Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-04-25
CnAmRER OF COMMERCE.


BY the statement Of the Treasurer O.
.he Memphis Chamber Of Commerce,
present at a meeting of henderson Mon.
day, We find the receipts of the Chamber,
from October, 1865, to April, 1865, to have
been $3.50 25; and the expenditure
S5,S5s -; leaving a balance on hand Of
S12I O5.
The following communication relative
TO the Memphis and Little Rock rail-
road was read:
MEMPHIS, April u, 1867.
W. NJ. Far ing on, ESq President Chamber
Of commerce, Memphis. Tenn:
Dear SLr: some months since, through
the columns Of a daily paper, | veDtured
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. RegardiBgit then as infinitely
paramount to all others, 1 have seen
nothing % change my opinion since, but
much 10 strengthen IL.
Recent events connected with the con-
~struction Of other roads west of the Mis-
sissippi, have for Us a peculiar signifi-
canoe, and cal for the prompt and ener-
getic action Of our people.
Congress has just given large grants OF
land for the construction OF the Iron
Mountain road from Pilot Knob to Hell
eua, and a similar grant for the construc-
ton of the Cairo and Fulton road, from
Cairo to Little Rock and on Southwest
ward. This last named road will soon
be put under contract from Burlington
TO Little Reck ria 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.
l do not speak at random. EVENT. these
facts were not SO now, the interests of
Chicago, Cincinnati and ST. Louis Ito say
nothing Of the North Atlantic cities,
would demandi it. \ glance at the map
will convince all of this.
The question GOV 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 a city subscription ample enough
TO complete it from Memphis to DuvalPs
Bluff.
II { hllfllNlA % hlAAhIN ht AtAllLcl AOE
that end, il win be economy for her to
give it. Ten times that amount depends
upon her timely action. She has given
millions to aid in the construction Of
railroads but these millions havealways
come back 10 her. multiplied again and
again. She has never yet lost a dollar
by any such subscription. On the con-
trary, the completion Of one railroad has
always given her more ability TO build
another.
Let her give timely heed to such pal
pabie considerations as these, and secure
the early completion Of this great west
ern avenue of commerce. As has been
said a thousand times, 1.-THE West builds
up the East Memphis is justnOw in a
condition and position to estimate this
with truth. She must temporarily pass
over all her other railroad property, and
give her undivided energies 10 this before
other outlets may be furnished for the
vast trade annually s%pringing up in Ar
kansas. If the city has no right, through
her charters, TO subscribe a mIlion-in
bonds for this road, let the Legislature be
petiti0ned TO grant that authority, and
then leave it to the people to oppose it.
Pardon me if 1 have thought il best to
enlist our merchants in this matter,
through you, as the President of The
Chamber Of Commerce. know no body
of our citizens so wei qualified 10 pass
Judgment upon it. OF 50 likely to give it
efficiency If that judgment be favorable.
Your friend, Ut TRFZEvANT
Capt. Hainer made some sensible re-
marks as to referring the matter TO the
consideration Of the people, and accord
ingly offered the following resolutions,
were adopted:
Reso1rod, By the Chamber OF Com
merce, that the completion Of the Mem
phis and Little Lock railroad az an early
day is most important TO the interests Of
fhis community, and that the cOmmuni-
Of j. 7. Irrelevant be published in
the city papers.
ResOivod, Thata meeting Of the Cham
Der Of Commerce be held on Friday
next 1t 3 O'Clock, in this Chamber, for
tire consideration of the great railroad
enterprises that are now being agitated,
and which are of vital importance 10 the
best interests Of Memphis, and that the
capitalists and citizens of Memphis are
cordially invited 10 attend, and partiei-
pate in the proceedings.
After a few observations in reference to
the Iron Mountain railroad by Capt.
Wright, and the transaction Of other
business, the Chamber adjourned.