Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-29
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
aaiirosd conneciions.

mer to represent the interests oil Mem
phis in the neighboring towns and villa
ges, and to deliver lectures on the advan-
tages of trading in this city, was referred
to committee Of three, to report at the
next meeting H tfg- Afft
The Secretary was instructed to pro-
cure all information possible as to the
amountof cotton sold in Memphis from
the counties of North Mississippi in the
years 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869, in an
swer TO communication received from
the private Secretary of Governor AL
corn, of Mississippi. II was resolved to
send delegates to the meeting of the Ma
tionar Board of Trade, to be held at Buff
falo on the eth of December next. The
committee on arbitration in the matter
of two water-packed bales of cotton, re-
ported that the cotton should be received
back by M. Lemore 4 Co.
THE RAILROAD CONNECTIONS or MEMPHIS.
Hon. Jacob Thompson, from the COM
mittee of the different railroad connec-
tons of Memphis, submitted the follow.
ing report
Your committee have considered the
subject here referred to them, and beg
leave to submit the following report con-
tanning simply statement of facts, ac-
companied with the statistics Of the pro-
ducts, resources and population of the
country west of us. We have not the
means within our reach of giving their
tables with accuracy, and We have for
borne TO indulge in conjectural esti-
mates.
The report gives an exhaustive descrip-
ton of the lands and territory west of
the Mississippi river, which invite immi-
grafton and the construction of railroads
through this vast territory, which are of
deep interest to Memphis. The report
shows the growth of ourrailroad system.
The Memphis and Charleston railroad
was projected and constructed, and in a
short time intersected by the Mississippi
Central and Mobile and Ohio roads,
which brought us into connection with
all the Atlantic cities, and New Orleans
and Mobile on the Gulf of Mexico
Afterward the Mississippi and Tennessee
road, running through most fertile
cuuntry, brought us into more direct and
connection with New Dr.
leans. Then the Memphis and Ohio
road was built, which brought us to Lou
isville and Nashville, and connected us
with the varied network of railroads
which intersect the Northwestern States
Others have been projected-the Mem
phis and Selma railroad, the Mississippi
River railroad and the Memphis and
Vicksburg railroad, which last, when
completed, will develop the richest coun-
try on the globe. These roads, when
completed, will be of great value to Mem
phis, and well nigh perfect our Eastern
connections.
This report shows our Western con-
neetions to be as follows: ave are
asked what these connections are, and
the facts constrain us to say: We have
none"
The report refers to the seventeen
years struggle to build the Little Rock
road, yet incomplete.
1t is also true that Colonel Porter has
made some progress, in the direction of
St. Louis, to form junction with the st.
Louis and Iron Mountain road. This is
ali we can claim as accomplished. The
report refers to the efforts made by Chi
,ago and st. Louis to extend their con-
lections.
Vicksburg, to the south of us, exhaust
ID by the ravages of war, has repaired /
her road as far as Monroe, Louisiana,
and has secured the promised aid of that
State to extend her road on to Shreve-
port, where she will be able to connect
With the completed road Of the Southern |
Pacific Company, beginning at Marshall
and running some distance into the |
Interior of Texas. The completion Of
his road will inevitably enlarge the |
commerce and increase the prosperity |
IF that city. New Orleans, owing to her
water communications, is naturally THE 1
rreat depot of all the surplus products |
If the Valley Of the Mississippi. Not
content, however, with this advantage,
he is extending out her roads westward 4
nto the fertile plains of Texas, and is
INVITING, by more rapid land transit,
which would most probably, |
nut still more slowly, reach her by |
water. Memphis has done nothing. |
There is no reason why Memphis should |
lot equal Chicago or ST. Louis in its
onward progress Memphis is on the
lirect line from Mexico or Central
Texas to New York and all Atlantic
cities.
The report referred to the effort now
making to finish the Little Rock road /
~ February next. The people of Helena
ire making a road up Crowleys Ridge
% connect with the Little Rock road,
md thereby connecting with us. We
ire also informed Colonel Porter is con
itructing with what rapidity we cannot
tate; but we are assured his resources
ire ample for its construction, if wisely
md prudently managed), a road which
viii extend the Iron Mountain and st.
.ouis road 10 Memphis, and at the same
ime reclaim the alluvial lands which
lie to the north and west of us in the
bottom. Already a road is
icing rapidly constructed from Little
Rock to Fort Smith on the western
,order Of the State. But this road can
lot stop at Fort Smith, it must and will
,e extended to intersect the road which
5 now building at the rate of mile a
lay from Kansas City to Galveston,
Texas, and also until it joins the road
eading from ST Louis, via Springfield,
TO-, through the Indian Nation along the
9TH parallel Of latitude across the con
inent. The road to Little Rock com
leted, and the connection with the Fort
mith road, which intersects the coal
nd mineral lands Of Arkansas, per
ected, large trade and travel will
ecessarily find its way through and to
lemphis.
1t is contemplated TO break ground at
n early day on the Trans-Continental
Dad, and that Congress will grant the
light of way over the public lands via
i Paso, on to San Diego, California.
his road will have its initial point at
fulton, on Red river, will run through
raxag o.oss;n,r tha Pic Granda uaar HI d,