Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-07
UNION AND AMERICAN
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF
TRADE,
Merchants Tax, Etc.

The Board of Trade met at their rooms
yesterday morning at IL o'clock.
Mr.. @. r. Parsons, from the Committee
appointed by the Board in the Industrial
Exposition, made favorable report of the
condition of the enterprise.
The President reported that he had ap-
pointed Messrs. Sharp, Hensly and Allo-
way q committee to visit Cincinnati in the
interest of Nashville, Cumberland and
other railroads.
The following letter from F. b. French
to Robert Kirkman, of Baltimore, in ref
erence to railroad interest, was read by
the Secretary, and on motion referred to
the Railroad Committee.
NASHVILLE, Feb. %, 1S7L-Robert r.
Kirkman, Esq, Baltimore. Dear Sir
The privilegesasserted for the!U United States
Congress to interfere, not only in vested
rights of railroads, but with the authority
rights, ELECTED remarks from you at the
meeting of the National Board of Trade,
which had my most cordial sympathy and
support. This was on the proposition to
have the Psrkersburg road declared post
road, A committee is now before Con-
gress from Cincinnati, asking to have their
proposed route to Chattanooga declared
''post road, with a view of defeating the
Kentucky Legislature, which has twice de-
clined granting chsrter, upon the ground
of its being an exclusive monopoly, none
other than the citiZees of Cincinnati being
permitted to hold stock, or have any interest
or control over the road; and good faith to
her own people, and those owning stock in
other roads, would not permit Legislative
sanction TO be given, to the sacrifice of her
own citizens, who would be Disseminated
against; q charter not involving this fes-
ture, such as is usual, would be cheerfully
granted. This much for q matter which,
were it only for its dangerous precedent,
should invoke strenuous efforts for its de-
feat.
Now, what is uppermOst in my mind, In
connection with this subject, is to invite
your attention Of you have not already ex
amined it, to line the value of which to
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad cannot
be too fully estimated. After premi sing
that the Pennsylvania Railroad is ma king
every effort to get possession Of some ave-
nue. for reaching this point, the key OF the
southwestern system of railroads, and has
recently at Evansville and Henderson
wedged into the State; that Chicago, by a
direct west and south road is striking by
the same point, and st. Louis by two
routes grasping her point, and Louisville
already by her road claiming the lions
share, it does appear strange that the two
cities whose positions would seem to give
them the creates. claims appeared to be
willing to yield when Cincinnati in her
wild hunt for mineral lands to abandon the
field to Louisville, while Baltimore,
stretching her arms TO the west allows
the richest prize TO elude her.
Draw q lire from Marietta to Portsmouth
and thence to Msysville, Ky, from that
point to Paris is but short line, where
intersects road to Nicholasville; a road
from thence to either Gallatin or Lebanon,
in this State, gives you almost an air line
to Memphis, Little Rock and the Southern
Pacific, connecting here with the Nash
vile and Decatur road and the West and
South road to Montgomery, and, in fact,
to all the great cotton belt, the richest,
and ere long the most productive country
on the globe.
The Louisville and Nashville railroad in
1870, shipped to Nashville 4,571 car loads
of freight; to points south of Nashville
SPA car loads, and local freighis say
5000 car loads; this on the main stem,
There were shipped from Louisville tc
Nashville 20, 900, 600 tons Of freight, and to
points beyond lOO, 900, 900 tons; from
Cincinnati to Nashville 5000, 900 tons
From East to West 20, 900, 900 tons, be-
yond II, 900, 900 tons; from other points
1000, 600 tons, beyond 2,3OO,0 tons, an
increase of 539, 900 tons; north from Nash
vile 1000, 900 tons; from points south
10000, 600 tons, an increase of So, 900 tons
Total main stem earnings from all
sources, $2,34O, 944.62, which, foE road
1876 miles long, shows what you can e1pec
from q feeder by the route designated,
nearly every mile passing through
rich aud varied country, producing
everything needed to build up large
local business.
The question to,be determined is, Ar
YOU prepared to contest with these grea
northern routes for the great ''Oottol
Belt" You have the inside track, yor
have the the leaning in your direction
all those living on the line; 1t Is only ne
cesssry to take possession Of the ground
to comprehend the whole measure sn'
make it ''Gu fat GccoHlpyGise."
In discussing the various connection
offering from the North Just at this time
my attention has been directed closely t
this subject, and turning my eyes to m,
native city, Baltimore, see at once ho'
clearly is a'nted the route fron her por
to the Pacific. Nature has plainly marke'
out the path, and with the energy, fore
thought and ssgacity OF those who nav
managed its affairs, the time must 500
come when they will turn their thought
and stretch out their iron arms to sectlo
which saws your people shall be my pee
pie, your destiny mine. Yours truly,
f. 81. FRENCH.
The following was read from the David
son County Agricultural and Meohanica
Association:
NASHVILLE March 5, 1S71.-F. 81. French
President of the Board of Trade, Nsshvill
Dear Sir: By resolution unanimousl
adopted at the last meeting of the Boal
of Directors of the Tennessee Agriculture
and Mechanical Association, l am author
lied TO invite the Board of Trade to co o.
crate with the Directory in holding tn
next Fall Fair and take charge OF the 10
lowing articles wool, tobacco, rope an
bsgging aud baled hay. Messrsi Foster an
Hamilton were appointed committee
confer with your Board in reterenc
thereto.
Respectfully JOHN h. WILLIAMS,
General Agent
On motion, the invitation was receive
and accepted, and the President instructe
to appoint such committee as he deeme
proper to confer with Messrs. Foster an
Hamilton in regard to the same. A COZ
munication was read from the Mobi
Board of Trade, asking the cooperate
of the Nashville Board in q petition
Congress for improving the harbor, etc
at that city. Received and referred to t!
Transportation Committee. Commune
tious were read from Memphis with rete
epoe to railroad and immigrsti'
interests and received and file
By request the Secretary read tro