and with the best pro,
poets OF an adequate remuneration-makin
III; the whole distance from PHILADELPHIA TO Pitt,
no. burg Including the 1863 miles already i'm OF
ON eration,) only 1886 miles: being therefore sho
nth ter and better adapted 10 the nse of locomC
tives, and capable OF conveying freight an
passengers in less time and TO greater advaI
ms tage than by any other known route betwee
of the Eastenand Western waters i'm this Stat
the OF elsewhere: Therefore.
, of Resolped, That in order to secure and mail
tain for this city the important advantag,
which nature has placed within her reacl
To and to which, from her character and position
or she is justly entitled, and for the Common
wealth all the benefits of which her publ
re. improvements are susceptible, it has becon
the alike important and expedient, thata Rail 70,
red without inclined planes and with modera
gradients be forthwith constructed by II
most direct feasible roufe hst,xeo, uarr;.L,,