The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-02
A FEW HINTS TO CONGRESS
CONCERNING CHAPTERS FOE A
MEAPHIS BRIDGE.
The Merchants Exchange Expresses
Itself In Plain and Convincing
Terms Oh the Subject.

A general meeting OF the Merchant
Exchange was held yesterday fore
noon at IL o'clock, which was largel
attended. The meeting was called /
order by President Chase, who an
nounced the object of the call, whicl
was TO take action in regard to maxim
some recommendation 10 Congress a
to granting the right TO bridge tn
mississippi river at this place. Sec
Ietsry Keeling read the resolutions
which were offered for adoption.
Before taking vote On the ones
ton, DR.. d. T. Porter called on Tbs
Hon. Zach Taylor, who was present
to explain the bill now before Con.
gress.
MIR Taylor said the bill was identi.
cal with the one granting the right 10
the Arkansas Bridge and Construction
Company; that il was not for the ex-
cluive use of any one railroad, but
was for the use of all railroads at rates
fixed by the Seer tary Of War; that il
retained the light for Congress to
amend, alter or repeal the bill. 50,
If any extortion il attempted, the Sec.
rotary Of War will have the remedy at
hand Mr.. Taylor read extracts from
the report OF the Committee OF Com.
melce, in which the old compsny
claimed to have expended $4,000,
making souudin9s, etc. Tbs whole
matter seemed to be a speculative
scheme, and should not be coun.
tensnced.
Mr, Jno. s. Toof said that the Ex-
change should be very explicit and
state that no steps have go far been
taken by the old company to build
the bridge, and he therefore moved to
amend the resolutions 10 cover that
point, which, being voted on, the reso-
lutioos were then read as amended
end unanimously adopted as follows:
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, The Kansas City and Memphis
Railroad and Bridge Company have q bill
before Congress granting, the right TO b. idEe
has hereto ore received the Endorsement Of
tho Merchants and Cotton Exchanges; and
whereas, another company claiming to have
proper grant to build a bridge at Memphis,
bill o. the Kansas City and Memphis Rail-
road and Bridge Company, and heretofore
given assurance that II w)uld begin tho con-
struetion of the bridge authorised to be pul.t
by u before the LIST Of September last pn.t
ant whe, cas-, the Tennessee and ArkauS.
Bridge Company, and the Tennessee Con
tracing Company have Iailed to take any
{ tops to build bridge over the Missisi ppi
river ut this point, having made no sorni-
tempted to do either, and have not man
tested any intention TO build said bridge, |
within our knowledge; and where |
az, T. Is tho opinion OF the, Mor-
Sy snd MaShsSRs sa Sa and Bride Sa%
wise, to build the bridge, II the right 10 do |
30 is granted TO IL, and that being In the in |
torest OF the only railroad companies now
lssuranc. Of Us early construction; II Is
therefore
Rssolvsd, That our Representatives in Con-
Sross be respectfully requested 10 further,
ne early passage Of the bridge bill Of the
Kansas City and Memphis Railroad Bridge
Rs:olp:d. That certificate OF he United
States Engineer and Taxing District Bngi-
ieer BIO appended to those TeselutiOns,s how
ng that NO soundings or survey have been
made by the Tennessee and Arkau as Bridge
company and he Tennessee extraction
md Contracting Company, nor have any
tops been taken show ing any intention on
heir part to so construct said bridge,
r so Ved, That copy Of those resell utions
o seat to each ot'our Representatives in
congress.
On motion OF Mr.. 7. B. Tre@vant, o
ote of thanks was rendered the Hon.
ZACH Taylor for the watchiul care be
las manifested for the interest OF Mem.
his in regard TO this matter.
No further business appearing, the
neeting adj burned.