Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-07-12
President of the Charlotte and South Carolina

President of the Charlotte and South Carolina
Railroad /; Hon r. r. Bridgers, President and
Col S. T.. Fremont, Superintendent OF the Will
mington and Weldon Railroad Maj. Henry NJ
Drane President, and General VIM. Mclsae, Su-
perintendent of the Wilmington and Manchester
Railroad A. S. Buford, President and Thomas
Dodamear, Superintendent of the Richmond and
DanviIle and the Piedmont Railroads; and John
M Robinson, Acting Director of the Seaboard
and Roanoke Railroad.
The following officers were elected
President-J Edgar Thompson, President Penn
sylvania Central.
Vice PRESIDENT. Ell. Sturgeon, President North
| Missouri Railroad.
Secretary-S. L. Fremont, Engineer and Su-
perintendent Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.
committee of five were appointed to memo
rialize Congress demonstrating against the present
| proposed tariff railroad iron.
| Mr. Ramsey President Albany and Susquehan-
Ia Railroad, offered the following resolution,
which was referred to the committee to memorial
ize Congress
Eesoced That in the Judgment of this Convention the
most OF the rates were established and limited by law
whist almost other department Of
and trade there is no limit to the amount which may
be charged thus clearly showing the wisdom OF
| permitting the law to remain as it is
| On the second and last days session, the fol-
lowing memorial to Congress was adopted after
much discussion:
To the Honorable the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives OF the United State in Congress assembled
The National Convention of Presidents, Superntend-
and Chief Engineers of Railroads assemb at Phil
there present increase of the existing tariff
f%n and sG s fe hs tbss9
among others that might be presented for your con-
Because it is manifesy interest of the Govern
ment that every encouragement should be given to the
the resources of the country instead of scouagng them
i'll doing by evyinG heavy tariff to be added to the
Because it is manifesy mpolitic and unjust to place
burdens upon the efforts of the people to develop the
Because it places the Government i'll the inconsistent
position of annually making large appropriations to i'm
prove rivers and harbors, of donating the public lands
loanng her public credit to build railroads to
modae commerce and develope the resources OF the
country whilst tho other hand levies by tariff
burdens on Independent railroad companies that ask
nothing from the Government further than that the libe-
aty of her citizens be not taxed for developing the
sources of the country. :,
roads and more employees engaged with them than
| in The rolling mills.
other materials required in building railroads is to
require that sum from the people already too poor to raise
the to build their roads without having resort to
whereby often they loose the whole stock in
e. Because by discouragng the building of railroads
you retard the development of the country and to that
lesson the ability of the people to meet the taxes
required for the support of the Government.
T. Because burdens the agricultural interests of the
country for the benefit of interest far less important
than the agricultural and railroad interests, which are
g. Because by increasing the cost of railroads you in
crease the of be raised by stockholders
and the cost of transportation to the farmer for all he has
to sell buy, and lessons the yearly profits of his farm to
g. Because if we are correctly informed
ests of the country at this time making div
dens and could well afford to have the tariff reduced if
they would be content with eight per cent div
dends on the capital invested while very large number
| OF railroads are now unable to pay dividends
TO- Because the cost OF iron rails the most expensive
item in railroad construction and REPAIRS under the
present tariff that well be questioned
pa a mot e @ o Of
cent earnings to purchase rails to replace those now
H. Because in addition to the cost of ocean transporta
ton freight, missions &C., of opinion that
will afford ali the protection that rolling mills
judcousy located and managed onaby ask, and
fixed will, by it's greater probabilities of stability o
for the iron interests of tho country than
In conclusion the increase of duties proposed
in the present Congress upon railroad iron would be
just and oppressive the extreme to the railroad inter-
country that the interests domestic
manufacturer, we'll the industrial pursuits Of the
whole country would not be promoted by such increase
the manufacture of iron in consequence of the want Of
stability and the danger of reaction to the other extreme
Ordered, That that the foregoing memorial be printed
and each member of the Senate and House OF Representa-
tives.
ReSOtCed That committee to consist OF members,
be appointed to visit Washington in relation to the tariff
on railroad iron.
The Committee Business reported the following top
les to be Their report was received and
mousy adopted: =
First The abolition Of the whole system of runners
commissions sales of tickets and other irregular modes
of obtaining business
Second The abolition great reduction Of free
passes, by general action, runous tax rail
roads.
Third. memorial to Congress requesting additional |
and adequate for travelling post offices and
ordinary mail service.
Fourth. memorial to Congress to the remis-
two cent stamp sufficient all railroad bills of ladin
the place of the present five cent stamp.
Fifth respectful memorial to the Postmaster Gen
era requesting him 20 discontinue such Sunday mails
the return of the public interest does not
absolutely require, so that Sunday trains not
employees have rest and the day be kept
Sixth. An adjournment to meet at the st. Nicholas
Hotel the third Wednesday in October next, and the
subjects pertaining to the details of railroad
ments.
Messrs. A. S. Buford Va; VIM. Johnston, N. c.. j. H.
Ramsey, N. Y J. H. Sturgeon Mo-; J. II. Bradley, Pa.
appointed the special committee to proceed to Wash
inSton.
Messrs. Carter of Texas, Fleming, of Illinois, and
Samuel Soan of New York, appointed Executive
Committee, to appoint the subcommittee, who should
have power to increase their MEMBERS to whom should
be referred the details of business to be cOnsd
cred The Executive Committee also directed to
slider and report the subject of nsurng the lives of
the employees of railroads from accidents while transact
ing their duties.
The Convention adjourned until the third We'd |
nesday in October next, to meet at the St. Nj ,llo-
las Hotel, New York. !
We understand that great harmony and good
feeling prevailed, and we venture the assertion
Conservative and national body of men did not