Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-09-12
From the Asheyille Spectator.
Railroad. Convention.

From the Asheyiue spectator
Railroad Convention.
At Convention of the friends of Internal Improve
ment held at AshevilIe on the 26th August 1856,
On motion of N w. Woodfn, Esq, Gen. w. F.
Jones of Henderson called to the Chair as Pres
ident pro tenn ; and motion of j. w. Patton Esq,
[. B. Sawyer was appointed Secretary
On motion the Chair appointed the following gen
tlemen to nominate permanent officers for he Con-
vention Columbus Mills, John Baxter, John Burgn,
N. w. Woodfn and Mr. Edgar, of Tenn, who made
the following report
For Presdent-Gen w. F. Jones, OF Henderson !:
for Vice Presidents-Govan Mills, Jno. Alexander
and Mr.. Edgar for Secretaries-I. B. Sawyer, l. q.
Massie, which reported was adopted.
On motion it was unanimously agreed that all gen.
tlemen present should be regarded members of this
Convention.
On motion of A. S. Merrimon it was resolved that
committee of 10 be appointed to report bushes for
the consideration of the meeting. Committee
Messrs. N. w Woodfn, DR.. C. Mills, M. Erwin,
A. 5. Merrimon, Col. Perrin, DR.. Carriger Maj.
Davis COL Guion, D. Coleman and S. Sonley.
! On motion the Convention adjourned to meet again
at o'clock.
At O'Clock, the Convention having re.assembled
Col. Perrin, of s. C. from the committee on Resolu.
tions stated that the committee had not yet agreed
and asked further time 10 prepare their report.
| On motion of Col. Baxter, the meeting adjourned
till tomorrow, 81 o'clock.
| Wednesday Morning, 9Th
| The Convention met according to adjournment.-
Mr.. A. S. Merrimon, Esq, from the committee on
Resolutions made the following report accompanied
with speech in favor of the adoption
A majority Of the committee OF ten, TO whom was
referred report business for the meeting, beg leave
to make the following report:
The propriety not to say the necessity, of connec-
ting the Atlantic sea. board with the great MISSISSIPPI
pi Valley, by the construction of Railroad through
the valley of The French Broad River into North Ca
rolina, is conceded by every one. who has looked
well to the Agricultural, Commercial and h1echani-
cal interests of the numerous and large sections OF
country that would. be connected by the construction
of such road scheme of the character indicated
has long been thought Of and but for an unpecedent
ed pressure In monetary affairs at one time, and an
unnecessary clashing of interests at another, the con
tempated road would now be in process of consruc.
ton. This state of things has been much and deeply
regretted. But the day has now come, when the
Road must be built. and when conflicting and section
al interests must give way for the common benefit Of
two great section of country separated by the Blue
Ridge.
That the construction OF such road is eminently
practicable at a moderate cost, is now beyond ques
ton. Various surveys, made by Engineers OF the
most competent skill attest this fact, and the Report;
of those surveys now before the country.
In view of these facts, majority of your commit
tee beg leave 10 submit the following resolutions:
Resolved, l. That in the view of this Convention
communication by Railroad with the Sea- board, i:
necessary to the full development of the resources
this country and the energies of its citizens ane
that desires strong ardent as they nave
ever been, to have the work done.
Resolved, 2. That we have confidence in the int
gritty and zeal of the " Greenvle and French BroaC
Railroad Company" and that urge them by al
honorable means to press forward to the completion
of the work which they have begun.
! MIR. Erwin, OF the same committee, offered the
following resolutions as additional to those of the
committee
Resolved, I hat in the judgment of this Convention
the interest of the State of North Carolina and espe
cialy The interest of the Western counties of the
State would be greatly promoted by an early extern
sion of some of the public works now in process O
construction East of the Blue Ridge in this State to
point or points the Western borders of North Car
olina, TO connect with the Railroads projected O.
now being built in the State of Tennessee. Therefore
Resolved That the people of Western North Caroline
ask Tor nothing more than justice when they demand
that the State be required give her aid upon liberia
terms to assist those of her citizens interested in TIT
construction of the road, extending either the Viii
mingon and Rutherfordion Railroad the NORTH
Carolina Railroad west to the Paint Rock on th
French Broad River with branch leading through
the counties Of Haywood Jackson, and Cherokee, 10
some point in Cherokee county to connect with
road leading by the Duck Town Copper Mines to
wards Chattanooga in the State of Tennessee.
Considerable discussion was elected by MIR En-
wins Resolutions, in which Mr. Erwin, Col. Baxter
w. H. Thomas, Esq, Col. Perrin, H. w. Guion
Esq, N. W. Woodfn and Col. W. S. Dogan, of S. C.
participated, which latter gentleman particular
~ HdppI Ill IeplylES 10 Tie remarks OF MT. GulOn
OF Lincoln; after which N. w. Woodhn, Esq, of
fered the following amendment, to Mr.. Erwins Re
solutions, which was adopted:
RESOLVED, AS the sense of this Convention that i
but just 10 this section of the State that the Chare
of the Greenville and French Broad Road should b.
amended so as to the restrictions of the ninth
section thereof
The question then being the amendment O
Mr.. ErwIn's amended by Mr.. Woodfn ii wal
decided in the affirmative On motion the meeting
adjourned till 2 O'Clock
When the Convention reassembled at O'Clock
after an address from D. Carrger, of Ten, the re
solutions of the committee as above amended wer
unanimously adopted. The following resolution
were than passed:
Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention b.
rendered 10 the President, Gen. Jones, for the abb
and impartial manner, in which he has discharge
the duties of his position and the Vice President
and Secretaries for their prompt and efficient service
rendered.
RESOLVED, That the proceedings of this Convention
be published in the Asheville Spectator, Ashevill
News and all papers in North Carolina and Tennes
see, favorable to the action of the same
! The Convention then adjourned sine die.
w. F. JONES, Pres
r. g. S MASsIs' Secretaries