Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-04-24

MEMPHIS CHAMBER OF CoMMERCE.-I
Chamber of Commerce met at IL o'clock
yesterday, pursuant to adjournment.
The President, Mr.. W. NJ. Harrington, in
the chair The minutes of the preceding
meeting we're read and approved. The
following communication, from j. T.
Irrelevant, was read by the Secretary;
MEMPHIS. April IL. 1866.
W. NJ. Fdrringfon, Esq, President Chamber Of
Commerce, Memphis, Tenn:
DEARS SIR Some months since, through
the columns Of daily paper, | ventured
to call to the attention of our citizens,
and particularly of our merchants, the
vast Importance to all interests here, of
completing our Memphis and Little Rock
railroad. Regarding it then as infinitely
paramount to all others, | have seen
nothing to change my opinion since, but
much to strengthen it.
Recent events connected with the con-
struction of other roads west of the Mis-
sissippi have for US a peculiar signit-
canoe, and call for the prompt and ener-
getic action of our people.
of land for the construction of the Iron
Mountain road from Pilot Knob to
Helena, and similar grant for the con-
struction of the Cairo and Fulton road,
from Cairo to Little Rock and on South
westward. This last named road will
soon be under contract from Burlington
to Little Rock, via Jacksonport; and its
completion will damage Memphis, in her
Western trade, more than any other rival
line on either side Of the river. You may
rely upon its being soon under way.
do not speak at random Even il these
facts were not so now, the interests OF
Chicago, Cincinnati and St Louis, to say
nothing of the North Atlantic cities,
would demand it, A glance at the map
will convince all of this.
The question now arises, what should
Memphis do to protect her interests in
that rapidly growing Western trade ?
She should rely upon herself, as she has
always done. She should lay aside for
the present all other railroad schemes,
and give to the Memphis and Little Rock
Railroad city subscription ample
enough to complete it from Memphis to
Duvall's Bluff
ia million of dollars be required for
that end, it will be economy for her to
give it. Ten times that amount depend
upon her timely action. She has given
millions to aid in the construction
of railroads; but these millions have
always come back to her, multiplied
again and again. She has never yet lost
a dollar by any such subscription. On
the contrary, the completion Of one rail
road has always given her more ability
to build another.
lie. her give timely heed to such pal
pable considerations as these, and secure
the early completion of this great West
ern avenue of commerce As has been
said a thousand times, " the West builds
up the East" Memphis is just now in
condition aud position 10 estimate this
with truth She must temporarily pass
over all her other railroad property, and
give her undivided energies to this, be-
fore other outlets may be furnished for
the vast trade annually springing up in
Arkansas. IL the city has no right,
through her charter, to subscribe a mil
lion in bonds for this road, let the Legs
lature be petitioned to grant that author
ity, and then leave 1t TO the people To
oppose it.
Pardon me IL have thought II best to
enlist our merchants in this matter,
through you, as the President OF their
Chamber of Commerce. know no body
of our citizens so well qualified to pass
Judgment upon it. or so likely 10 give 1t
efficiency If that Judgment be favorable.
Your friend, J. I. IRRELEVANT.
After the reading Of the cOmmunica-
ton, Mr.. Hainer arose and said that he
was sorry to observe so little interest
manifested in this matter; and particu-
larry was this lack Of interest apparent
among our properiy-holders. The nun
Der present at this meeting, Mr.. Hainer
remarked, was altogether too small to
take definite action in the matter, as it