The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-30


Congress possess not the constitutional power TO
authorize the construction of the whole of the
road, 1t never will be made. For himself, he
doubted that power, as the constitution now Is; out
the construction of the road through territory over
which Congress had jurisdiction, would not mend
the matter. In short space OF time, California
would be admitted as State, and then national
road could not pass through her territory; so that
frontier, which would be of no real benefit. He
concluded by remarkng that if the resolution
should be referred, and come up as a feature OF
the resolutions OF the committee, he should oppose
it, and offer a resolution to memorabilia Congress
for the amendment of the constitution, so that the
power of Congress might be extended to the con-
struction of the whole of the road.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Smiths remarks, Hon.
Mr. Douglas, President of the convention, begged
TO be excused from the further occupancy of the
char, for reasons which shall inform you of fully
tomorrow. AT his suggestion, Mr.. Geyer, OF Mo-,
one of the Vlce-Presidents, was installed Presi-
dent Judge Douglas is now speaking, but as the
mail is about to close, must defer further partcu-
lars ARGUS.
ST.. LOUIS, Oct. Is, 1919.
The circumstances which led to the resignation
of Hon. Mr.. Douglas, as President of the conven-
ton, which mentioned In my letter of yesterday,
were about these:-On the night previous, after the
adjournment Of the convention, mass meeting
of the delegates and citizens was held in the rotun
do, without any particularly avowed object, further
than to talk about railroads and railroad projects.
This meeting Judge Douglas was called upon to
address, he being present. He complied, and du-
ring the course of his remarks animadverted, with
some severity, upon sentiments expressed the day
previous, by Senator Benton and others, In favor
of strictly central railroad one which would dis.
regard the claims of the North and the South, and
subsee, especially, the interests of the great cities
of the centre. He was very pointed in his stric-
lures upon st. Louis, end limited that the claims of
Chicago ard the interests of the Whitney route
were to be swallowed up by the grasping policy of
Cincinnati and ST. Louis. He was replied to by
Hon. ]. b. Bowlin, with much warmth and some
asperity and when the meeting broke up, it was
very evident that nothing had been done towards
healing the breach which has long, unhappily, ex-
listed between the sister States Of Illinois and
Missouri.
Yesterday morning, the course of Judge Douglas
was severely censured IN morning paper, tie Re
pUbitcdn-the chsrge being, that, President of
the convention he had violated property, by advo-
eating sectional claims In mass meeting AT the
usual hour, he took the chair; but at the termna-
ton OF speech by ex-senator Smith, OF Indiana,
IN which frequent illusions had been made 10 the
feelings evnced the previous evening, the Presl-
dent rose from his seat, and declared 1t vacated
He could no longer sit there, listening to sectional
speeches, and not be permitted to reply. He felt
that TO do justice TO those who had sent him to
the convention, he must reiDquish the honor which
had been conferred upon HIM His course at a
mass meeting, while exercising the right of free
discuss sion, had been censured by the press and
his motives called in question. This, together
with the events OF the morning, had led Ia the de-
cision he had announced. In retiring, he requested
that Henry ). Geyer, one OF the Vice Presidents,
should fill the chair. Mr.. Geyer accordingly be-
came President pro tenn, until afternoon, when MIR.
| Darsie, of Pennsylvania, was unanimously elected
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation OF
| Mr.. Douglas. This was not done through dlsre-
spec 10 Mr.. Geyer, but as he is a Mlssourian, it
was not desirable that the existing state of feel
| ing, a Missounan should preside.
| The business of the evening OF yesterday may
| be briefly summed up The Committee on Reso-
lutlons reported, through their chairman, the fol-
| lowing
/. Resolved, That this convention is in its spirit
and objects, strictly national, having no party no
sectional local interests to promote but
| ing at heart the interests OF the whole country
Resolved, That IL is the duty Of the Congress OF
construction Of great trunk railroad to the Pacific
ocean in California, with branch road to Oregon
,on,,r =, ,S s,t ~. h P sa, t OF on tue
tion and surveys, to be most eligible and convenient
with respect to the existing and prospective state
the country and the population and of the
whole Union aud that II should be diligently prosecu
ted by the federal government.
| Resolved, That the various lines Of railway now
either complete In process OF construction from
vsnpsh. Charleston, Richmond, Baltimore, Philsdel-
Ing with the Mssissppi valley are only parts of the
great whole which the general government asked to
oonsumma,e by the Mississippi and Pacific railway,
and that these eastern connections being prepsr
ed for II by uniting all interests guarantee the perfect
nationality Of this work.
Resolved, That as an important means, as neces-
ssry and preliminary to the construction OF such rail-
road II T. the first duty Of the American Congress ina
i.ins G upon ~ togs ,,s 70 make pro
western confines OF our western States to the Pacific
ocean, that these posts should be established pumer-
ously In all proper places, not fer distant from each
other and that civilized aud productive settlements
should be encouraged around them by be. 81 sales
grants OF the public lands BY extensing ample pro-
lection to the settlers and to the transport their
stores merchandise. &C., so that by those fun
opportunities may be afforded to our IN.
gineer. for the immediate and survey
OF our vast possessions reaching to the Pacific aud
or more safe practicable roads with facilities OF travel
immt diately formed for our citizens own
territories from the Atlantic TO the Pacific shores
D. Resolved That the Congress Of the United states
be m,morislzed TO construct, OF authorize the
struction Of . national line Of telegraph along the
route which may be determined by national autho-
riiy for the great railway to the Pacific.
Received. That = committee OF five be appointed
by the PRECEDENT of this conventions TO prepare and pub
ish address TO the people Of the United States urg
ing Their co operation In procuring such action on
III. part Of Congress may be necessary to carry
the Views OF this convention.
The question being on the reception Of this re-
port, the Hon. X. w. Thompson, Of Ind ana, one
OF the committee, rose IN opposition. He thought
RESOLUTIONS fell far short Of the objects Of the
convention, and that If nothing further be done in
the matter than what thus called for, the rail-
road would never be built lie spoke in a vey
forcible and eloquent manner for nearly two hours,
and concluded by offering the following amend
meni.--
Resolved. That in the opinion Of this convention Il
Is the dsty Of the general government to provide
early period for the construction ola central aud
tionsl railroad from the valley Of the Mississippi river
TO the Pacific ocean.
Resolved, That In the opinion Of this convention
grand trunk railroad, with branches to st Louis.
Memphis and Chicago would be such central aud
bstissAl one
Resolved. That committee be appointed to com nu-
nicate to the convention to be held at Memphs the
foregoing resolutions and to request the concurrence
Of tAd convention therein
This amendment, or rather substitution, was
carried unanimously, amidst the acclaim atoms of
the convention and spectators. II embodies, in
effect, the plan submitted by Mr. Loughb5rough,
and which was sncered at so much by the honora.
BILE Senator Of Missouri, IN attendance. Imme
dIately on Its passage, II was moved by Judge
Birch that the committee 10 the Memphis Conven-
ton should consist Of fifty. OF which committee,