The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-04-24
Pacific RAN Road Convention.

|
The Convention met at 10 o'clock. Several
letters were read, when the committee appoint
ed yesterday returned into the Convention and
reported the followin nominations
President-WM. B. OGDEN, of Illinois
Vice Presidents-Penn. E. A. Hawley; Del
c.. Dupont; N. j., Judge Harrington; Va, B
w. Cooper; o., H. Nelson; ILL.,, |. H. Good,
man; Iowa, H. R. Strong; Mo-, J. B. Bowlin;
N. Y. c. Coulton;1 Mich, j. .Biddle; R. L.,
Van Rensselaer, Stephens; Mass, P. F. Degrand;
Ark, J. H. Sherman; Lou, J. L. Robinson;
Tex, W. B. Ochiltree. ...., 49,.
Secretaries-Penn., T. Burch, Jr.; Mo-, A. B
Chambers; N. Y, J. Gray; Del, DR.. ]. w.
Thompson.
Mr.. Ogden made his very grateful acknowl-
edgments to the Convention for the honor con-
ferred upon him.
On motion, the following resolution was a.
dopted: ~, ~, "r -
Resolocd, That on all questions arising be-
fore the Convention, each State represented
shall have one vote, and for each five additional
delegates, another vote, except Penn, which
| shall have the same number of votes as the Sec
ond best represented State. 'r"t
| Mr.. Chambers laid before the Convention a
series of resolutions adopted by the St. Louis
Convention, (which were read and referred to
the Convention. -" ~ -
Mr.. Degrand rose and said, that he had Ger
tain views to offer, and plan which he wished
to have referred to the same committee. Mr.
Degrand's plan is, that private citizens shall put
in two millions of real money,-refered to the
same committee. A number ofresolutions were
adopted, and the Convention adjourned. 81
PHlLDDLpH1A, April 4th, 6 p. NJ.
| In the Convention resolutions were offered
and speeches made, proposing to make the Rail
road an individual affair
| Mr.. Chambers of Mo-, said he eschewed all
connection with private individuals or compa-
MES Of individuals-it is a national work, its
character is national-let the nation do it.
| A long letter was read from Col. Fremont;
the most important document yet presented to
Convention. He says in conclusion, 81 believe
in the practicablity of this work, and that eve
ry national consideration requires that it should
be done at once, and as national work by the
United States .:., -. ..
The committee on resolutions reported the
following, which were passed almost unanimous
ly. lis So. -.. ..aai. ,r~r.-s... ..s
RESOLVED, That in the opinion of this Conven-
ton, Railroad communication connecting the
navigable waters of the Mississippi with the nav
igable waters of the Pacific Ocean, is practical
BILE, and its construction is desired mediately.
1t is therefore, the duty of Congress, in some
way, to apply the energies of our country, so as
to secure the earliest possible completion of such
a work. ii .~...r.' @a
Rcsolred, That the work is national in char
acter, and should, therefore, be constructed by
national means. But to avert State and local
prejudices, the Government should confine its
operations to the country beyond the limits of
organized States,~ leaving the various branches
within the States to be constructed by such
means and such routes as the States may pre-
fer. .--lIf ,4-- .-.t,',..',,r
| Resolued, That to aid the States in carving
forward their lines to the main track, liberal ap.
preparations of public lands adjacent, be applied
as the States may consider most expedient. D
Resolued, That Congress be memorialzed to
take such steps as in its wisdom be deemed ex-
pedient to accomplish the great object contem.
plated in the foregoing resolutions, commencing
with thorough survey, by competent engin-
GERS, Of all the routes that may be considered
practicable ~ =" ' -, a ~,
! Mr.. Curtis of Iowa, spoke warmly in favor Of
the resolutions, and gave an interesting account
of the first idea and suggestions of Railroad a.
cross the continent from St. Louis. He oppos.
ed the plan of Mr.. Whitney; he was favorable
struction would be urged upon Csngress and the
Government \ .-,.--...I. ,....
s. The following resolution was also unanimous.
ly adopted. SlrFa, tt.sn ata}-54..,a..rc ,t .r,aH
Resolced, That this Convention recommends
to the American people, to urge upon Congress
by numerous petitions, to make early and am.
pie appropriations pf the most feasible route 70,
the construction of direct railroad to Califor
mia and Oregon from the Valley Of the Mssis.
sippi ia va .:s ,c tr5 ~. ,e.1 W. 49,. '' ., 1l'
The President, Mr.. Ogden, before vacating
the chair, delivered one of the most eloquent &
powerful addresses in favor Of the Pacific rail.
road, that we ever listened to, and received the
enthusiastic thanks of the Convention tg= ~
Shortly afterwards the Convention adjourned
The State hou ua..1 ~ No.. 1,..< Me-. .