Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-10-21
From Chattanooga Adrertiser.


The interest now awaken in Tennessee to
provide herself with proper communications
within and with other States, never was more
decided and general than at this time. The
liberal policy OF the State towards such enter
prises, has created this popular feeling in con
nection with the actual existence and benft of
roads now in operation. We have watched the
progress and development Of these companies
in various parts Of the State, and while we feel
deep concern for their prosperity, we are led
to doubt the wisdom of undertaking SO D,uch at
this time. And we also question the propriety
of the State lending her aid so indiscrimnately
to every road, when many Of them may be of
doubtful proftableness for years to come. We
are in favor of the State helping to open the
country and increase the facilities for market
and travel so essential to the wealth and advan-
tage of a community; but we think such assis
lance should be confined to roads of positive
important location by which the general and
natural flow of trade will be made easy and eco
nomical. In this policy, the people will accord
a willing cooperation, and not grumble when
the tax collectors make their annual demands
to meet the bonds of the State and the interest
and liabilities.
Unless this pracautiOn be taken in season,
we shall have shouldered upon the people bur
den in few years so enormous as to create
great dissatisfaction without any possible rene
DIV. Under the present law, the State loans her
bonds to the amount of $4,000 per mile, when
the provisions of grading, &C., are complied
with on the part Of the company A law so
general is taken advantage of by every road in
the State, many of which will not pay per
cent and exclusively local in their position and
importance. As State we NAV have little
trouble to pay the interest on the these loans,
but after awhile the principal will have to he
lifted, and the tax become onerous and Cypress
i've. This need not be the case, however, if
care is exercised III season to prevent the squan-
dering of public credit and the peoples money
to enterprises of sectional bearings.
In this age of excitement, Nashville, Mem
phis and Knoxville have undertake to build too
many roads, and will retard in consequence of
each other. In the construction of the Nash
vile and Chattanooga, the East Tennessee and
Georgia and the Memphis and Charleston Rail
roads, we know how they have Jagged in their
construction, because of lack Of funds. and
how much they exceeded the original estimates
of expenses. They have had the benefit of
State credit, and in addition to that, have had
to borrow largely to complete their lines. And
if this be true exposition CT the condition Of
] the roads mentioned, how very necessary it is
to exercise consumate precauton, to avoid a
position so oppressive and unwieldly as to cause
| bankruptcy or reputation in the State.
| Without speaking so generally, let us conhne
our remarks to East Tennessee, and examine
her true interests. The railroad affairs in our
immediate vicinity CHATTANOOGA as to posjtjoe
action are in Stdtu quO at this time. We cX-
pect an Independent terminoGS Of the Mempus
and Charleston Railroad; a cross road to con
/ Eel r.
gia Railroad; and perhaps. a road south of Us IN
addition to those in operation. Also, it is tn
derstood that the Blue Ridge Road will extend
branch to compete with other roads at this
point, which together will give US facilities of
trade and travel without parallel in the South.
But we have not commenced the construction of
all these roads. nor would it be wise at this cri-
sis.
But KaorrUe, the terminus of the East Ten
nessee and Georgia Railroad, when it shall get
there, has turned her attention to several roads
at once, and with the contracted monetary no.
tons of her citizens, compared with the excess
i've display made through her papers, liable to
make a total future with them all for several
years. Let US examine this subject few mo-
ments. The most important road in construc'
virginia WHICH VII" Upelis all RE 70 az Tt
great northern cities, with which we have sc
much deal. The Virginia company has urged
the completion of this road, and has nearly fin
ished her end of the line. Knorrige and the
parts adjacent, interested most in its success
have allowed it to rock along, for the want Of
friends and energy, so that to-day the prospects
of its completion, are a lille more encouraging
than three gears ago. Yet the whole country Of
| East Tennessee will be more benefited by the
practical operations of this road than any other
road in the State. II will be the great regula-
tor Of roads, and VIII open a channel for compe-
litiOn and diversion il trade, besides intrOdu-
cling a population to develope the resources of
the country east Of the Cumberland. which will
verify surprise the old ogies about that liberal
minded city. The same remark Is true concer-
ming the extending of the East Tennessee and
! Georgia Railroad to that place. Had she taken
an active ground in its favor, which was worthy
and responsible, and which might be expected,
as matter of course under the circumstances,
/ both OF these roads might have been completed
long ago--or, at least, by this time. But no
before either of them are Of her hands, other
| and more extensive routes are undertaken. and
judging from the past, the nature of the aid Civ
en- will be mostly composed of ReicSpGper puHS
and conventional humbug. Without q mile Of
road get near her, she SETS out to construct four
lines, tchen her penuriOuS conduct TO ttcO Of
them, for gears StJ7,gglingto get through, pro-
claims .fdLsehOOd to all her long-winded pro-
fessions. A concentration Of money and labor
on the two first in construction would have If
ted them out of the fog. and now the whole
country generally, and herself in particular,
could have been reaping the golden fruits. If
she will now back up her extravagant zeal and
wind-wOrks of supererogation. with million or
two of hard dollars, and give real ''aid and COM
fort to those praise-worthy companies, we will
be compelled to soften our opinions concerning
other self-conceited and stingy monetary affairs.
| Unless this be done, it were much better that
the people of East Tennessee be not so anxious
to plunge themselves into so many enterprises,
but adhere with adamantine pertinacity to those
now laboring and embarrassed for requisite
means
The State authorities should examine into all
these routes, and use her credit in the further
ance of those most needed and advantageous.
By the Governors Message we find the liabili-
ties of the State increasing in consequence of
these bonds, with deficit of revenue to meet
the expenses of the year; hence before it is too
late, we would have able scrutiny exercised,
and if proper, spare the people the paying of
loans in after years, injudiciously invested at
this time, in roads lot able of themselves to bear
the chief burthen.
| letter, dated Paris, Sept. Is, says that the