Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-03-29
Railroad Meeting.
A. J. SYKES, Sec'ry.

was held at the Court house, on Saturday the 23c
instant to learn something more of the present con
Slition, and further prospects of the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad The Rev. Samuel Butler call
ed to the chair, and W. c. Mills appointed secre
tary.
Capt Childe, the Chief Engineer of the Road
being present, was invited to address the people,
and did So until the hour had arrived for opening
the court, when, motion, the meeting adjourn
ed to convene again on Monday the Oath inst, du-
ring the recess of the court.
Accordingly, on Monday, the meeting re-assem-
bed, and in the absence of Rev. Mr.. Butler, Judge
George r. Clayton, called to the chair. On
taking the chair, Judge Clayton made some peril
nent and practical remarke in regard to the early
difficulties, and finally triumphant success Of the
Railroad system in Georgia 1t had converted
exhausted, deserted and wasted lands into produc-
tive plantations stayed the tide of emigration, in
creased her population, and given her the pre-em-
inencc over all the Southern States in Importance,
prosperity and wealth.
Capt. Chde was then requested to resume his
explanation of the affairs and prospects of the Mo
bile and Ohio Railroad He gave brief history
of its progress-said that there thirty three
miles nearly completed, that every thing had been
purchased to put it in running order, In the next
three months. The contract for the next forty
miles has been made, and would be commenced,
Just as soon as the people of Mississippi manifest
ed a determination to take hold of the work and
run it through her borders. 1t was necessary that
the road-bed should first be made by the counties
through which it passed, and then the lands would
enable the company to obtain the iron, machinery,
carriages G5e., put it in complete working order
He dwelt particularly the superior advanta-
ges of this road over every other, IN facility and
cheapness of its construction, in its uncommonly
low grade, thereby enabling three engines to pro-
pei as great burden over it, as ten engines OF like
power can carry over the most costly roads IN the
country-its being the shortest route from the
3akes and northwestern waters to the gulf-in the
absence of all prospect of successful competition
by any other road-and in the large contributions
of travel and freight from various central points not
Immediately on the line but near enough to make
1t the interest of all parties to connect by branch
These and many other points were presented,
which cannot be noticed.
The policy and management of the directors
were to avoid mourning debts, and to secure the
collection and faithful expenditure of all moneys
raised here. They have appointed special agent
for this purpose in this State--that agent is DR..
Cunningham of Noxubee county, and he will in
spire confidence wherever he goes. He will col
Iect and pay out the moneys to the contractors as
they become due for work done here-aIwayS re-
ceiving twenty five per cent. of the monthly pay
ments as a surety for the completion of contracts
Mobile stands ready to redeem her promise to bring
the road to the south line of Kemper, if the peo-
pie here will respond by making the road-b thro'
the remaining portion of this State. This they
must do before they look abroad for aid, but when
this is done any assistance can be obtained by the
credit which our lands will give us,
But he especially urged the necessity of the
simultaneous cooperation of the people IN the diff
ferent States in order to secure the entire compile
ton of the road in two years and half instead of
making it is short parcels, and being FIVE or ten
years. He showed by arithmetical calculation that
the use of the road for two years and half would
reimburse the entire cost of grading to the people
benefited by it, in the cheapness of the articles
supplied for ordinary consumption, without refer
ence to the enhanced value of real estate, or the
profits of the stock. The latter he thought could
not be less than fifteen per cent.
Finally he said that the matter now rested with
the counties along the route in Mississippi, to de-
termine whether the road should be constructed
speedily, and thus bring wealth and prosperity to
our doors at once or whether it should be protrac
ted through many years,
Tennessee and kentucky were ready and anx-
ious to do their part whenever they saw the Mis-
sissippians awake to their true interests They
faltered not before the rough and brstlng heights
of Monerey-they quailed not before the death
dealing artillery on the plains of Buena Vista
and shall it be said that they withhold their sup
port from this, though peaceful, yet most noble
work one that will bring prosperity, and scatter
blessings like sunlight over this land?
We have given the outlines of the address, but
can do no more. James Whitfield, Esq, then
moved the following resolutions which were adopted:
Resoloed That this meeting fully appreciate the
advantages that would accrue to the people OF
Lowndes county, by the speedy completion of the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad, with a branch road to
Columbus, and pledge ourselves, individually and
collectively to our influence and means, as far
as practicable in aid of this great enterprise.
f2esolued That committee of nine be appoint
ed bv the chairman to bring the bject of the Mo
bile and Ohio Railroad before the people of Lowndes
county, in such a way, and at such time, as they
may deem best, to solicit subscriptions for STOCK
both Individually and by vote of the county
ResolUed That in the event the vote OF the coun
ty shortly to be taken, should be IN favor OF ta1
for the purpose of taking stock in said road. the
scrip should be issued for the same to individual
or individuals paying the tax instead OF the county
and therefore request the members OF the Leg1sla
ture from this county, to their efforts to gel
the law so amended as to authorize the change II
issuing the scrip for stock as aforesaid.
The chair appointed the following gentlemen or
theeommittee named above:
j. b. Cobb, JAS Whitfield, John Gilmer, G
McClaran, G. H. Young, T. w. Harris, w. NJ. G.
MINIS, G. H. Harris, and Moses Jordan.
On motion the proceedings of this meeting were
ordered to be printed in the papers of this place
"hen 1t was adjourned.
~ G. R. CLAYTON, Chm.
W. c. MtI1pp Co..,