New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-01-26
Chamber of Commerce.

a hiCctInS VI Lne OnaInDer OF commerce.
to consider the importance of a railroad
communication from New Orleans TO FL
Paso. via San Antonio, was held last eve
ming.
Mr.. Joseph II. Oglesby called the meet
ing to order. A quorum present Mr.
Oglesby stated that he had called the
meeting upon request of a committee of
members to consider communication rela.
tive to a railroad from San Antonio to some
point on the Rio Grande south of the lati-
tude of San Antonio. This railroad will
run through a thickly populated country, a
climate unsurpassed in salubrity, fertile
cotton region, and covered with vast droves
of cattle. 1t will materially advance the
prosperity of New Orleans. the half way
point between the cities of Mexico and New
York. The gentlemen representing the
road desire no material aid from. New Or
leans, but they wish an Endorsement from
the Chamber of Commerce, to which they
attach great Importance. They have back
ers in Texas, and expect to obtain a sub
sidy in Washington.
Mr.. w. M. Burwell then presented, and =,
on motion, read the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, The interest of internal and
foreign commerce, as well as of other indus
tries, demands an increased production of
cotton and animal food within our own
country, as well as the improved means of
intercourse with countries coterminous with
our own, and
Whereas, These interests require the con-
struction and consolidation of railroads un-
1 L.
upon the most direct location between our
own coast ports and the most distant inte-
rior of our own and adjacent countries;
therefore,
ResOlred, That the interests of the whole
people of the United States, and especially
of the city of New Orleans and the State
of Texas, will be greatly promoted by a
direct extension of rail from the city of
San Antonio, in Texas, to some point on the
Rio Grande south of the latitude of San
Antonio, thus providing for connection
with the system of railroads projected by
the government of Mexico TO some point or
points at or south Of the Rio Grande del
Preside del Norte, on the eastern boundary
of that republ
Resolred, That the Chamber of Commerce
of New Orleans earnestly recommend as g
work every way worthy of the confidence
of the capitalist and che consideration of
tion of railroad. shrougho out its whole ex.
tent. from the city of New Orleans, by the
cities of Houston and San Antonio. through
the heart of the sugar, cotton and cattle
region of Texas, the tropical and minin e
products of the States of POtOsi, Guiana
juato and Hidalge, with the populous cities
of Monterey. Saltillo, San Luis Potosi,
Guanajuato, and to the capital city OF
Mexico.
Mr.. Burwell called attention 90 map of
the road, prepared in Mexico and forwarded
to this city. He stated that President Teo
jada was an advocate of progress. and
would do all in his power to advance come
mercial interests in Mexico. The republic
was projecting o series of internal railroad
improvements. Already the road from Vera
Cruz to Mexico. over heavy grades, had
been completed at cost Of only $25, ,000, 900,
The sentiment of the Mexican people was
undergoing a change. and they were deter.
mined to devote themselves TO improve
ment. New Orleans would soon be only
seventy-two hours from both Mex'
leo and New York. The country
through which this road would pass pro
duced between thirty and forty millions Of
silver. Coffee. sugar and all tropical proc
ductions abound. We are walled off from
competition by the mountains. Between
Mexico and the Rio Grande are tens of
thousands of head of cattle.
The president stated that the completion
of this road promised formidable and
profitable competition 10 the Scott rail-
road. These gentlemen would build their
road. They would receive aid from the
Illinois Central. which by assisting them
would avoid the necessity of distributin <
their surplus, as required by law when it
reached fifteen millions, TO evade which
that road was now aiding Southern rail
roads.
The resolutions, on motion, were then
adopted, after which the meeting adjourned.