Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-02-15
JAMES WHITFIELD.
February 18th, 1851.
MOBILE. February 9Th. 10.

MOBILE February sth., 1851.
James IVhitfeld-My Dear Sir: On the subject Of tho
Mobile and Ohio Railroad we steadily at work here,
in preparing the roadbed for the iron the extent Of
33 miles, this trust to be completed by August and
the on it, thence onward to Mississippi. IL that
State be stimulated to action and effective exer
tons and through the whole line the road can be
ready for iron to Tennessee in two years. the like re-
suit in Tennessee and Kentucky, will attend the same
efforts in those States
We locating the whole line and soon will
indicate it the ground. While it cannot be expec-
ted the line will be perfectly satisfactory all nd-
vduals the Directors and rules in the company will be-
and those that best the great project looking
first the true principles of engineering and then to
the communities aiming to meet the great interests
where it be done consistently with correct and
sound structure and not DETECTING too much from the
direct line from this place the North of the Ohio
nor is it very desirable to farmer the line should be
too his home distance Of five to fifteen miles
is not cut of the way, for the advantages RAILROAD
produces to agricultural interest. You are fully
of the objects and advantages this oadpresent
and am in hopes you and your friends,wi innse the
true spirit into the whole upper counties The course
we have marked cut is, as soon as the licalocatedz
we shall show each mile, the amount of labor be
done ana OHer IL Tor 10 l0cdl SUBSCRIBERS
neghborhood fer construction up the REQUESTS of
the engineer, which is get the roadbed grading,
bankments bridging, track timbe, &c. &C., ready for
the Iron. This being done by the farming power of
the country, undertake to prepare the iron and
equipment of engines, depots &C., ready for BUSH
rapidly as the farmers will build the roadbed.
Now the owners of the wealth of the country do
this much, yes, but will they! There is the rub We
dnuht tha whole i fa
They do it in Georgia. and did it while the attending
circumstances were against the enterprise Here, at
the present time everything avors. rich soil-fxed
population-out of debt and growing large crops-but
to get to market for sales purchases great cost
in time, labor and money. This road being DONE the
natural advantages remain the same but all social and
pecunary features improved and enhanced almost be-
yond any fanced anticipations.
Let the subject be stimulated until every county has
agreed to tax itself for the road payable to the COM
pany The county is to receive the stock therefor so
it is only investment producing ere long an income
that Will much of the future tzxatfv ana at the
same time is increasing all the items of properly
The Legislature reduced State taxaton-hs voted tax
does not bring the taxes back to the regular before
the reduction If the counties ripe for this taxa
tOn and understand it. Be liberal in their views
the it is voted the better The next thing is
the solid subscription of money stock payable at suit
able times, and these items being enough we are ready
to give out the contracts and as before said first offer
ing to the citizens of each neighborhood MANY of the
farmers would prefer put their own force at fair
ges-nd provisions and material fair prices taking
pay in Railroad stock certificates of debt against the
company to having their lands large force of for
egn laborers.
These views in the main, those that are govern
ing us-it will be placed in personal shape before
the people of Mississippi, before months in way that
will test the question of their being in earnest and
to build the road
Since the organization of the company our time has
been fully taken up in the great labor of preparation
by preliminary surveys by careful engineering BY est-
mates by studying capacity, by thg to indoctri-
nate the people, that they the road and can build
SO much as is asked of them by obtaining Legislative
enactments from each State interested and great do
nation from Congress, and by local construction
showing that we have planted the Railroad Tree here,
and if it does not grow all through the State of Mis-
sissppi, it is not the fault of us down here These
varied labors neither few or small Time and
money and correspondence have been freely given.
We haze paid an immense amount in these prelmina-
ry but necessary abors and the people of Mississippi
pi is now offered the fruits of these labors We can
now tell them Understandings, what is requsit and if
they do it, the road is made that made their prosper
ity, Is, God willing, in their hands;-this road
made, we become completely independent-we have
our own sea-board own internal commerce,-eye-
ry necessary variety of climate-rch soils and mex
haustible mineral wealth-we can be above all agita
ton of disturbing politics All the agitation want
to see is to agate the people for this road IT. after
all, the good people do not with strong hand
and readiness-we have done our duty
With regard, yours truly,
SIDNEY SMITH,
/ President Mobile and Ohio Railroad Companu.