NP, YE 9/10/1862

From the Yorkville (S. C.) Enquirer
September 10, 1862
 
Railroad Convention
   The Convention was organized by the choice of Mr. John Caldwell as President, and Messrs. Samuel G. Jones and Alfred L. Tyler as Secretaries.
   Committees were appointed to report on transportation, supplies and schedules.
   The Committee on Transportation made a report which was adopted, recommending that the transportation of troops, soldiers on furlough and discharged soldiers, be two cents per mile on main lines, and three cents on side lines. Commissioned officers on furlough to pay full fare. On freight, the rate offered y Government was adopted, viz: 1st class, 65 cents per 100 lbs. per 100 miles, 2d class 20 cents, 3d class $20 per car load, 4th class $15 per carload. If carried on passenger trains, the rate to be increased 50 per cent. Each road to adopt and publish its own regulations in relation to the carriage of dead bodies.
   The Committee on Supplies made a report recommending that two establishments for the rolling of railroad iron and the manufacture of supplies be erected, one near the iron and coal region of Alabama, and the other upon Deep river, in North Carolina. The Companies in South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia to join in the erection of the works on Deep river, and the Companies in the other States to join as far as possible in the erection of the other. And as the Government has taken into its possession all the coal, iron, brass, copper, tin, tools, &c., and also the mechanical skill o0f the country, that application be made in the name of this Convention to the Government, requesting that such articles may be supplied at cost to any Company that may truly need them.
   The following was adopted:
   That owing to the difficulties and delays of settlements, for the present, through tickets should not be sold in either direction beyond Augusta, Savannah, or Charleston; and it is recommended that through tickets be arranged on the basis of the local rates of each road, and that a standing committee be appointed to prepare such tickets as soon as the rates over all the lines can be ascertained.
   The following resolutions were unanimously adopted.
   Resolved unanimously by this Convention, That our best endeavors for the future, as in the past, shall be given to the Confederate Government in the transportation of troops and Government property. And hereby respectfully request the President of the Confederacy to issue an order that officers of the Government shall not interfere with the loading or running of trains, as our experiences has been that such interference has heretofore resulted both in detriment to the Government and to the road.
   Resolved further, That Dr. Lewis, representing the Government in this Convention, is requested to bring the above resolution to the notice of President Davis, and to solicit his prompt action in the promises.
   Resolved, That in making schedules in future, time shall be given at suitable watering places, for soldiers and other passengers to obtain water, and that it shall be the duty of conductors to have it announced to the passengers on all the trains, upon arriving at those places, that the train will stop -- minutes for the purpose of obtaining water.
   Resolved, That the rates reported and adopted this day do go into operation on the 1st proximo.
   Resolutions of thanks to the City Council and to the Chairman were adopted, after which the Convention adjourned.

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