The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-12-07
RAILROAD MEETING.


Of taking the necessary steps To secure !:
gran, OF land Of the general government. to
as.s, in building n railroad from the Mis-.
sissippi to the Missouri river. when,
On motion, DIR. J. Hall was called TO the
chnir. md J. A. Parvin. of Bloomington,
and james Thoring,on. ct Davenport, ap-
pointed secretaries; when,
On motion, II committee consisting Of
Messrs. Battellc. Price, Cummins, Fulton,
md lset,, was appointed 10 draft preamble
and resolutions expressive Of the object of
this convention; who through their chair
man, reported The following
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, Tho history of all countries
proves conclusively, that jus, in proper
ilnn MS the citizens have been intelligent.
industrious, and energetic, ih the same
proportion have those countries prospc-
red, and taken rank among the nations
Of the world; aud
Whereas, The country VIC are privileged
to occupy is cqualled hy few, and surpas
sed by none. IN its agricultural and min.
crnl productions, and needs only the aid
OF art, To n rcry small Crteaf, 10 dcYe-
ore her imme,..s natural resources.
therefore.
Resolrea, That it is the duty Of every
citizen ct Iowa to lend his cxcr,ons TO
place in their proper light the facilities Of
this northwestern region:
RcSolrcd, That railroad is the best
n nd III H. .Cs
ton, lnasmuch as it is MT affected bv the
many causes which affect other modes of
transportation:
Rcsoirca, That j. ia duty we owe our
selves and our posierity, 10 pu. forth every
cxettion for the accomplishment OF this
great work. mud thereby place ourselves, as
successful competitors, side by side with
tho Atlantic states:
Rcsolred, Tha, the fac, of railroads be-
ING source Of prof, when constructed and
lcp, in repair in rough and mountainous
countries, should forever silence obi lotions.
on this head, inasmuch ~ ono hal, the ex-
pcnsc OF constructing an eastern road is
sufficient for this:
Rcso!red, That by the construction Of n
chain OF railroad from The east to west. we
not only add to tho value of every mans
property within range %! the improv ements.
ono hundred per cent; but also dcvelope
The resources ct an immense aud fertile re-
gion Of country, and open. at once CASH
market for our surplus productions at re.
munerating prices, thereby beneiiting the
country generally, and producing great
and permanent advantages which can lie
| effected in no other way:
Rcsolrcd, That this convention urge
upon our representatives IN the State Leg
islature 10 mcmorlalize Congress without
loss al time. for the construction Of n rail-
road from Davenport To the Council Bluffs
Hesoired, Tha, il is not only cxpedien;
and practicable. but the urgency Of the
case lin view OF the vast advantarcs 10 re.
sui from it, imperalively demand that the
citizens OF Iowa take immediate steps 10
assist, by purchase Il stock. aud otherwise
in the construction III the Rock Island mud
Peru railroad. aud thereby add one ycrv
importan, link in the chain OF improve
menis:
Rcsolred, That it is essential thu, the
citizens Of central Iowa, anxious to secure
from Congress their share ot any grant OF
land congress may gran, for the purpose OF
public Improvement, should join upon some
project which will unite all interests in
building railroads:
Rcsolrcd, Tint it is the opinion Of this
convention that any road, uniting the Mis-.
sissippi with the Missouri, should leave the
Mississippi at Davenport, and pass ives,
through Bloomington. Iowa City, and the
Raccoon Fork OF the Desmoines:
Rcsolrea, That we regnrd !, not only as
the duty. but the true interest OF the United
States Government. 20 grant lands for such
improvement. in view o.' the enhancement,
such work will give to the price Of the
public domain, such lands being now innc-
ccssible to market, and almost worthless.
On motion, a committee OF ten were mp
pointed whose duty it shall be to attend nny
Convention in connection with my sim.
liar committees that NAV assemble nj Iowa
City or clsewerc. and Ia use their excrlions
to forward the object Of this convention,
aud that they ba instructed to ascertain,
in connection with other conventions, the |
qunntity Of land necessary for said road,
and SEQ that the proper memorials and pc.i.
tons arc framed and circulated. to procure
the srme nnd to procure. nv their excr,ions
q survey of the contemplated route by Of.
iicien, persons; that they have power, also.
10 fill vacancies in their own body; said |
committee to be composed Of tho following
gentlemen:
Jas. Grant. c. Weston. L. Cook, S. II. |
Miller, ]. ID. Evans. Jas. Thorington. DR..
White, A. &. Fulton, Y. NJ. Firor, and ].
Morehead.