The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-01-27
THE KNOXVILLE CONVENTION
Harmonious Meeting and United Action.
Anderson the Next Place of Meeting.

| AuutISUl LI6 NCAt ldCO vi NlCObluS'
The railroad convention in aid of the
Blue Ridge Railroad was held in Knox
vile, Tenn, according to previous ap-
pointmeut. Delegates from South Caro-
lima, Georgia and Tennessee were present,
and the meeting was called to order on
Thursday last, Goth instant, by Col. ].
w. Gaut, President of tho Knoxville
Board of Trade, who gave the delegates a
cordial welcome and formally rendered
their hall for the use of the convention.
Col. Alfred Caldwell, in behalf of the
citizens of Knoxville, extended warm
greeting to the convention, and spoke Of
the advantages that would accrue to East
Tennessee, North Georgia and Western
Carolina by the completion of the Blue
Ridge Railroad. With the road in ope-
ration, by the vivifying influences of
trade, that vast mineral belt extending
from Virginia to Alabama would be
opened to the world, and large section,
now dormant and unproductive, would
become mine of wealth. He congratu-
lated the delegates on the interest mani
tested in South Carolina and Georgia,
and assured them that Tennessee would
lend helping hand to bind our noun
tain section with their broad fields and
fertile savannas.
A committee on permanent organiza-
ton was appointed tc. select officers for
the convention, and reported as follows: !:
Robert A. Thompson, of South Caro-
lima, President.
W. G. McAdoo, of Georgia, and B. B.
Lenoir, of Tennessee, Vice-Presidents.
VIM. Rule, w. J. Ramage, G. w.
Charlton and Geo. W. Coleman, of Ten
nessee, Secretaries.
In taking the chair, Mr.. Thompson
said that the discussion of the question
should be limited to the setting forth of
such action as the convention might deem
fit after mature deliberation. 1t was the
desire of the people of South Carolina to
see the road completed, and after hear
ing, through the press and otherwise, that
an effort would be made to complete the
Blue Ridge Railroad, they thought it
their interest as it was certainly their
pleasure to aid in the endeavor.
A letter was read from DR.. VIM. Nor
TOW, President of the Knoxville and
Charleston Railroad, stating plan
whereby that road could be extended to
the State line at less outlay than ever
before in the history of building railroads,
and that no such opportunity to get an
important railroad connection for an in
significant outlay of money has ever been
offered any people. His plan is to en-
ploy the convicts of the State Peniten-
tiary, whose labor will be furnished to
grade the road, provided they can secure
cash subscriptions, on the part of Blount
and Knox counties, for clothing, feeding
and guarding convicts. The completion
of the road to the State line would at once
force Southern connection.
A letter was also read from Gen. j. w.
Harrison, of South Carolina, stating his
inability to be present, and breathing
words of encouragement at the ultimate
success of the route, Notwithstanding the
impoverished condition of the country,
and faYoring an appeal for government
aid. After stating the amount OF work
done, which forbids the idea of abandon
ment and failure, and the fact that the
bondholders will soon be in condition
to unite in some practicable scheme fol-
once more commencing the work, he sug-
| gested that a delegation from the Knox.
vile and Charleston Railroad should
meet the bondholders and others for q
free conference as to the best mode of or
ganizing a new company. He favored a
| frank and manly appeal to Congress fol
aid in some shape, and urged that the
necessities of the country demanded more
direct, cheaper and speedier transit from
the West to the Atlantic seaboard. An
enlightened system Of internal improve
ments would lift up the weight now rest
ing upon every class of the people, give
employment to the needy, and leave
works completed which, Notwithstanding
the cost, would be an equivalent for the
expenditure.
Letters were also read from Prof. G. D.
Smith and DIR. w. L. Love, of Nortt
Carolina, and all the letters were referred
to O. special committee to report upon
the subject matter therein contained.
At the evening session, speeches were
made by Col. E. M. Rucker, Capt. A. S
Erwin, of Athens, Ga, and Col. w. g
McAdoo offered the following resolution
which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That this convention pledge
its influence and earnest execution t
push forward the enterprise of the build
ing and equipment of the entire line II; tron On
Maryville to Walhalla at the earliest
practicable period.
Col. E. NJ. Rucker, being called upon
spoke of the immense advantages tha
would ensue from the completion of the
Blue Ridge Railroad to the territory
through which it passed, as we'll as the
entire States that would be united. Ht
alluded to tho scarcity of money in th'
country, but while that was true, th'
difficulties in the way of the enterprise
were exaggerated, and the money requi
red would not be taken out of the coun
| - l,t oxnooJoJ -, our p,idat ac III were