The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-06
Railroad Convention.

AT an adjourned convention of persons in
terested in railroads, held at the National Hotel,
in the city of Washington, on the Cd of March,
1852, Mr. A. NJ. Paxton, president of the South
ern Railroad Company of Mississippi, was called
to the chair, and Oliver Phelps, esq, was chosen
secretary; and the following resolutions were
submitted and unanimously adopted:
/. Resolued, That inasmuch as, under the au-
thorty to establish post-offces and post roads,
Congress has monopoized the transportation of
the mails, it is therefore the duty Of Congress
to give the greatest possible efficiency to the
Post Office Department Of which it is capable,
having due regard to economy and the proper
application of the public funds.
2. Resolved That inasmuch as the mails are
and ever must be carried at less time on rail
roads than by any other means of conveyance,
it is the duty of Congress to authorize such
mail contracts with railroad companies as may
be most acceptable to such companies, provided
such contracts will secure equal service at no
greater cost to the department.
g. Resolued That to go modify the laws regu-
lating mail contracts with railroad companies as
to authorize contracts for the perpetual use of
railroads, by paying to such companies an
amount of five per cent. coupon bonds, charge
able upon the revenues of the department, upon
which the interest at six per cent, would be
equal to Il just compensation for the services to
be rendered, would greatly aid many railroad
companies, and greatly increase the resources
and efficiency of the Post Office Department,
by reducing its expenditure.
4. ReSOlred, That inasmuch as the proposed
modification Of mail contracts will give to the
Post Office Department the perpetual use Of
railroads, the compensation should relate to the
service to he rendered, and that the probable flu
ture increase of population and mailable matter
should be considered.
5. Resolred, That committee of five menu
bers be appointed, whose duty it shall be to
urge upon Congress such modification of the
laws regulating mail contracts with railroad
companies as is suggested in the foregoing resou-
tons, and with authority TO correspond with rail-
road companies and persons interested, inviting
their co operation in carrying into effect the OBJ.
jects of this meeting, and to invite another meet
ing of persons interested, if, IN their opinion,
it be deemed expedient
g. Resolued, That this meeting approve of the
proposition submitted to Congress by Messrs
Daft Green g. Ben. E. Green, for modification
of the laws regulating mail contraets with rail-
road companies, and tender to them our thanks
for their advocacy thereof; and whereas it will
give greater efficiency to their support Of the
measures aforesaid and inasmuch as each rail-
road company will have more or less business
with the Post Office Department and the gov
eminent of the United States, which may be
done with greater facility and economy by EN-
ploying common agent resident at the seat of
government, we respectfully recommend the
several railroad companies to avail themselves
of the services of Messrs. Duff Green g. Ben.
f. Green as their common agents at Washing
| ton.
7. Resolpcd, That this meeting approve of
the proposition to publish in New York and
Washington city newspaper to advocate the
interest of railroad companies, upon the plan
suggested in the prospectus of "4'he Medium "
and do hereby recommend to railroad compa-
MICS throughout the United States to aid it's
publication by making it common medium OF
advertisements, and giving it facilities for send
ing it to distant subscribers, and by giving free
transit over their roads to the editors and agents
The following gentlemen were appointed the
committee under the 9th resolution: H
Gen Duff Green, of Dalton, Georgia; Alfred
w. Scott, esq, of Montgomery, Alabama; Col.
f. Fontaine, president of the Central Railroad
Co, virginia; r. NJ. Stewart, president of the
Hannibal and st. Joseph's Railroad Co. Mis-
sour; Hon. A. T. Ellis president of the Cincin
natl, and Vincennes Railroad Co.
| When the convention adjourned
A. NJ. PAXTON, Chairman.
OLIVER Phelps, Jr., Secretary.