The true Democrat., 1856-09-16
Cairo and Fulton Railroad Meetino

CalIo ana EuIton Railroad Meeting.
 We have never received for publication any thing that gives us more pleasure than the re- solutions below adopted, by meeting of the citizens of Independence county, irrespective of parties. The resolutions express in toto our views-the views we entertained and put for ward two years ago. in relation to the disposal of the land grant to the Cairo and Fulton rail- road. Had such views been held by our last Legislature we verily believe the construction of the Cairo and Fulton railroad would have now been far advanced. Unfortunately for the country other counsels prevailed and nothing has been done.
 To make the lands granted to the State availa- ble for railroad purposes-to make them means to assist in the construction of road, they must be granted free of restrictions. Capitalists will not embark their means in an enterprise where the lands upon which the company rely for credit are so tied up with conditions as to make it doubtful whether they will not be forfeited. The restrictions and conditions thrown around them by Congress are sufficient beyond per- adventure.
 This subject we shall take occasion to discuss more fully during the next month. In the mean time we are rejoiced to see the people moving. The wind is setting in from the right quarter When the people themselves begin to manifest an interest and to move in the right direction, we feel an abiding confidence that all u,;l1h ha Tot tba olto speak out on this all-impor:ant subject. Hear old Independence:
 Railroad Meeting at Batesviile.
 On Friday evening, Sept 5th, 1856, pursuant to notice portion of the people of Independ- ence county, met at the court house, in Bates vile; when on motion of M. s. Kennard, esq.,, MT. A. w. Lyon was called to the chair, and on further motion of R. A. Childress, the chair appointed John c. Claiborne secretary. By request of the chair Judge Wm. c. Be- vens explained the object of the meeting to be, to give expression of the people of the ounty as to their sense of the exigences of the Cairo and Fulton railroad company with respect to the past and future legislation of our General Assembly to bestow the lands granted by Con- gress in aid of the construction of the said Cairo and Fulton railroad.
 Whereupon, Messrs. I. M. Moore, Jas. II. and w. K. Patterson, severally made speeches, 1 and showed very lucdIy the wants of the coun- ! try, and people upon the subject of this great work of public provement-and spoke with great aptness of the folly of past legislation, and what is demanded of the members elect, of the next Arkansas General Assembly.
 After which, Judge Bevens offered the fol- lowing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
 l. ResolUed, That as citizens of the county of Independence, we have noticed with no lit tie interest, the recent developments tending to strengthen confidence in the ultimate suc- cess ot the Cairo and Fulton railroad company in their great work.
 7. ResOiUel, That 1t Is the sense of this meet ing that the next General Assembly of the State, at the earliest period practicable, after its organization, by amendatory legislation or otherwise, as 1t shall deem best, remove the re- strlctlon attached to the attempted transfer of the federal grant of lands to the Cairo and Full ton railroad company by the monstrous act of the last Legislature-and to place the company III possession of the whole grant without further restrictions than those of the grant by Congress 3. Resolved, That we should be please to see especially, the counties along the line of the road, and also those throu, bout the entire State by public meetings, or as they may deem most efficient, give expression to public sentiment upon this interesting subect--and to use all avaabl. means to impress upon the minds of 1 the members elect, views similar to our own.
 f. Reso'ued That in view of the amount of money necessary to build the road, we cannot reasonably expect to invite the required capital from abroad, and the confidence of discreet railroad men, out of the State, in it, till the grant of lands shall be bestowed on the compa- ny on terms at once reasonable and just 10 the high interests involved.
 5 Rssolved That all papers favorable to said road be requested to publish these proceedings.
 Whereupon, the meeting adjourued. A. w. LYON, President. JNo. c. CLAIBORNE, Secretary.