The organizer. (Oxford, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1849-04-28
UNIvERsIrY, OxFoRD, MTss.,
23rd April IS49.
~ 0e Eailor 81 "a Oyford Orgaaiser.

70 me l1uftQr OF ne S1gI0fu tlrgdnizer. /
DEAR SIR;--
In the last number Of your paper,
observe a paragraph headed ''Iatersql n
prOvemenf in Tennessce.'' 10 which you Of
serveithe Memphis Herald, speaking Of
Injecting contemplated 10 take place. b.
which Lake it for granted did take plac
at Germantown, on the l4lh inst, respect
ling the formation ola rail road from Mem
phis 10 La Grange, evincesa new born zen
for The accomplishment Of this desirable i'm
provement which is truly gratifying. Yol
20 on TO say that two other roads are ike
wise projected from the towns Of COnlmercs
and Austin, the first 10 extend 10 HernandC
in Desoio county, and The other to Pamela
And now write 10 hope, and urge, thai
you will oblige your subscribers and fead-
ers with an abstract Of the proceedings that
took place at the Germantown meeting on
the l4ih, in order thai they may know
what prospect there il, Of this important
Improvement being carried into effect. If
any decisive measures wcro taken il viii
be well, md the Farming and Commercial
interest Of Northern Mississippi ought 10
encourage the undertaking by every means
in their power. Il is an acknowledged
fact that no circumstances have a more
powerful influence 10 promoting the pro-
yression in prosperity Of Towns. Ciiies, and
than easy and rapid communica-
lion by means Of good roads, Or wafer car
Rage. The Iatter we are denied at pres
tent by our natural location; and the former
ire difficult Of attainment on account Of
he peculiar nature Of our soil, which
'beunds 50 much in sand, and is so de-
icien, in hard rock that all roads, even
hough well formed, when constructed are
liable to be washed into deep holes and gull
les, and to be more or less injured by
,ard rains. This very nature Of the soil
would form a very considerable objection
Q The construction and maintenance Of
yOodIron rail road, Or oven q charcoal road,
or this mus. depend upon ihe stability and
,ermanencoof its sleepers and sbeif fodud-
liions, and The expense Of projecting them
rom being undermined Or washed away
would be considerable. Under all cireum-
iunees il does therefore appear 10 me
hal Il this Improvement should be made, .
Timber plank road should % adopted. aud
have no hesilaiiOa IN recommending such
construction. The imnodiaie nciqhbor-
lOod through which Ne road Would ron, |
hounds in 6ue rihiber, aud title occa-
iopal pile driving would eiiectually secure
be foubanion fforD rashing away; While
4 ne o,her hund, Iron. Stone, Lime,
lricks, and other necessary maietials
sould have 70 b imported Al bosvyysx
enses from distant places. 1
Plank Roadsste Al present unknown IN
be Southern s.ales, but they aso mol mat
~ d esperimen. since they have been,
xlensisely lried aud Tested during many
ears both ia Rossn ana n cahada. IA
'bith lasl place upwards ~ 500 miles ofl
ZEN have been ons.lnciea within "a al
ye,rl. of pronlils % b 81 most ei.sh
i've utility TIE oriy mslehtI differences
sIpelh iron nd flabE tolds Is " .Asifl
asbliiy Batlhs Differences vani. is
timber growing eoonlfy On accbd6l ol|
ie very small arpense of laying 10 nlank
- e. compared With one 81 ia. g 80
lsy can h renewed may linsa ~ 81
1T ofone iroa RAJ. Their arssaps az.
Iish has been proved, ubero thsy haze
60 "a ans, 20 be from 40 D ylsrt. ga
.espi Improvements have been made ~
Is whisk cahsel diem % endure naeh
asar Butefon n ihusbori liioa llsy .
fstsea fosa3s gisii sseh si.rls 49, /.
~ llat a. erass a. fsiasIse NE /,
ksd tssa hiis$ Ell Iht p.oa..ss
= y iPslial sails - TIE lone sire1hs. /,
~ end ,.ba5 rol. dtssis1i IL uious o. /,
-svsi, u.hich atasnsin oar Wssusn end !,
'uihsrn States, and hey srs con.isersd 7