The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-02-12
sorJTHERN AND SOUTH
coME5ERCIAL CONVENTION
Fourth, (amd lasG Day.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY A.


President Tilghman called the Convention
to order at half past IL O'Clock.
The following resolution, after lengthy
discussion, was adopted:
ResoIred, That the Senators and Represen-
tatives in Congress from the Southern and
South Western States be requested to vote
for no law granting appropriations IN aid OF
ocean Mail lines terminating at any Nor
thern port, without the insertion OF clause
binding the Government to extend like aid
to line or lines that may hereafter be es-
tablished between ports Of the Southern
States and Foreign ports.
Col. Walter Gwinn, of North Carolina,
offered the following preamble and resolu-
ton, on which the previous question was
moved and sustained, and the vote being
taken on the main question, it was carried
unanimously.
''Whcreas, under she existing tariff laws
of the United States, DUTY of 30 per cent.
is levied on the article of Rail Road Iron,
imported into this country from abroad;
and, whereas it has been, for some time
past, the settled practice of the Govern
ment to adjust the duties on imports to the
revenue standard-and it being now appar-
emf, from the annual report of the Sccreta-
" of the Treasury, that a large surplus,
derived froE. duties on foreign commerce,
has accumulated in the Treasury, beyond
the wants and expenses of the government;
and whereas, the successful and ecOnomi-
cal prosecution OF the rail road system in
the United States, is seriously embarrassed
by the present heavy, and now unnecessary
taxation on rail road iron imported from
foreign countries, whence alone adequate
supplies are obtained, on cheaper terms even
with freight added, than the domestic arti-
cles can be furnished-Thereforc
''Resolued, That it is the decided opinion
of this Conv entiQn that the said duties On
rail road iron ought to be repealed or greatly
reduced"
Gen. Green of Texas, offered the follow
ing preamble and resolutions, which were
read, put to vote and adopted
Whereas, The construction of a railway
from the valley of the Mississippi river to
our Pacific coast, will promote the develop
ment Of agriculture, the mines, and COM
merce, the defence of that coast in time of
war and its preservation to the Union in
time of peacc-Therefore,
RcsoIccd, That considerations of COM
parative grade, climate and economy of
| constructing, maintaining and working the
proposed rail road. is indicated by the ''I'er-
| as WcStcrn Rail Road Charter,' upon the
line of 30 deg. north latitude, crossing the
entire State of Texas, and intcrsecting the
Rio Rrande at or near FL Passo, thence by
the route lately surveyed by Col. A. 3. Gray,
south of the river ella, to the State of Cali
| fornia, where said river unites with the
| Colorado of the West.
ResoIved, That as said road is now I'M
der active construction, it is hereby recon-
mcndcd that the Legislature and citizens of
the Southern and South Western States aid
by all necessary means the speedy building
of said road. and to unite with this main
trunk, branches intersecting the Mississippi
at New Orleans, Eicksburg, Memphis. Cairo
and St. Louis.
Mr.. Myer Myers, of Norfolk, offered the
following resolution, which was adopted:
Resolred, That committee of six be ap-
pointed to memorialize the Legislatures of
Southern and South w cstern States to I'M
lite with the State of Virginia in the forma-
ton of line or lines of Atlantic steamers
to ply between Hampton Roads and other
ports of the South and Europe-and that
said committee are authorized to adopt such
other measures in furtherance of the object
as they may find expedient and proper.
The President appointed the following
gentlemen as the committee called for by
Mr.. Myers resolution Messrs. Myer My
| ers, John E. Doyle and Geo. Blow, of Nor
fork, II. c. Cabell, Wyndham Robertson,
Jas. B. Ferguson, Jr.. of Richmond.
Mr. Richard G.. Morris, of Richmond, of
fered the following resolutions, which were
adopted:
RcsolUed, That it is cxpcdient for South
ern Legislatures to release from the license
tax all direct importation from foreign coun-
tries, and adopt such other measures as
will protect and advance Southern COM
merce.
Resolved, That it is expedicnt that South
ern manufactures should in all cases be used
when they can be procured on as advanta-
geous terms as northern manufactures.
ResoIred, That Southern men ought to
patronise Southern literary institutions, and
use books published in the South when they
can be procured.
Rcs0Lred, That in excursions for health
or pleasure, preference should be given to
watering places and other localities on
Southern soil.
Mr.. p. V. Daniel, Jr., of Richmond. sub
mitted the following resolution, which was
adopted:
ResOIred, That committee Of nine be
on, ,tol l.. ~ Il 4