New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-05

Chamber Of Commerce.

The regular monthly meeting was held
last evening, Mr.. Moses Greenwood in the
! char.
| The committee on railroads made specia,
-epo-.:
| GESTLEMEN-Some months back it was
! ordered by the Chamber of Commerce that
! .Ie committee On railroads should report
| oI tie railroad interests of the State, and
| G. tbs clty in particular i'll such projects
| as We-e IL contemplation and IN course OF
; s.Iuction.
! Il was understood tia. this report should
refer more particularly to those roads
! which were intended % connect New Or
| leans with Houston, Texas, and also with
! Shreveport.
Owing to the anomalous condition of af-
| tal.s which has existed in this State for
sone time, and likewise to the various
phases which railroad matters have under.
gone. your committee up to tnls time has
deemed 1t impolitic TO give any public ex-
| preston Of their sentiments. They have
been watchful of the course of events as
they Lave transpired. affecting the compile.
ton ci those great pIojec.s.
It Las been our greatest desire tina. we
could report to this Chamber that we were
satisfied that all conflicting interestsx,were
Lar,nonizcd, and that those parties who
controlled the direction of those works
would push them forward 20 an early cOm-
pletlOL. All of us who have at heart the
welfare and commercial prosperity OF New
Orleans have for some time been panied to
notice the abandonment Of work OF the
road tending toward Texas. The Legisla-
ture OF this State has granted charters to
the corporators of the New Orleans, Mobile
and Texas railroad and 10 the New Or
leans, Baton Rouge ana Vicksburg railroad,
extend n to them muniEcent snbsIdies and
LIBERAL Endorsements ct their bonds.
The consideration of mutual good faith
between the State on one side and these
railroad companies on the other, we take
fo- granted was pledged oE the issuance Of
the charters. As citizens of the State we
nave the right to expect 10 such matters
that our legislators should look to the entire
interests Of the community, and where
faith has been broken against the interests
OF the State that it is the duty Of the State
to at once come to the rescue OF its citizens.
The merchants, taxpayers. property hold
ers and ali others OF tbls city IN particular,
have the right to demand from those in
authority that this p.lncipie shall be in
voked Tor their protection, and that it shall
ne carried into execution against those par
ties who control the management of these
roads, and who are iritling with orr ma
terial interests and commercial prosperity
just so long as they, Tor their own purposes,
Ietard the completion Of these enterprises.
II the present companies either will not
puiiG these roads, or are unable to do SO,
they should be made to stand aside and al
low others to take hold VINO will appreciate
the importance Of the works and carry
them through without delay.
Your committee believe that the present
companies have violated their compact
with tie State, and tina. the charters should
be declared under forfeiture. and we would
recommend tEat special committee be ap-
pointed 20 inquire into and report to this
chamber such necessary steps as should be
taken TO carry out the recommendations
embraced IL this report.
This elected considerable controversy,
mos: Of the members participating. none
objectlrg, although one or two favored
snort delay before adopting the report. 1t
was finally adopted. written resolution
being recorded.
The committee on railroads consists of
Mess,s. L. II. Joseph, J. T. Tucker, H. 0.
Seixas, w. w. Howe. The report was read
by Mr.. L. H. Joseph, who expressed himself
IN favor Of the report and taking ;mme-
dla.e action. This was the only business
done.