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

was such that involved the welfare, not
only of Memphis, but of the entire South
ern country. He thought that mass
meeting Of the citizens Of Memphis
should be held, where the opinions of
many might be advanced who have so
far remained silent upon the subject.
Such meeting, he believed, would give
both tone and shape to our proposed
railroad enterprises The benefits to be
derived from such enterprises were meal
culable, and we should exert ourselves,
and give to them all the aid and support
which this community is able to render.
While Congress has been, and now is,
donating lands to others for similar pur-
poses, Memphis is idly sitting by, as if
her hands and feet we're hound together,
and capable of no action. The speaker
again adverted to the small meetings Of
the Chamber of Commerce, and could
only attribute to lack Of time the non
attendance of members, many Of whom
we're too busy in making or losing money
TO attend. In conclusion Mr.. Hainer Of
fered the following resolutions:
Resolred, By the Chamber of Com
merce, that the completion of the Mem
phis and Little Rock Railroad at an early
day is most important to the interests Of
this community, and that the communica-
ton of j. T. Irrelevant be published in
the city papers.
Resoiued, That meeting of the Cham
Der of Commerce be held on Friday next,
at 3 O clock, in this Chamber, for the
consideration of the great railroad enter
prises that are now being agtated, and
which are Of vital Importance to the best
interests of Memphis, and that the CAPT
talists and citizens of Memphis are cor
daily invited to attend, and participate
in the proceedings.
Upon the motion being made to adopt
the resolutions, Captain Wright arose
and said that he did not regard the Lit
tie Rock Railroad as of more importance
to the interests of Memphis than the St.
Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad and
its combinations. This railroad, said
Captain Wright, has an immense tract OF
country tributary to its support-sec-
tons, including Missouri, Kansas and
Nebraska and if permitted to run by
our doors, will have all of country, the
products and trade of which naturally be-
long to Memphis. Wherever the Iron
Mountain Railroad tapped the Mississippi
pi river, an effect similar to that of the
Illinois Central Railroad upon Cairo is
apparent. This road, were it to empty
at our doors, would be great advantage
to St. Louis, for, that city, suffering COM
mercally, by the blockade of ice in
winter, and the low water in the summer
season, could not be otherwise than inf
niteIy benefited by having the road run
through to Memphis, where its Southern
connections would be complete. He
ventured to assert that the stock of such
road would be worth more than that of
any road west of the Alleghanies. He
spoke of the little town of Helena voting
$4,000 for the survey of their road,
while Memphis, laying claims to the title
of "big" city, had so far failed to make
the slightest move in the matter The
question upon the adoption of the reso-
lutions being put, resulted in their adop-
ton by an unanimous vote The Secre-
tary presented the following as his annu-
al report: Cash received since the an.
mail meeting.