Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1853-11-16
fFoR TIE UNION ANb AMERICAN.
TENNESSEE RAILROADS.


The Legislature Of the State, at its last session,
1852, adopted system of railway improvements
then thought to be expedent and equitable to the
different sections and promised aid in the loan of
bonds to the amount OF eight thousand dollars per
mile, to certain companies, upon the condition OF
their complying, within given time, with the re-
quirements of the act that they should have the
whole amount of their stock subscribed, sufficient
to grade the road, &c, and have thirty miles, or
more, prepared for the reception of the iron rails
| For the purpose of encouraging and securing
continuous line of railway throughout the State,
charters were granted for the formation of a COM
pany to build railroad from Nashville to Memphis
and another from Nashville to Madrid Bend, on the
Mssissipni river. TO these with common Trunk,
from Nashville to the Tennessee river, crossing
between Ross Ferry and one mile below Whiteoak
Island, the aid of the State was pledged. But, in
case of the failure of either Of these to comply with
the requirements Of the act above specified in four
years from its passage then the same aid was prom
ised to the Tennessee Central Railroad Company.
with alo the powers and privileges pledged to the
others.
Either Of these lines would give tolerably d.
rect connection between Nashville and the Mssis-
sppi river, as contemplated by the Legislature but
the Central Railroad would be the most direct, and
in the line for the nearest communication with the
system Of railways in contemplation beyond the
Mississippi, in Arkansas, Texas, and towards the
Pacific ocean. In adopting system Of improve
ments, Tennessee should look to these connections.
by the most direct route, if she would invite them
to her borders.
Nashville being the first great radiating point of
railways east of the Mississippi river would natur
ally attract these connections if she were wise, in
building direct line to meet them; avoiding all
devious routes. These will necessarily be superced
ed in time as every where else if they should be
constructed. Such Railroad would, moreover,
bring a very large amount of trade and travel to
Nashville and along the Tennessee works, which
are now turned away and seek other marts and
channels for want of it. In all time to come this
deprivation will not only continue, but be increased
should certain enterprises be carried out, the object
and effect Of which is to turn every thing away
from the Metropolis. 1t will not only be felt in the
commercial and other business relations of Nash
vile but in the colleges and other literary insttu
dOllS, tennessee, IN the profits OF
all Railroads throughout the State.
Under the provisions Of the charter for Railroad
from Nashville to Memphis, some thousands of
dollars have been subscribed in Carroll county, with
a view to constructing a road to connect with the
Mississippi Central Railroad when extended at
Jackson. But the citizens in the counties more
Immediately interested in the Tennessee Central
po;I, 81
railway from Nashville to Memphis or from Mem
phs to Nashville, have subscribed 1925, 900 to the
stock of thatroad, organized their Company, accord
ing to the charter expended some $1,000 or $4,000,
in surveys, &c, and are now ready to make large
additional subscriptions and proceed Immediately
with the work Of construction provided the Legis-
lature will now give them the aid of the State
heretofore promised contingently, whenever they
shall comply with the requirements of the law. This
Company holds the State bound to the fulflment of
the compact which has been formed and from which
it cannot be released
1t IS true that certain parties have seized upon
the charter granted for the purpose Of constructing
Railroad from Nashville to Memphis, organized
Company under it, with the avowed object Of build
ing road from the latter city to Louisville in Ken
lucky; and claimed the aid of the State for this
purpose; design never intended, but positively
fused by the Legislature granting it. Having formed
combinations very injurious to other portions ofthe
State, they now come forward and ask the present
General Assembly to sanction their usurpation, by
passing other enactments, to enable them to con-
summate It'll Nothing could be more detrimental
to other sections of the State.
VIII not the members of the Legislature be dis
posed to carry out in good faith, heretofore man.
Tested, the purposes of the people of TENNESSEE?