Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-02-29
Observation-Disclosures
L.. ,,.u,,i,,,, ne ptnn,nl,Cntnlpn WAS held ut

MEETING OF STEANIBOATMEN
a large meeting Of steamboatnen was held at
Cairo, the 10th inst The meeting convened
il the cabin of the steamer Belle Sheridan. The
following preamble and resolutions we're adopted:
WHEREAS, From well authenticated Informs
ton, we believe that scheme is now projecting
among a number Of capitalists in Pittsburgh,
Louisville, Memphis and st Louis, (aidcd by the
principal Railroads in the West, j TO concentrate
in their own hands, not only the transportation
Of the United States Mail from Cairo to New
Orleans, but likewise the entire carrying and
and passenger trade between the above men-
toned points And, Whereas, as all monopolies
are opposed alike to the spirit of our government
andto the interests of Commerce--being calcu-
lated to raralyse individual enterprise, and to
establish dangerous monied power, at war
with the enterprise, skill aud individual capital
OF the Boatmaa at the West; and inasmuch as
the Mississippi river aud its tributaries have
ever been regarded sthe highways and eTenues
from which at least one half of the Union derive
their prosperity and support Therefore,
Resolrsd, That we will oppose by all honora-
Die and reasonable means, any and every attemt
on the part of capitalists, here or elsewhere, to
concentrate in their own hands the immense car
rying trade and commerce OF the Mississippi and
its tributaries.
Resolrea, That we regard the project to es
tablish line Of packets between Cairo and New
Orleans as the incipient step towards the for
nation Of monopoly, destructive to indiVldu-
al enterprise, and ruinous to the commerce of
the West.
Rss0lesa, That in the opinion of this meeting
the independent and individual steamers now
navigating the Mississippi, are competent tocar-
~ the United States Mail, with as much speed
regularity and cheapness as can be accomplish
ed under any system that can be devised.
ResoIced That inasmuch us the present mail
contractors, between Cairo and New Orleans
are in no manner whatever concerned with any
steamboat monopoly, but have manifested dis
position to treat fairly all boats suitable for the
mail service, we hereby pledge ourselves to
extend to them every reasonable facility in
our power, to enable them to comply with their
contract.
RssoZreI. That in view of the above facts, VIC
recommend to the New Orleans Marine Associ-
atom to rescind all resolutions in regard to the
transportation ofthe mail between New Orleans
and Cairo
Rssozred, That we recommend to Messrs.
Eastman, Gaines & Co. to agree to pay two hun
drcd dollars, and no less, for mail service each
way, and that we will bind ourselves to carry
tner mails at that price, and advertise our boats
rs mail boats, using every effort to make time.
ReSOlrEd, That we recommend to all steam
boat owners out of any private association of
boats, to look well into this matter, and thereby
save themselves from would-be monster mo-
noply ofthe interests Of the South and West
now attempted to be carried into effect, with the
aid of the Government, TO the amount of 81, $40,
per day, in case the present mail contractors
fail between New Orleans and Cairo.
Resolced, 1t is recommended to the New Or
leans Marine Association, to take no action in
this matter, unless the contractors first agree
and establish the rate at two hundred dol
lara each way, and also bind themselves to
give the boats of the Marine Association in New
other boats
On motion, Re,olred That the proceedings of
this meeting be published in the Cairo 1imes
ind Delta, aud in the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati,
Louisville, St. Louis, and New Orleans papers.
RICHD. PHILLIPS, Chairman.
IosSPH T. BURDEAu, Sec'y.