The Van Buren press., 1860-01-20

From the Old Line Democrat:
Proceedings Of the
Railroad Convention at Little HocR'
TuEspAY EvENINa, JAN. 10, looo.
Ouite a large number of our own citizens,
with citizens of Fort Smith, van
Buren,, Clarksville, and other towns aSse,
bled in the Representatives Hall. to consiu-
or the plan OF connecting line of Rail
road from this city to Fort smith, Win the
Memphis and Little Rock Railroad.
John j. Trigg. Esq, called the meeting
to order, and nominated Ex-Gov Koane as
President of the meeting, Robt. i. team
and Ben. T. Hutchins, Secretaries Upon
taking the chair, Gov. Roane thanked the
Convention for the honor conferred upon
him, and said that he did not intend to
make a railroad speech, for if ne was pre-
pared, and felt inclined to speak. he must
remember that he had other duties to per-
form here tonight, and hoped to hear others
who were fully prepared to speak. lie said
the time for speaking upon. this question
was past, and action was the only thing
necessary to consummate this grand enter
prise.
The question is not whether Railroad
should be built or not, but the question is
what route, and what plan is most advisa-
BILE. To avow myself a Railroad man is
here. He said he was among
the first in this State to avow himself in
favor Of Internal improvements, and l do
not wish to detract anything from my opin-
ion here tonight. Applause.] l thought
| was right then, and the more l consider
this question, and the more l study this
plan, the more am l convinced of its i'm
portance. l am willing to advocate this
measure in an official or public capacity,
and he who does the most for the Railroads
in Arkansas, will do the most for her future
prosperity and advancement. Applause. ]
Without Railroad in this State she can
never succeed, ard can never obtain that
position in this great galaxy of States,
which the hand of nature has destined her
to stand. When a Railroad is constructe
to the Western boundaries of our State, no
power on earth can prevent it from going
to the Pacific. 1t is no figure, no declama-
ton, but it is a simple and stern fact, and
unless we do onr duty, and that soon, Ar
kansas will stand alone in this Union as
one who has not done her duty. And gen.
tlemen, unless we go forward soon, a Rail
road will be started from st. Louis or
N shs Sasi snd Sic" He sad have
no debts, Arkansas has only small float
ing debt which was incurred by the State
Banks, and this will soon be wiped out"
Having spoken short time concerning this
State debt, he thanked the meeting once
more for the honor conferred upon him.
Hon. Jesse Turner, of Crawford Co..
of ho I,
called nrccG. nrc:., spoke in very harrryy manner
He said he came down with other delegates
to consult concerning the Union Of the
roads. He said that the people in the
Western portion of Arkansas, thought that
this should be the centre of the great route
to the Pacific. He coincidcd with the views
of the Chairman, concerning State aid, and
the State debt. He hoped, also, that the
public press would take hold of this great
enterprise and help push this movement
along.
Mr.. Robinson, President of the Memphis
and Little Rock Railroad being called upon
remarked that he vas practical man, and
not a speaking man. and that he had enjoy
ed a rich treat in listening to the speeches
Of the gentlemen who have spoken before
him. He said that the people of Memphis
were interested in this great work, and to
show that they were sincerel y interested in
the work. they had put their hands in their
pockets and had built road 40 miles in
your State, and they only wish you may
do as much with the same spirit. He said
the road from this city to White River was
in good and fair way of completion, and
hundred men were now at work grading
and preparing the road to lay the iron.
Capt. Danley of the Gazette, and Thorn.
as c. Peek, Esq, of the Old-Line Demo.
crat, both advocated the building of these
roads, and both were in favor Of Interna
Improvements IN this State.
John F. King, Esq, of Fort Smith, mad,
most capital and practical speech. 1t is
in credit due to Mr.. King, to say that pro
badly no man in the State has taken sucl
an interest in this work as Mr. king. Ii,
spoke of the importance of uniting thi.
road. He also said that plan of this roat
had been laid out and an efficient Engineer
was already surveying the road and h,
proposed to unite the influence, and inter
ests of these roads, and build them iointl,
to the Western frontier, and expected t.
call upon the State for aid. He spoke O
the great mineral resources which aboun,
throughout the whole Indian country.
Mr. Wassell of this city, offered the fol
lowing resolution which was unanimousl,
adopted
Resolved, That this meeting urge upo,
our Delegation in Congress the importanc
of extending the time allowed by the Con
gressional grant of lands for building road
IN Arkansas, to such period that tn
whole grant may be made available.
Col. Thomason, of van.Buren, made
few. remarks in favor of this movement. an,
urged upon ths convention iminodiaeS sct;on n
Charles Bertrand made some appropriat
remarks. He showed what other State
had done in the past few years for Railroads
and then asked the convention what Arkan
sas had done?
Letter from No1 r;uS.~.-