The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-25

ana 10 whom has been referred various resolu- tions touching the resources of the state, the best measures and methods of inducing immi- grafton and kindred subjects, beg to submit
 That officials of the following named rail roads have met in conference by invitation with your committee viz The St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern of the Missouri Pacific system, the St. Louis Arkansas and Texas, the Little Rock and Fort Smith. the Memphis and Little Rock, the Arkansas Valley, the Frisco, the Eureka Springs, Batesville and Brinkley, and the Memphis and Charleston That said railroad officials not only assured your commit tee of their hearty goodwill and cooperation with the convention and people of the state in this, our first great movement to induce and attract immigration and capital to the state. but in a spirit of the utmost sincerity and lib- erality they entered into discussion at once with the committee as to the best methods and plans for accomplishing the objects ill view. Their taluable suggestions. earnest action and deep interest convince your committee that their roads will prove. railroads have proven elsewhere, potent factors for the success of the great movement which we have met here to inaugurate, and your committee believe that grand results may be accomplished by such a course of future legislation as VIII encourage, under just restriction, not discourage railroad enterprises within the state.
 Their lines wIll give excursions through the state during the months which are deemed most favorable and desirable by tickets sold at one fare for round trip to excursionists, and also special immigration rates thereafter issued with View of placing every section of the state through which they traverse on an equal footing.
 
 by this convention will, as soon the railroads have agreed on the dates of excursions furnish the county members of the bureau with such dates and with any other information which will enable each county and section to extend invitations to eXcursionists and immigrants to Visit and examine the irrespective localities.
 It Is the sense of this committee that this convention views with great satisfaction the deep interest taken by the different lines of road referred to, in the grand movement here inaugurated. This opinion is gathered from the broad and liberal spirit manifested by the railroad officials and the outspoken sentiment Of the members of the convention in unprece- dented numbers here assembled. The thanks of the convention due, and hereby rendered to them, for the interest courtesy, and genuine sympathy manifested by tneir presence and action, and their efforts ill the past.
 It is meet and proper that we should, in ev- cry manner and on this and every occasion, place the manifold advantages anu resources of Arkansas before the homeseeker and capi- talist who may des re to obtain information of the same The details of this information should Do in due time furnished in the form of statistics and descriptive matter, but for the present it may suffice to summarize such information by some incontrovertible ia ts.
 The demands of the existing competition among the enterprising and rapidly develop ing states of the American Union iinperatively require, and the climate, soil, timoer, river facilities iron, coal, granite, and other min- erals, the cotton. fruit, and other crops, and the almost limitless general resources of our vast state fully justify the eXertion of every facility anu ability at our command to present the advantages of our state in just and true light to the other states of the Union and to the world.
 In the regime of these times great resources depend for their development and applica- tion upon great increase in population; to be secured by earnest effort and warm welcome to visi ors and settlers therefore the assembled delegates from every part Of Arkansas justly and proudly claim that no state in this coun- try of, rs as great inducements to labor and capital seeking reasonable opportunity, and paying investments, as this crystal state of the great valley of Arkansas.
 We are confessedly the best cotton state in the Union.
 his is the best watered state in the country and possesses the most valuable timber. and timber in the greatest quantity and variety.
 As u fruit state we have repeatedly eclipsed | all competitors, having several times received ! the highest prize therefor in open rivalry with | all corners.
 Our state yields iron of the very best l quality, and i'll quantities that simply in | anu coal of the best bituminous | variety, and in unlimited amounts, besides | granite, manganese, antimony, silver, slate, and most other minerals of u kind and il amounts which justly entitle this state to sue ,essfully vie with the best mineral states in America. Our mining interests in process 1 of rapid development
 Our soil is of the richest and our climate as ,alubrious as can be found anywhere between the oceans.
 The innumerable mineral and thermal springs )f Arkansas, some of which are already world renowned, not surpassed in the quantity and efficacy of their waters by any other part of the habitable globe.
 Arkansas has one Of the best public school 'ystems in the Union and our educational in- erests are well advanced.
 Your committee believe that so great are the manifold advantages and resources of Arkansas hat they need only to be laid before the thou sands of people in the proper form and manner % induce them to come and make their homes md invest their money within our borders.
 In furtherance of the general plan and pur- pose of this State immigration Convention it is lrged upon the people that as the railroads are eady and will commence active operations to lid and induce people to come to Arkansas and inspect the advantages and resources of the ,tate, they the people, should organize at once oe brought to the notice and realize the speedy advantages of ths great movement. It is sug- tested that every county in the state, or sub divisions thereof, such townships cities owns and neghborhoods, organize immigra- ion committees for the purpose of gathering he advantages and resources of it's particulsr ection, to be placed before the people of the world. Full and fair descriptive reports should ,e made.
 The organization of the State Bureau of Im- migration will necessarily devise ways and means as to how money shall be raised and appended until supplemented with legislative id
 The thanks of the people of the state and all friends of immigration and progress are due to he press of the state for their earnest and ffective efforts at all times in this grand 
 W coneratulate the people of Arkansas on he signal harmony which has prevailed ill the ouncils of this con yention and in the organiza-
 y3| EE ,=3