New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-08

O081OGR q CO0@0tS9A
The monthly meeting Of the Chamber of
Commerce vas held last night.
On motion of Hon. W. w. Howe IL was
Resolrcd, That . committee of five be ap-
pointed TO report on the expeGiency and
constiiutionality of establishing. by legisla-
tive act, court for the arbitration Of mer-
camille disputes at the port Of New Orleans
The chair appointed under this resolution
the following committee: Messrs. w. w.
Howe. J. NJ. Sandidge. W. G. Coyle, II. o.
Seixas aud J. II. Putnam.
Mr.. J. II. Kennard offered the following
WHEREAS, The early completion of the
Texas Pacific railroad is . matter of great
to the interests of the Mssis.
sippi valley, and is . work of such magni.
tude and national value as to justify the
general government in granting the same
to other great national works; and
Whereas, In our opinion, such aid will be
only an act of justice, and q valuable in
vestment OF government funds. in view of
the rapid development Of the resources of
the whole Southwest that would speedily
follow its completion: be it
Resolred. That the plan now proposed by
the Texas Pacific railroad, modifying the
original charter received from the govern.
ment meets our cordial approval and we
request the members of Congress from
respectfully memorable Congress as q body
to give the matter early attention and
favorable consideration; be it further
Res0lred, That in this Endorsement of the
modification Of the original charter of the
Texas Pacific railroad. this Chamber does
not ask or approve the granting OF govern.
ment aid to what are known ~ the New
Orleans. Baton Rouge and Vicksburg Rail-
road Company, and the Vicksburg, Shreve.
port and Texas Railroad Company. to
enable said roads to construct lines be-
tween Shreveport and New Orleans, and
Shreveport and Vicksburg; be it further
Resolred, That q shorter connection be.
tween New Orleans and the Texas Pacific
railroad, more entitled to government
patronage, and with greater economy, and
of more permanent value to the interest of
the Mississippi valley. can be made than
by the above named Baton Rouge and
NSicksburg railroad, or the Vicks5nrg,
Shreveport and Texas railroad, namely q
road that shall connect New Orleans with
the Texas Pacific at point further west.
near Central Texas.
Mr.. kennard moved the reference Of the
resolutions 20 committee on revision,
which committee was subsequently in
structed 60 report 60 the Chamber at q
special meeting on Monday. the fourteenth
instant.
Mr.. Kennard. in explanation Of the reso-
buttons, stated that he had at first prepared
. resolution looking only to the indorse-
ment Of the aid asked by the Texas Pacific
railroad. He explained that it was pro-
posed to defect the railro ad perfected to
the Pacific on the thirty-sixth parallel to a
junction with the Texas Pacific, on the
duct the roads by common stem to the
Pacific. He had examined the proposition
to secure the aid asked from Congress by
a mortgage of property and franchises, and
expressed the opinion that no loan from the
government had been better or even as
we'll secured as was proposed
Since the preparation of his resolution he
had seen in the morning papers that the
bill extending aid TO the Pacific railroad con-
tanned provisions extending similar aid to
two other connecting railroads. These
roads he did not think afforded the most
eligible connection between New Orleans
and the Texas Pacific railroad. He was in
clined to think that the most eligible con.
nection would be made At some point on the
Pacific railroad much further west than
Shreveport. perhaps it might be found in
the location through Central Texas lately
brought before the Chamber and city.
However, he did not propose action at
this moment or a precipitate decision of
Chamber to refer the question to com
mittee on revision, which should report its
opinion 0n the most adganta geOus location
for connection between New Orleans and
the Texas Pacific railroad.
Mr.. Sandidgs approved, in the main. of
the purport OF the resolutions. but suggested
that it might not be expedient to disap.
prove Of that eection Of the bill which
provided aid for railroad from Shreveport
direct TO New Orleans. He gave the early
history of that road and referred to the deep
interest which New Orleans had Away
taken in this direct connection with North
Louisiana. He was Of opinion that any grant
of lands along that line would be of little
value since much valuable land had been
covered by the swamp land grants. The
most Of the arabic public lands had been
entered by private grantees: while the re-
mainder could be entered under the gradua.
ton law at twelve and a half cents an acre.
He mentioned the release Of congressional
land grants along the line Ut the road now
proposed TO Central Texas, and suggested
such modification of the resolutions as
would not exclude the Shreveport road
from the benefits of the bill
Mr.. Kennard rejoined in explanation of
his views and expressed an apprehension
lest the completion of Eastern connection
with Vicksburg might divert the Pacific
trade East, without affording New Orleans
an opportunity to participate in it.
Mr.. Seixas advocated the recognition of
the Texas Central Railroad in the provi-
sOns of the bill.
Mr.. Oglesby thought It would be we'll to
separate the resolution indOrsing the pro-
posed aid to the Texas Pacific railroad
proper from the special appropriations to
other roads. This resolution having been
adopted, the Chamber could have time TO
deliberate upon the most proper mode of
carrying out the important object of con-
Meeting New Orleans with the Texas Pacific
railroad.
Mr.. Howe impressed . proper degree OF
caution upon the Chamber. There were
questions Of vested interest on the part Of
a railroad already recognized in the legisla-
ton of Congress in regard to that road, and
was not prepared to express an opinion As
10 those rights.
Mr.. q. &. EOrshey favored . distinct re-
eogni,ion of the New Orleans and Texas
Central railroad as the proper beneficiary
20 secure to New Orleans connection with
tuc dcIHC fhlIfoAu. lie WOuI0 suggest
such an amendment OF the resolution as
would embody and express that opinion,
but declined to make any motion to that
effect.
Mr.. Bayley seplied to che remarks of Mr..
Sandidge in regard to the land grants which
hao been heretofore made by Congress to
the Opelousas and other railroads, and
which had either lapsed or been released.
He approved the suggestion Of Mr.. San
didge that these lands should be se-granted
by Congress, and stated that they would
fall. in great part, upon the line OF the New
Orleans and Central Texas railroad.