Letter from Chairman F. S. Davis to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; October 28, 1875

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Letter from Chairman F. S. Davis to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; October 28, 1875

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Clapp, J. W.Davis, F. S.Dunscomb, S. H.Ensley, Enoch, 1836-1892?Gates, Samuel M.Latham, T. J.Pettit, J. T.Rhodes, Travis Thompson, Jacob, 1810-1885 Toof, Jno. S. (John S.)Willins, John T.

Events

Conventions Conventions--Tennessee. Convention (1875)Legislation. United States. Congress Political Office--Appointment to office

Organizations

Boards of Trade Memphis Chamber of Commerce Mississippi--Congressional Districts Mississippi--Executive Department United States--Congress Watercraft

Businesses

Railroads and Railroad Companies Railroads and Railroad Companies--Southwestern Pacific Railroad Company (Unknown)Railroads and Railroad Companies--Texas & Pacific Railroad Company (Marshall, Texas)

Occupations

Legislators Secretaries Treasurers

Places

Missouri--Independent City. Saint Louis Tennessee--Shelby County. Memphis

Page 1

Call of a Convention at Memphis, November 19th, 1875, relative to the location and construction of the TEXAS & PACIFIC RAILROAD, AND OTHER MATTERS.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
Memphis, October 28, 1875.

DEAR SIR:

It is understood that at the next session of Congress, the effort will be renewed to procure the passage of a bill in aid of THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD; and it is known that a Convention has been called to assemble at St. Louis on the 23d of November next, to take action in regard to a "Southwestern Pacific Railroad."

In view of the practical and vital interests involved in these trans—continental railway enterprises, and especially in view of the transcendent importance of the Texas and Pacific road to the people of the MIDDLE, SOUTHERN and SOUTHWESTERN STATES, the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, at a late meeting, appointed the undersigned a Committee to arrange for the assembling of a Convention in this City, on

Friday, the 19th Day of November, 1875,

To be composed of delegates from the States most immediately interested.

The proper location of the Texas and Pacific Road, and particularly of the eastern terminus of the grand trunk and its radiating branches, are matters the importance of which cannot be over-estimated in the influence they will exert upon the general prosperity of the Southern and Southwestern States, and especi-ally upon the commercial welfare of our seaports and cities.

The especial object, therefore, in the call of this convention at Memphis——a city that feels itself most deeply interested—is for the purpose of conference, and to secure harmony of views and concert of action, without which no reasonable hope can be entertained of a successful application for the aid of the National Government; and we cordially invite and earnestly request those who feel an interest in common with us, and especially the people of the Middle, Southern and Southwestern States, to meet with us here in conven-tion on the day designated by the Chamber of Commerce—whose wishes we represent—to take such action in the premises as may be deemed advisable.

Respectfully,

F. S. DAVIS,
JACOB THOMPSON,
S. H. DUNSCOMB,
ENOCH ENSLEY,
J. W. CLAPP,
T. J. LATHAM,
SAM. M. GATES, Committee.

N. B.—To facilitate the deliberations of the Convention, the Committee would respectfully suggest the following mode of representation:

That the Governor of each State represented, appoint not exceeding five (5) delegates for the State at large, and one (1) for each Congressional District.

That each city or town appoint but two (2) delegates for a population under five thousand (5000,) and one (1) for each additional ten (10) thousand.

That each Chamber of Commerce, Cotton Exchange or Board of Trade, will appoint for fifty (50) members one (1) delegate, for one hundred (100,) two (2,) for three hundred (300,) three (3,) and for each additional two hundred (200) members, one (1) delegate.

That each incorporated Railroad, Steamboat or Mining Company, will appoint not more than two (2) delegates.

All Members of Congress and United States Senators, whose constituents are interested in the enter-prise, are cordially invited to be present and participate in the deliberations of the Convention.

Arrangements have been made with all railroads terminating here, to carry delegates to and from the Convention for one fare.

For the Committee,

F. S. DAVIS, CHAIRMAN.

OFFICIAL:

JNO. S. TOOF,
Sec'y Memphis Chamber of Commerce.

Page 2

Memphis Chamber of Commerce,
CORNER OF MADISON AND FRONT STREETS,

Memphis, Tenn., Novem. 1^st 1875,

J. T. PETTIT, PRESIDENT.
JNO. T. WILLINS, TREASURER.
JNO. S. TOOF, SECRETARY.

To His Excellency,
Adelbert Ames,
Governor of Mississippi,

Dear Sir,

I respectfully call your attention to the enclosed call for a Convention to meet in this City, on Friday the 19th. inst, and would ask and urge, that you make a selection of dele-gates to represent your State, as therein sugges-ted. I am especially desirous to have a thoroughly representative convention of the various business and commercial interests of the entire South, to the end that, its voice may exert a powerful influence upon the legislation of Congress, upon the subject to be considered by said Convention.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,

F. S. Davis
Chairman Committee.

Page 3

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,
Tennessee ~~County,~~

From F. S. Davis, chm'n.
Address Memphis
Dated November 1, 1875.
Received ^,, 3, ^,,
Answered [gap]

SUBJECT:

Asking that delegates be ap-pointed to represent Mississippi in Railroad Convention to be held on the 19^th Nov. 1875.

(Inclosures [gap])

ADELBERT AMES,
Governor.

TRAVIS RHODES,
Private Secretary.