The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1904-07-05
THEY WANT
THE NEW ROAD.
People of Columbus Openly
Declare Themselves TO be
IN Favor of Projected
Line.

city nall thursday night IN re-
sponse to a call from the Pro
gressive Union, the object of the
meeting being to discuss with the
projectors of the Columbus, Mem
phis and Pensacola Railroad
their plans for the building oi
the road.
The Columbus Cornet Band
was present, and enlivened the
occasion by rendering number
of popular selections.
The meeting was called to order
by Secretary Runnels, of the
Progressive Union and upon mo-
ton Hon. J. T. Gunter, our wor-
thy mayor, was selected as per-
manent chairman of the meeting,
Mr.. Runnels being made perma-
nent secretary.
After the meeting had been or
ganized Judge Newman Cayce,
president of the Columbus, Mem
phis and Pensacola railroad, was
introduced and told the people in
comprehensive manner exactly
what had been accomplished by
the projectors of the line and
what they hoped and expected to
accomplish. He began by stat
ing that the railroad was strictly
a Columbus enterprise, with Co.
lumbus men at its head and that
it would be built and operated in
the interests of Columbus.
AS has been stated in the col
umns of The Commercial, the
company has already surveyed a
preliminary line to Amory and
another survey from a common
point on the line to Aberdeen, it
being the purpose of the projec-
tors to build tc some point where
connection with the Frisco sys-
tenn can be secured.
Judge Cayce further stated
that it was the purpose of the in
corporators to build south to some
p o i n in West Alabama. The
wealth and fertility of this section
is well known, and there is and
has been for long time a great
need for a railroad. The speaker
stated that what the road desired
at the hands of Columbus was
right-o Of way through the streets
aud depot and terminal facilities,
saying, however, that this propo-
sition would not be presented un-
til the building of the road was
assured.
In closing Judge Cayce stated
that the road would be glad to
dispose Of stock to the citizens OF
Columbus with the understand
ing that NO money would be called
for until the road was built and
III operation.
Short talks were made by Hon.
T. B. Franklin, Col. VIM. Rhett,
Col. T. J. O'Neill, Mr.. j. A. Stin-
son, Mr.. WI PEBBLES and others,
all of whom spoke enthusiastical-
ly regarding the projected road.
Mayor Gunter spoke in behalf
of the city and stated that the
company could rest assured that
they would receive any aid that
the city could consistently give.
At the conclusion of Mayor
Gunter's talk the following reso-
lutions were offered and were
unanimously adopted:
"WHEREAs, The citizens of CO.
lumbus and Lowndes county,
having listened to the report of
those promoting the building of
the Memphis, Columbus & Pen
sacola railroad, and the explana-
ton of intentions on the part of
the directors of said company,
and,
"WHEREAS, We are deeply i'm
pressed with the possibilities for
trade and revenue that will be
opened up not only to the people
of this city but all residents and
property owners along and ada
cent to said line of railway, and,
WHEREAS, We believe, after
years of observation, that the
building of such a road would
open to this territory u o | d
riches in the way of increased
property values, opportunities for
extension of trade and COM