Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-02-15
Third annual Report Of the Directors Of the
MnhiIe and ()hio Railroad C0mnaRy.


graduation masonry &c upon that portion Of the work
between Mobile and Riddles, thus making 33 miles
under contract and upon INSTRUMENTATION
menced Since that period the work has been stead-
ly prosecuted, and the graduation is nearly
pleted upon this portion of the line.
In accordance with the provisions of the charter,
I jury of reeholders summoned, Goth March last
who proceeded to condemn, for the use of the Compa-
nv suitable lands for the terminal depot machine and
4 repair shops &C. &C., at Mobile. The jury returned
verdict, assessing the land damages at the amount
in the aggregate, of s,I72 3d. This verdict secures
to the Company, at noal price, about forty acres
of land at the northern end of the city, with COM
odious water front; and at the south part large and
convenient wharves, to be reached by tracts through
Commerce and Water streets, for the accommodation
of that portion of the city, making in ALL extent of
depot accommodating fully adequate the wants of the
road for many years after its completion The advan-
tages of securing these extensive depot grounds
outset while procurabe at moderate price, may be
estimated when the fact is remembered that terminal
depots ordinarily among the heaviest items of ex-
penditure amounting, with some of the Northern Com
panies, hundreds of thousands Of dollars Of their
capital.
The act of the Legislature of Alabama authorizing
special of 100000 upon real estate in the City
of Mobile, for the benefit of the Mobile and OHIO Rail-
road submitted to the freehoders of the city
the 9th February last and was confirmed by almost
unanimous vote The results of railroad here
have been the elsewhere and property owners
in the city of Mobile already realze-n the improved
demand and enhanced prices of real estate-a return
much greater than the whole amount of the tax to
which they have consented 1t is proposed to change
this tax, at the next session of the Legislature
assessment of two per cent. per upon the real
estate of the city, to continue for five years, the
payer,as to be entitled to stock of the Company
for the amount of his assessments The proposition
has been submitted to number of property holders,
and is received with general approbation and there
be hardly doubt that it will obtain the sanction
of all persons interested in the growth and prosperity
of Mobile. Should the change be authorized, the
Board hone and believe will be. will the
means necessary to complete the roadbed to Kem2er
County line, and enable the Directors to place the
tire work under contract to that point, from whence
Mississippi stands ready take forward, and
stuct through her borders. The experience of 9TH
cities will Justify the opinions that the enhancement
of value of real estate in Mobile consequent upon the
progress of the railroad will far than keep pace
with the expenditures of her citizens for this object
Deemng it matter of the highest Importance to
secure donation of public lands from Congress, the
Board authorized the Chief Engineer to proceed to
Washington in May last, the agent of the Company
to assist in that object. His mission successful
and through the earnest and unrng efforts of the Rep
resentative from the Mobile District and other friends
both in and of Congress- bill finally passed the
House of Representatives, and became law, Septem
Der Goth, 1850, donating lands to lnors, Mississippi
and Alabama to aid in the construction of a Railroad
from Chicago to Mobile. By the provisions of the
act the alternate sections, for six miles in width, on
each side Of the road donated for this purposes and
in deficiency should exist, by of previous
tions of alternate sections within fifteen miles The
proportion of lands acerung to the Mobile and Ohio
Railroad, under this grant, will not be far from one
million of acres, which, at the minimum price at which
the price remaining to tne Guvernnent sufdsI
would amount to two and half million dollars Butt
the construction of railway through these lands will
increase their value materially beyond this point and
udicousy disposed Of after the road shall be compile
ted they will probably realize sum sufficient iroD
the entire line, and furnish it with ample equipments
for large thorough business By order of the Pres-
dent of the United States sales have been suspended
at the various land offices In Alabama and Mississippi
for six months, to enable the Company to make the
necessary selections and two Engineering parties have
been organized, and in the field revising the
lines through the State of Mississippi and preparing
the requisite land maps. nj. j. ID. Baldwin, Esqr.
has been appointed by the Governor of Alabama, to
make the selections in this State, and will proceed to
carry out the objects of his commission without delay
For long distance in Mississippi between the Bucka
tunna and Itawamba county, two routes presented
both favorable for construction, and competing in so
many points, that it will be necessary examine each
more carefully than be done within the next six
months allowed by the Governor for the final location,
before deciding between them The Board have there
fore petitoned the President to extend the time and
suspend sales for four months longer by which the two
competing lines can be fully canvassed their respec-
tive merits compared the location made and the selec
ton of public lands completed.
The Legislature of Mississippi, with view to facil-
ate the construction of the road in that State passed
act their last regular session. authorizing the
Boards of Police, in the several counties, to sub
scribe for the countless in their corporate capacity
exceeding 100000 each to the stock of the Mobile
and Ohio Rail Road provided the be approved by
a vote of the people. The county of Noxubee
the first to act under this aw and the subscription of
her Police Baord ($l00,000) has been sustained by
overwhelming majority The other counties Interest,"
ed will have the question presented for their action
early day. and letters received from the most respec
table and influential quarters, express full confidence
that when the opportunity shall be given, these
ties will follow the example of Noxubee and vote ber
al subscriptions to the stock of the company.
4 contract entered into by the Company, with
Messrs. Bailey, Brothers q Co., iron manufacturers,
!, Wales, through their agents in New York, on 29th.
October last for the manufacture and delivery ship
board of 1850 tones of rails of the pattern to weigh
65 pounds per linear yard and to be of the best qua
ity. This contract made at very favorable time,
when prices was the lowest point, and at average
rate of freight, will be delivered at the Companys
wharf in Mobile, at the low cost of 3S per ton of
2,240 pounds. Advces of the shipment of the first
1000 tons are daily expected, and the remainder will
be shipped in quantities of 1000 tons per month,
r til the contract is completed.
Il The Receipts of the Company, per Treasurer's
Report, up to 3rd. instant, have been as follows:
7 Total to date of last Report $63,S2S sc
e From installments paid on stock, $4,000 90
: g City Tax, l4,483 Is
" i" Engineer Dept, sale horses &c. 1921 so
: e Stations, Interest received, &c. 205 90
g -$88, ,9o9 81
) sl525ss s.
= The Expenditures for the same period have
J been Total to date of last Report sel,4a2 o.
: For Construction, $7l,527 -
n Engineering De'p-Const'n, 5,o77 90
rs g Engineering Dep't-Survey, 1880 50
- /. Expense account, 4,l57 76
" Miss. and Ohio Commission, 204 90