Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-19
Convention OF Narrow GRnEs Men
on Thursday, July 3Fd.

OF Marrow GanEe men
on Thursday, July 3Td.
The Memphis Avalanche of FRI
day last says: Yesterday morning &
was held in the room of
the Chamber of Commerce of Dele
gates appointed to the meeting of
representatives of the narrow gauge
system of railroads in this section of |
the State. There was but a small |
attendance Of delegates from the /
country, owing to the many rumors
of an epidemic in this city. Of
those from the city, however, the |
list was noticeable from the fact that |
there were several prominent bust |
ness men and capitalists present |
who were never known before to |
participate in any railroad meeting.
Throughout, the deliberations were |
characterized with spirit and good |
feeling, all entering into the discus |
sion of the subjects brought before
them, and seeking to arrive at the
best possible means of effecting the
object of the meeting.
The meeting was called to order
by Mr.. Minor Merriwether, who
briefly stated its object to be the
furtherance of plans looking to an
extended system of narrow gauge
railroads in West Tennessee.
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
Upon motion, Mr.. o. F. Prescott
was elected Permanent Chairman,
and Mr.. w. b. Fleece, Secretary
In taking the chair Mr.. Prescott
made the customary speech, return
ing thanks for the honor conferred,
and trusting that their deliberations
might be crowned with success, he
announced the convention as ready
for business.
Mr.. w. j. Sykes at once arose and
commenced reading a long series of
resolutions looking to the appoint
ment .of several committees by the
convention, when he was interrupt
ed by Judge L. w. Brown, who
called him to order.
The point of order was stated to
be that the convention was not
properly organized, inasmuch as it
was not known who were delegates.
/ The roll had not been called, and I'M
til it was, they could not tell who
were authorized to vote on the
measures that might be brought be-
} fore the meeting.
\ Chairman Prescott recognized the
point of order as well taken, and
directed the Secretary to call the
roll of delegates.
The following gentlemen respond
ed: Haywood county-Mr. William
Ivie Westbrook, editor of the
Brownsville Bee; j. NJ. Rutledge,
DIR. John 2. Watkins, H. II. Brad
/ ford, President, and Il. w. Hay
wood, Vice President, of the Dur
| Evansville, Brownsville and Den
mark railroad. Memphis and Knox
vile Railroad Company, II. n. Al
len. Fayette county,. II. Mebane,
! j. S. Williamson. Shelby county
Thomas ii. Allen, Minor Meriweth-
err, w. j. Sykes, G.. w. Kealhofer,
DIR. ID. j. Porter, q. w. McCrae, f.
! A. Tyler, William Council, Il. w.
Brown, G.. w. Hunt, jerome Hill of
! Memphis, John Donovan, President
gauge railroad; Gen. n. Is. Forrest,
President of the Memphis, Marion
and Selma railroad.
After the call OF the roll Mr.
Sykes concluded the reading of his
resolutions to which amendments
were offered by Messrs. w. r.
Moore and John Donovan.
Considerable discussion sprang up
on the resolutions and amendments,
when Judge Brown arose and sta
ted that although the convention
was much larger than he had antici-
pated, owing to the many absurd
rumors prevalent concerning an
epidemic in the city, yet he did not
consider that it represented suffi-
GENTLY extensive interests to Justify
any definite action. That it had
better be postponed and with that
view he offered the following reso-
luton in lieu of Mr.. Sykes:
Resolved, That it is expedient
that this meeting do appoint com
mittee of - to call convention,
at future day in the city of Mem
phis, to be constituted of delegates
from such counties in the States of
Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississip-
pi as may be interested in the de-
velopment of the country by in
creased and cheap inter-cOmmunica-
ton by railways, Said committee
is instructed to prepare, issue and
circulate an address, and to gather
information, to be reported to the
convention; the committee to have
power to appoint subcommittee
Mr.. Sykes moved to lay the sub
| stitute on the table. Lost.
| Judge BTUUn's resolution in Lieu
was then adopted as expressive of
the sense of the convention.
| Speeches were then in order,
| Chairman Prescott and Messrs.
| Bradford, Donovan, Brown, Sykes
and Moore, speaking upon the bene-
| fits that would accrue to the coun-
! try in having extended systems of
narrow-gauge railroads throughout
the State.
The Chair announced the follow
| ing as the committee suggested by
Judge Browns resolution: David
| I. Porter, Thomas ii. Allen, Minor
| Neriwether, John Donovan, .. +.
! Prescott and @. II. Judah, of Shell
by county; j. j. Williamson, of
| Fayette county; William Ivie West
brook, Il. w. Haywood and H. FL.
Bradford, of Haywood county; Il.
P. Nicely, of Hardeman county; Il.
| Reid, Madison county, Tennessee,
and c. w. Hunt, COahoma county,
Mississippi.
| Mr.. John Donovan moved that
/ the name of Judge Brown be added
TO the committee. Carried.
The convention then adjourned,
subject to the call of the commit
tee.