The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1878-11-07
National Commercial Conventions.
lCorrespondence ofthe C1nzEN-l
Sr I.oIrrS Nov 0nd 1879

On the 18th inst. there is to as
semble in Chicago a national, or ra
ther an international convention to
and recommend measures
to promote the interests of both in
land AID foreign commerce. The
matters to be specially discussed
and acted upon embrace the i'm
provement of the Mississippi and
other western water ways, the
building of more railroads to the
Pacific and the increase of our mer-
chant marine in order to give pro-
ducers cheap and easy access to the
outer world. Fol similar purposes
a convention is to be held in New
York city on the 18th of November,
and another at New Orleans on the
Bird of December following. These
movements in differ
ent parts Of the United States-in
the East, South and Northwest-all
indicate that public sentiment is fast
into power that will
not only demand, but secure favor
able action on the part OF Congress.
While the whole country is deeply
in these measures, the
great valley of the Mississippi and
the entire South and Southwest de
mand them as matters of present
and imperative necessity. These
grand divisions of the Republic fur
nish more than nine tenths of the
natural products of the mine and
The soil, but our facilities for trans
portation are 60 limited and imper.
feet, that the producer loses half
the horne value in the expense of
getting it to market. Our immense
surplus of food supplies gluts the
home markets, and can find no
cheap outlet to foreign countries
where millions of people would glad
Iy pay good price if these prod
Icts could be sent TO them. ALI that
the West and South need to make
them together the richest and grand
est industrial empire in the world
is the improvement of rivers, the ex-
tension of railways and the increase
Of ocean transportation. If these
measures required an immense out
Iay OF public treasure, the policy
might appear questionable, although
Great Britain France, and other Eu-
ropean powers would not hesitate
for a moment about the needed ex-
penditure. But is is easy of demon
stration that all these measures can
be executed, without depicting the
public treasury to the amount Of a
dollar. True, the problem of the
Mississippi would require a present
outlay Oi money for It's establish
ment, but the amount would be re-
turned tOur-foid to increase the az
5rc2ate wealth of the country and
The prosperity of individuals. Even
he opening of the mouth of this
river by the jetties, will largely in
crease our foreign trade, opening
new markets for our produce and
adding TO the revenues OF the gov
eminent by the augmentation of
our foreign trade. In regard to the
of Two additional Pacific
northern and the
Texas Pacific. Both these great
works can be achieved without a
dollar of subsidy. The former has
an immense district of valuable
and that will sell for enough to
the road. The Texas Pa
;Ific has also a donation of land al
ready granted but not Immediately
available to raise money 10 build
,he road. To do this the company
propose to reconvey this land to
he government to be sold and the
proceeds placed in a sinking fund
10 extinguish the company's bonds
1T maturity. To meet the accruing
on their construction bonds,
The company give first lien on all
their property, devoting to the same
purpose the net earnings of the
completed road, the transportation
d troops, stores and Indian sup
plies; also a deposit of $4,000 in
bonds for each completed mile of
road, to meet any possible delay or
default in paying interest. Thus,
amply secured, the company ask the
government to guarantee the inter
asst on the amount of bonds abso
utely required to build the road,
not all at once, but for each ten
mile section as it is completed and
put into operation. AS the compile
ton of this road would save to the
several millions a year
IN the cost of transportation, Dor
der protection and the care OF
Indians, the country and not the
road would be subsidized to just
his amount of money saved by its
In regard to the en-
to ship builders and
ship owners in order to extend our
oreign commerce, it should be re
marked that the only favor asked
is a moderate compensation for the
OF our foreign mails.
Ibis would insure the establish
ne 1t of ocean lines of steamers to
south America, and other parts of
.he world, and the revenue brought
% the government by the increased
.rade thus established would, as ex-
Derience has shown, return to it
the small outlay for mail
transportation.
The commercial conventions al
uded to in the first paragraph Of
his letter should have delegates
from every town and city in the
United States. Invitations have
been widely extended, and if the
West and South desire to promote
heir highest interests, adding vast
Iy both to the population and wealth
Of the country, they should be well
in these assemblies
which are designed to enunciate tire
will upon measures of vital
concern to the whole people.
i'll L.
Real Estate Transfers.