The southern press., 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 I'd of March,
1852, Mr.. A. M. 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:
i. Resolred, That inasmuch as, under the au-
thority to establish post.offices and post roads,
Congress- has monopolized 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 NAV
lie most acceptable to such companies, provided
such contracts will secure equal service at no
greater cost TO the department
8. Resolved, That TO so modify the laws regu-
ating mail contracts with railroad companies ms
10 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-
be rendered, would greatly aid many railroad
companies, and greatly increase the resources
and efficiency Of the Post Office Department,
by reducing its expenditure.
a. 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 10 tho
service 10 be rendered, and that the probable fu-
ture increase Of population and mailable matter
should be considered
5. ResOlped, That committee Of FIVE mem
bcrs be appointed whose duty IL shall be 10
urge upon Congress such modification Of the
laws regulating mail contracts with railroad
companiesas is suggested in the foregoing resoIu-
tons, and with authority 10 correspond with rail
road companies and persons interested, inviting
their operation In carrying into effect the OBJ
iecis Of this meeting, and 20 invite another meet
ing Of persons so interested, il, IN their opinion,
il be deemed expedient
G. Resolred, That this meeting approve of tho
proposition submitted TO Congress by Messrs
Duff Green a. Ben. L. Green, for modification
Of the laws regulating mail contracts with rail :.
road companies, and tender Ia them our thanks
for their advocacy thereof; and whereas It will
give greater efficiency 10 their support Of tho
measures aforesaid, and inasmuch as each rail-
TOdu COWpdtly VIII nave more OF 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 em :
ploying a 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 a. Ben.
Il. Green as their common agents at Washing
ton.
T. Resolved That this meeting approve of
the proposition TO publish in New York aud
Washington city newspaper to advocate the
interest Of railroad companies, upon the plan
suggested in the prospectus Of "The Medium !"
and do hereby recommend 10 railroad compa-
nics throughout the United States TO aid its
publication by making Il common medium Of
advertisements, and giving il 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
Gen. Duff Green, Of Dalton, Georgia; Alfred
V. Scott, esq, Of Montgomery, Alabama; Col.
r. Fontaine, president Of the Central Railroad
Co.. Virginia X. NJ. Stewart, president-of the
Hannibal and ST. Joseph's Railroad Co. Mis-
souri,; Hon. A. II. Ellis president of the Circin-
natl, and Vincennes Railroad Co.
When the convention adjourned.
A. NJ. PAXTON, Chairman.
OLIVER PHELPS, it,, Secretary.