Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-11-24
PACIFIC CONVENTION.
First DHy's Proceedings of the Gather.
ing at ST. LOuis-Opening and
Welcoming Speeches.
An Historic Incident - Its Effect On
those Present - Permanent Or
ganizatiOn - Ready for
Business.

ST. LOUIS, NOVember Z3.-Ihe Nation
al Railroad convention was called 10
order at eleven O'Clock by Colonel James
o. Broadhead, chairman of the execu-
tive committee. DR.. w. G. Elliott
offered a prayer, after which
Colonel Broadhead read the call un-
der which the convention assem-
bled, and then stated somewhat
in detail the object of the con-
veDtioD. He said delegates were
here from twenty-seven States and
Territories, composed Of men OF scieace,
engineers, farmers, mechanics, mer-
chants, men Of intelligence and enter
prise, and thoroughly representative of
the various interests OF their respective
communities. He referred in glowing
terms to the fact that men were here
from every section Of the country in the
interest of peace and to promote the well
fare OF the whole Union. He then read
the bill granting charter by congress TO
the Texas and Pacifi railrt ad company,
and gave some statistics of that pant or
the road nov finished, described the
country through which the prop ,sed
line is to Iuu, and drew COMPARISONS be.
tween that and the northern route quite
favorable to the former.
Mayor Britton then welcomed the
members OF the convention to st. Louis,
and rendered the hospitality OF the city
in brief and graceful speech.
General Anderson, of Richmond, was
elected temporary chairman, and L. L.
Walbridge and ID. 81. MacAdams, Of st.
Louis, secretaries.
At this point, General Joseph Z. John
ston, in response to general re quest, took
a seat on the plstfOrm and Was greeted
most cordially by General sherman,
who advanced and shook hands with
him very heartily, amidst the greatest
applause from all parts of the house.
General Beauregard was then called up,
and was received in the same warm and
friendly manner. Jefferson Davis was
also invited forward, but in Difference to
some dissppfoval which was manifested
on the part Of several delegates, he de-
clined.
The convention then adjourned fer an
hour to visit the Merchants exchange
loom in the new chamber Of commerce
building.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Upon the re assembling of the conven-
ton, the committee on credentials re-
ported delegates present from twenty
States and Territories. The report was
adopted
The committee on permanent organi-
ZstiOn reported the following officers:
President, Judge Stanley Matthews, OF
Cincinnati; vice-presideut, General
VIM. Preston, of Kentucky; secretary,
Colonel John Howell, of Arkansas; Of
fetal reporter, L. L. Walbridge, of s..
Louis; seTgeant.st arms, Major ]. E. ID.
COUZins, of st, Louis
A supplemental report was made,
naming from ole to five gentlemen from
each State as vice presidents, and one
as assistant-secretary. Both reports
were adopted.
, Both Judge Matthews and General
Preston, upon taking their respective
seats, made strong and eloquentspeeches
in favor Of the object Of the convention
and the construction OF the proposed
southern traDs-continental road, which
were received with hearty applause.
A committee of two from each State
was appointed OH business and resOlu-
tiOns, and on motion it was agreed that
all resolutions offered should be referred
to that committee without debate.
Resolutions were then introduced by
the California, Tennessee, Kansas and
South Carolina delegations, which were
referred under the rule, and the conven-
ton adjourned till tomorrow.