Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-10-27
RAILROADS.

The following report, important TO rail
road companies generally, and particularly
so to those in the South, was reported TO
the Louisville Commercial Convention by
the committee on railroads generally, of
which our fellOw-citizen, Col E. w. Cole
was chairman, and adopted by that con-
vention, composed of able and practical
men, representing 81 States of the Union.
Would not our Legislators do their constitu-
ency good service by indorsing the action
of that convention, and calling the atten-
ton of the federal government TO the sub
ject matter of the report?
The Committee on Railroads Generally
respectfully submit the following report:
The subject referred to them is so COM
prehensive when considered in connection
with the importance and magnitude of the
interests involved that it was found i'm
possible for your committee during the
short time allowed them to consider the
numcrOusresolutions and suggestions relat-
ing TO State or local improvements, and,
not wishing TO discriminate against any,
it was deemed best not TO refer to such
local interests and to cOnfine the action of
the committee TO questions of national
importance.
In regard 10 railway management gen
orally the committee respectfully recon-
mend that this convention urge the i'm
portance of uniformity of gauge in the fu-
ture construction of railroads.
Cooperation in railroad management
has met with eminent success, and has
given satisfaction to both the public and
railway companies wherever it has been
fairlytested
1t is accordingly recommended that all
breaks and distractions in our great high
ways of trade and travel be remedied, and
the connection of tracks and uniformity of
guage be perfected as early as possible, so
the trains may pass from one road TO an
other without annoyance or delay to either
passengers or freight.
The committee refer with pride to the
fact that the American continent is now
crossed by a continuous line of rail from
the waters of the Atlantic to those of the
Pacific ocean, so that cars may run from
New York to San Francisco without the
expense and damage attending the break
ing of bulk in freight or the change Of
cars by passengers
Recognizing the railroad interest as one
of inestimable importance to the whole
country, the committee recommend that
the federal government exercise the largest
liberality toward these enterprises con-
sistent with wholesome legislation, and es-
pecially those in the Southern States which
may have been crippled by the late I'M
fortunate and deplorable war
The committee recommend the adoption
of the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the Gulf ports are the
natural outlets for so much of the produc-
tons of the West, both agricultural and
manufactured, as find market in the West
India Islands and the countries bordering
on the Gulf Of Mexico, and that in order
to reach those markets lines of railway
should be encouraged to the Gulf ports by
the shortest and most direct practicable
routes.
Resolved, This convention recommend
that Congress renew and extend the grants
of alternate sections of land made to rail
roads in the South which, after the initial
construction of said roads, have lapsed in
consequence of the interruption to all pub
lie enterprises caused by the late war
Resolved, That the policy adopted by
many of the Southern railroad lines in
affording cheap transportation to persons
seeking a settlement in the Southern States,
or investigating and examining the re-
sources of the same for the purpose of
investment is heartily approved by this
convention as a measure well calculated to
encourage immigration to those States
Resolved, That among the great enter
prises proposed for the development of
our whole country the construction of
railroad connecting the waters of the Pa
cifiC ocean and the great lakes by the
the Northern Pacific route has the svmpa-
| thy of this convention.
Resolved, That the President Of the
convention be requested TO furnish the
President and Vice President of the
United States and the Speaker of the
House Of Representatives with copy of
the foregoing report and resolutions