The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-11-25
Pacific Raiiroad Ccpventron.


Pacific Raiiroad Convention.
ST. LOUIS, November 24.-Durfng the ses-
sion to-day lengthy letter was read from
Colonel Tom Scott, OF the Pennsylvania
Central railroad, setting forth The advantage
to the country at large and to the Govern.
ment Of the building Of the Pacific railroad.
The Committee on Resolutions then pre-
sented long series of resolutions, which
were read, as follows:
This convention of delegates, duly ap-
pointed from thirty.one States end Terrific.
ries, and many cities and boards of trade,
merchants exchanges, and other commercial
bodies, constituting body of eight hundred
and sixty.nine delegates, representing not
only large proportion of the people Of the
United States, but of the active producing
business capital Of the country, and now as
sembled to take action upon the construc.
ton of southern line Of railroad to the Pa.
cific ocean, do respectfully present to the
Senate and House of Representatives Of the
United States, In Congress assembled, that
the Southern Trans-C Continental railway, from
the waters OF the Mississippi vid 81 Paso TO
the Pacific ocean-on or near the twenty-third
parallel of latitude, Is imperatively de-
manded-jrSt, as measure Of sound states
mauship, because 1t is only by constant In.
tereourse, business and social. that the great
States now growing upon the Pacific slope
can be permanently bound in common in
terest with our eastern and southern COM
munities; and 1t is therefore sound policy
and wise foresight to promote the most init.
mate relations between all sections of our
common :countTy-a necessity already
recognized by the Government by its
grant of bonds and lands to the
Union and Central and Kansas Pacific roads,
and Of lands to other trans continental lines
on the thirty-secoud, thirty fifth, and forty
seventh parallel, under the belief that private
capital could furnish the needed funds to
complete these highways; but owing to the
great commercial depression they cannot be
built By individual capital. and the response
bility still rests upon the Government to Sc.
cure the completion OF at least one additional
trans.continental line. = gs
Second. AS means Of national defence,
because it is the duty. of the, Government to
have line to the Pacific unobstEucted at all
seasons OF the year, fer the. prompt trans.
portation of troops and supplies should
trouble arise with any foreign country, and
the ports and countries Of the Pacific coast
would be exposed to insult or attack; such
line to be sufficiently removed from the Dor.
der to enable it to be fully protected against
the movements of hostile parties. j m n,
Third. AS q local military necessity,
promptly supplying the means Of prevent
Ing Indian depredations in Texas, New Mex.
leo, and Arizona, and establishing law and
order in regions now subject to violence. =
: Fourth, Is measure OF practical econ0-
my, saving the expense ofta military estabe
lisbment for. the protection OF southern ter
ritory by lessening the cost of supplying
sid, diminishing the force OF troops, and
saving eight or ten millions.
Fifth. Asa commercial necessity for l,200.-
600 people inhabiting belt of country
stretching along the entire South Atlantic
coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Old Mexico, to the
Pacific ocean. so.t
Sixth. As 8 saving to the people OF the
entire country, because Of Its being com:
peting line between the two oceans for all
sorts of traffic, including that OF foreign
ports. By competition the people of the
United States will be protected against an
existing monopoly.
Seventh. Because communication thus
established would secure the traffic OF the
rich and productive States Of Old Mexico,
now diverted TO other countries. -
Eighth. Because it Is the duty Of the Go
yernment to protect the citizens whose guar;
dianship 1t assumes BY treaty obligations ana
also its own citizens. ;.
Ninth. As prudential and proper act, 70
encourage the people Of the South, who may
urpe that while one hundred and seventy
five millions of dollars have, been appro-
nriated In the northern States and territories
since the organization of the Goyernment
only nineteen million have been expended
lin the South, etc. qssr ~. ..&. 80
ResoIoed, /. That q southern line to the
Pacific ocean should be built on or near the
thirty.second parallel from Shreveport, Lei,
uta Ell PasO to N Diego, where 1t Will make
connection with the waters Of the Pacific In
safe and excellent harbor. and connect also
with the railway lines now building irom
San Francisco to- the southern part OF Cdil-
fornia, thus securing centlnuous hhe 10
that great city and port.
Second, { That there should also De con-
structed extensions from the most eligible
nar,s of the Texas and Pacific road to New
Orleans. Memphis, and Vicksburg. aud from
a noint near tbeoee hundred and third nert.
dian to- Yinits, 10 ersoreach the Mississippi
river. tacconuect with. every road and harbor
of the Atlantic coast. and with every railway
east of the Rocky, Mountain, SLOPE. =, s
| Third That to insure to the: nation the
greatest benefits from this line OF road, ana
70 nreyent its befng controlled 10 the interest
| nf any one part OF. section Of the country
there should be established such regulations
nc uiiI maintain the road from Shreveport TO
the Pacific as al! open highway ana az %
competing line to all trans-continental rail-
roads: 10 Be used on equal terms by all c3n-
Sz,f,{cf, ara nt,vy or NAV here