Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-10-19
RAILROAD CONVENTION.

According to previous arrangement delegates
from Iredell and Mecklenburg counties, assembled
in Convention at Statesvile the 4th inst for tho
purpose Of aiding the building Of Railroad from
Charlotte to Statesville, known as the Atlantic,
Tennessee and Ohio Railroad We find the pro-
ceedings in full in the Statesvle Express
The Convention was temporarily organized by
calling Andrew Springs ESQ.,, of this county, to the
chair. Afterwards, A. K Silnonton, ESQ, was
elected President and E. B. Drake and E. H. Brit
ton, Esq'rs, Secretaries.
The following gentlemen were appointed COM
mittee to prepare business for the action of the
vention: Jno A. Young, Geo. F. Davidson, R. l.
Mcdowell, Anderson Mitchell, Moses White, and S.
w. Davis. This committee made the following re-
port:
Whereas the Legislature of North Carolina at its
session of 185455 granted the Atlantic, Tennes-
see and Ohio Railroad charter, authorizing the con-
struction of Railroad from Charlotte, N. c., to
the Ohio river, with the proviso that the said road
should be commenced within five years from the
ratification of the Act; and whereas, the people of
Iredell and Mecklenburg having manifested desire
to commence said work. and complete speedily as
possible that portion of the road which will connect
the towns of Statesville and Charlotte, Therefore,
Be 1t unanimously resolred by this Convention,
That so much of said Atlantic, Tennessee and Ohio
Rairad as is necessary to connect the towns of
Statesville and Charlotte, shall be built; thereby
dL OilCc W Itlc w tSIeIil cAlcilSlOu
and the large country depending upon it for outlet
direct communication, by the shortest practicable
routes, to the Atlantic markets at Wilmington and
at Charleston
Resolred That the natural ridge dividing the wa
tiers of the Yadkin and Catawba, presenting as it
does an almost graded tract for 40 of the A miles
of distance between the towns of Statesville and
Charlotte, renders the work of easy and cheap
srncton, and brings it entirely within our control.
Resolrea, That we regard the privilege Of carry
ing the products of our labor to the best markets.
as of the rights guaratced to us, as free and
intelligent people, and that in order that we may
profit by this advantage, we hereby pledge our sub
stance and united enterprise to force this mpor
tant work to speedy completion.
Resolred, That the natural obstacles to tho con-
struction of this road inconsiderabe that it
can be built with as little cost as any road of the
same length in the Southern country, which, to-
gether with the large amount of freghts and travel
| that it may reasonably he expected to transport
ustiies the calculation on the part of the stockhold
crs Of a fair remuneration by dividends upon
| their investment.
Resolced, That in order to hasten the completion
| of this work, the entire road from Statesvie to
Charlotte shall be put under contract fast the
location shall be made, after the sum of 100000
shall have been subscribed, and that as the heavier
portion of said work will be in the county of Ire
DELL no portion of the funds subscribed in said
county shall be expended in grading the Road out
side of its limits.
Reso1red, That the commissioners appointed to
open Books of Subscription at the different points
designated be instructed to assemble in Charlotte
Tuesday the LIST day of November proximo, and re.
port the amount of stock that shall have been sub
scrbed to said Road
The convention was then addressed by R. I. Nc
Dowell, j. W. Osborne, VIM. Johnston, Rev. W. W.
Pharr, and Jno A. Young, and the report unani
mo,lsly adopted
The following resolution, offered by R. NJ Allison
was adopted:
Reso1rcd That IN the opinion of this convention
no railroad of the same extent can he constructed
which, when completed, will more fully develop al
extended region of Western North Carolina, or 81
much promote the success and prosperity of the n
c. Western Extension, the Wilmington, Charlotte
and Rutherford, and the Charlotte and South Caro-
lima Railroads, without affecting the legitimate bust
ness of other roads in the State.
On motion of r. I. Mcdowell it was
Rese!eoi, That this meeting djourn; when ad
jonrncd, to meet at Mount Mournc on Thursday tn
Goth of October and at Davidson College Oh Satur
day the ODD of October, being the week prccedin,
the County Court of Mecklenburg county; and tina
the commissioners be present to solicit subscriptions
Commissioners were appointed at Statesville, Mt
Mourne, Ford's Mills Wilkesboro, Taylorsvle, lie
nor, Morganton, Salisbury, Charlotte Davidson
College, Alcxandriana, Newton, and Mocksville, t.
open books of subscription