The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-11-26
CLOSING OF THE NATIONAL z. F.
CONTENTION.
What TAs Texas IL Pacific Road Wants


takes action upon the contemplated con
siruction Of said road on the ground that
it will successfully unite the southern
states of the Pacific slope with the North
ern states by combining their commercial
interests. 1t is sound policylto promote the
most intimate relations between all sec
tons of our common country. The sound
ness Of this policy the government has rec
ognized in liberal grants to other Pacific
railroads. The funds necessary would be
furnished by the citizens themselves were
it not for the existing commercial depres-
sion. This road is necessary,
g AS a means Of national defense, fur
nishing as it would line to the Pacific,
unobstructed at all seasons Of the year,
for the transportation of troops in case of
trouble on the coast with any foreign ma
ton, when the ports there would be ex-
posed to attack and insult
g. AS local military protection against
hostile bands of Indians. who are kept
from depredations, only by means Of rail
and telegraph. This only means pre-
venting depredations in Texas and New
Mexico and establishing there law and or
der
4. As measure of practical economy;
that smaller military establishments are
necessary when points are accessible by
rail. The saving would be $S,0UO0O0 to
$4,000, 900 annually.
). AS IA commercial necessity to the r.
OO0.0O) OF people Of the country from 400
10 700 miles wide, stretching along the
whole Southern Atlantic coast, the Gull
of Mexico and Old Mexico to the Pacific
ocean, who cannot avail themselves Of the
present line.
g. As Il saving u the entire country,
since this will give competitive line be-
twcen the two oceans. 1t will give through
traffic with the Sandwich Islands. India,
China and Japan, Australia and Western
South America, Thus the people of the
United States will be protected against
the monopoly to whom they have loaned
$50, OOO,0UO of per cent government
bonds Besides this and the large land
grants the government Is now paying So
100000 annually 10 this corporation, which
has established arbitrary rates and is now
seeking to perpetuatc itself as a close cor
poratiOn,
7. Because Of the rich traffic which
would be opened with Old Mexico and d.
vorted from other countries.
s. Because the government owes pro
lection to the citizens whose guardianship
it assumes under the treaty obligations 10
the accumulation of Mexican territory.
9. AS encouragement to the southern
people, who very justly urge that while
the government has expended $l75,000,-
600 for the northern states and territories
since the organization of the government it
has spent but $4,000, 900 in the southern
states and territories. Building this road
will stimulate labor and give occupation to
thousands now idle. 1t will secure re.
turn to the people of 30,0O0,0OO acres OF
land heretofore granted to build the
thirteenth parallel. In the judgment OF
this convention it is the right aud duty Of
the national government to render such
aid, properly restricted, as will secure the
the prompt completion OF this line; there
fore,
ReSolred, First, That southern line to
the Pacific should be built on or near the
thirty second parallel, from Shreveport
via ElPaso to San Diego, where it will
make connections with the waters Of the
Pacific in a safe and excellent harbor,
and connecting also with railway lines
now building from San Francisco to the
southern part of California, thus securing
continuous line 10 that great city anC
port.
uCIC dlSu ne al
extension FROM the most eligible points o.
the Texas and Pacific railroad to New
Orleans, Memphis and Vicksburg, anC
from point near the l03d meridian t.
Nineta, in order to reach the Mississippi
river to connect with every road on thu
Atlantic coast and with every railway
cast of the Rocky Mountains.
8, That to insure TO the nation the great
est benefit and prevent monopoly con
trolllngit in the interest of any one sec
ton, there should be established sucl
regulations as will maintain the roaC
from Shreveport to the Pacific as an opel
highway and as n competing line to al
trans-continental railroads, to be used OF
equal terms by all connecting road,
which are now or may hereafter be built
similar regulations to be applied t.
branches receiving similar aid to tn
Texas and Pacific Trunk line.
4. That it should be built at the loves
possible cash cost in order to protec
the people. Now when labor and materia
are cheap is the best time for its construc
ton.
5. That the building Of the main line
should proceed so that the road be con
structed continuously from the point t
Diego, Cal, or until it meets the exten
sion of some line from San Diego.
6. That its construction can be bes
aided by an extension on the part of thu
government to the branches already men
toned OF guarantee of the interest mot
the principally on limited amount of fy,
per cent construction bonds, payable il
nifty years. so that the entire liability as
sumed shall not exceed $1,000 per mile
per annum, secured by first mortgage
on all the property and lands granted by
the United States. Any deficiency in tn,
earnings OF the line and branches to be
met by the deposit in the United State:
treasury OF QUO eighth of the whole au
thorlzed issue and the sale of the same, il
necessary, after applying all the net earn
ings and proceeds and sums due for gov.
eminent transportation, mail matter and
Geographic seevice.
I. That the president of the convention
be requested to prepare an address to the
people OF the United States embodyinp
the views as set forth in the preamble and
resolutions adopted by this convention
aud that he be authorized to appoint .
committee OF thirteen, who, with the
president of this convention, shall present
an engrossed copy OF the proce edings and
the presidents address to President Grant
to the presiding officer of the Senate; to.tht
Speaker OF the House, and to take what fur
Their action may be deemed best to further
the objects ofthe convention,
Other resolutions providing that the
resolutions be furnished the governor. .
states, mayors Of cities aad to CO..
bodies represented in the CO. .ront;on o omr