Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-25

e4tronaities Almost touching Georgis, peepin,
through Alabama, washing the northern shore O
Mississippi, and finally crossing the State Of Ken
On the shores of this river are grown every agri
cultural production Except sugar. that is known {,
the commerce Of the United States. Grain, cottor
and tobacco are grown successfully in their respec
tive climates from Knoxville TO Paducah All tn,
minerals are found in great abundance on th,
Shores for eight hundred miles of its length ant
every kind Of timbers that grow between the lati
tude Of 24o and 30 is found either on the river
bank or within few miles Of it.
! In consideration Of the foregoing facts the uh
dersigned delegates from Colbert county Ala are
necessarily compelled to conclude that but for the
difficulty and uncertainty Of the navigation of the
Tennessee river, 1t would be as important in com.
mereia and national point of view as the Ohio and
carry TO market great variety Of the productions
/ Of the earth both vegetable and mineral The
same reasoning which brings our minds 20 believe
that the removal of the distractions in the Tonnes
zee river wonld add to the wealth Of the nation.
forces them 10 the conclusion that It should be done
We have not kept ont Of view the most important
consideration n this, well hs in all other enter
prses viz the possibility of its being done whether
OF not the nation was capable Of doing the work.
and also its probable cost. We think the work can
be done, that il is within the capacity Of the Uni
ted States and the cost not up to the estimates of
pablo works now in progress of merely local inAu-
ence of doubtful utility, and which in no event add
single blade Of grass to the productions of the
United States
The undersigned have some practical knowledge
Of the Tennessee river from the foot of the Muscle
Shoals 70 Paducah, distance Of three hundred
miles. We know the nature and extent Of The OBJ
struetisns, and also the injury to commerce and ag
rieultuTe consequent thereon but viii not trouble
the convention with details which can be better
seen from DID, as we'll recent surveys of the river
We however, beg leave to state that when freights
we're carried through from New Orleans to Knox
vile, via Tennessee river, the Colbert shoals cost
one-eghth and the Muscle shoals one-fourth of the
entire expense Of delivering goods in Knoxville
from New Orleans; and further, that the Colbert
shoals alone have cost within thirty years. the in
habitsnts Of five counties in Alabama, over one
million of dollars in lghtersge up and down, on the
small amount OF commerce that wss able 10 sur
mount the distractions below it. From the cost to
commerce and agriculture Of one mile Of shoals in
river one thousand miles long, It Is easy to see
that the various Instructions from the mouth to the
head OF navigation in the Tennessee river must
hsve Injured commerce and agriculture to an
amount that would seem incredible if set forth in
figures.
Presuming that the respective counties from Mus
Gle Shoals to Knoxville will be represented in the
convention, We confne ourselves to observations as
to that part Of the river best known to US but at
the same time, we are ready to give assistance to
anything useful, practicable or just which may be
brought before the convention.
VIM Warren, John Christian, John w. Dean,
]. c. Goodloe, 7. f. Buchanan, John A. Donnelly,
j. D. Inman. f. A. Ross, F. D. Lavender, Jos. 81.
Scloss.
On motion, the convention adjourned till P. N.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention was called to order by the Chair
man and proceeded to business.
The Committee on Resolutions reported The fol-
lowing:
Res0Ersd, Ist That the interests of the people Of
the Tennessee Valley require that the Tennessee
should be Cleared of sl distractions and that said
river remain free from all tolls or tribute.
Pes3Ived, ID. That Messrs William Mullinix, Of
Huntsville, Tenn, J. G. King, of Bristol Tenn, II.
s. Chamberlain, of Knoxville, Tenn Joseph A.
Mabry, of Knoxville Tehn, r. K Byrd, of Kings
and Ga. Railroad, Tenn, NJ. F. johnson, of Madi-
sonville Tenn, j. w. james, of Chattanooga,
Tenn, w. P. Rathburn, Of Chattanooga, Tenn.
A. A. Hyde, of Jasper, Tenn. D. @. HUMPHREYS
and R. W. Walker, of Huntsville Alabams, Lewis
wyeth, of Guntersville Ala. J. T. Cantwell, of De-
catur, Ala, VIM. Warren, Of Tuseumbia, Ala, H.
B. Lindsey, of Tusoumbis, Ala, S. G. Posey, of
Florence, Ala, J. w. Witherspoon, of Waterloo,
Ala, and Hon. L. s. TFimble, of Paducah KY be
and they are hereby appointed a committee, for
and on behalf of this Convention, to prepare and
draft memorial to the Congress OF the United
States setting forth the purposes of this Convention
and urging speedy action of Congress to aid in
It's objects.
RssoIpsd 4th. That said Committee be requested
to go TO Washington City, and present said memo
rial to Congress- and are hereby authorized to act
as delegates from this Convention for that purpose
RssoEue9 9th. That said Committee be requested
TO memorabilia the Legislatures of the States of
Tennessee Kentucky, Mississippi Alabams, Geor-
gia and Virginia, requesting their cooperation and
assistance in this enterprise
RssoLued, Str That the members of said Commit
tee who are not present, are hereby authorized 10
assemble, appoint such subcommittee as they may
deem proper, and take such other steps as may be
necessary to accomplish the purposes for which they
were appointed.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
N. D. BEARDEE Chairman.
On motion, the report Of the Committee was re-
ceiTed, and the resolutions taken up SsTiata5 and
adopted.
hon. H. B. Payne, of Cleveland, Ohio, being
called for addressed the Convention at some isngth
setting forth in q forcible manner the advantages
Of river over railroad transportation, and urged
unity Of action In the great matter before the Con-
vention. He hoped and believed that the efforts
they were then making would not be in vain.
We will not attempt 10 give any synopsis OF
Judge Payne's remarks, as justice could only be
done by full report. The speech was we'll re-
eeved gracefully delivered, and with frequent out
bursts Of applause.
Mf. j. 4 MaIoneyi OF ObhbtaDOOBai moved bn&t
the Thanks of the Convention be returned to Judge
Payne for the address delivered by him before the
Convention, which was unanimously adopted By a
rising vote.
By delegate
Resolved That when this Convention adjourns,
it does so subject the call of the chairman Of this
meeting, or, in his absence, by any three members
Of the committee appointed to draft memorial
Adopted.
By 7. Fort, of Chattanooga:
ResolUsd, That tho press Of the Valley of Tennes-
see be requested TO publish the proceedings Of this
Convention and that the secretaries of the meeting
be requested 70 furnish the press copies Of the
adopted.
By A. A. Hyde, of Jasper
ReSoIued, That the thanks of this Convention are
due and are hereby rendered to the Presidents and
Managers of the various railroads centering in the
city Of Chattanooga for their liberality in granting
passes for half fare to the delegates Of this Conven
ton and that the secretaries be requested to for
ward copy Of this resolution TO ii Presidents
and Managers. Adopted
By Captain H. s. Chamberlain, of Knoxville
Tennessee:
Rssolged, That as members of this Convention
we pledge ourselves TO exert our influence to the
fullest extent TO impress upon the minds Of our
Representatives in Congress the importance Of the
navigation Of the Tennessee river and that we
pledge ourselves to vote for no man who will not
work with 3 right good viii for the accomplish
ment Of this object Adopted.
By II. F. Parrish, of Chattanooga
ResoIpsd, That the Secretary Of this Convention
be instructed TO forward to our members Of Con-
gress the proceedings Of this Convention. On mo
ton adopted.
By ]. w. Jones, Of Chattanooga
Res0IUed, That the thanks Of this Convection are
due, and hereby rendered 20 the Hon A NJ. Gate,
and through him 70 the Legislature Of the State Of