Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-03-18
rrrrcrs Of R.11Ro,ps-Tt has been our

EFFECTS OF RA1LRoADs.-Tt has been GU,
Measure, as we'll as duty. for some years
mast to point out to our readers the effects
which railroad enterprises produce upon the
regions through which they pass. of the
increase of wealth, of production, Of emigra'
ton, they stimulate, along and adjacent to
their lines, of the addition to the commerce
ofthe various cities from which they start
and at which they terminate, they invaria.
bIy cause, and of the trade they absolutely
created, which otherwise would never have
known an existence. We have done this
in order to excite a railroad spirit, spirit Of
enlarged and active enterprise, among our
people; for it was plainly evident 10 US, as 1t
was 10 all intelligent and rejecting men,
along the ole fastened way. while the ba-
lance of the world was travelling by steam,
that we would be left so far out of sight in a
short time that we would never be able to
overtake our more liberal and enterprising
rivals. 1t is some satisfaction to know that
our efforts, and the efforts of our fellow
laborers in the good canse, have not been
unproduc,ive. In few months our citizens
will have an opportunity of visiting the
piny woods Of Mississippi by means Of the
Jackson Railroad; and the day is not far
distant when we will all be enabled to reach
the western potion of Louisiana in cars
that will fly over the iron tract the Opelou-
sas Company is now engaged so actively in
laying.
That railroad do absolutely make business
we could cite nemerous instances in proof
and wonld do so. did we deem any body
unadvised of so notorious fact. They not
only add 10 commerce by the facilities they
afford for rapid, safe and cheap transporta-
ton from point to point but by inducing
emigration to. and the consequent settle
ment and development of unoccupied hands,
create a new element of trade which goes to
swell, often very materially, the grand ag-
gregate of the common prosperity and
general wealth.
Yesterday morning we gave synopsis of
the annual report of the President of the
Mobile and Ohio Railroad Company. The
following, extracted from the Tribune, of
the 9Th instant, gives home illustration of
the correctness of the propositions we have
made above, which every one can under
stand and appreciate. As it is nearest to US,
i, will probably be looked upon with more
interest and confidence than illustrations
taken from distance, although the result,
as general thing, is invariably the same
everywhere ~-.4.s
ain the report read by the President of
this Railroad at the meeting on Monday
night it was shown thatIth net returns Of
the company for the running TO Chronicle
were s42l87, for the year ending the first
Of last February, and that the expenses were
s2sls7, thus leaving net income Of $751;
1876, or in round numbers, some forty per
cent. 70 ',. " .t..z,t
n g Al 1 go. Ill
from the company's business. This de-
the expenses of running include all the
expenses, there is still handsome profit.
~ The chief interest of this statement con-
sists in the fact that all of this business has
been made by the road. IT. has educed 1t
from nothing It would be more interest
ing fact to know what is the aggregate
value of the property on the road now as
compared to its value before the road was
proposed. This value ought to be taken
into account in considering the benefits of
the work, as it will doubtless be so taken in
assessing for State taxation. ~ 4. ,=I
Now, if within the barren and despised |
soil which the working. part Of the road
trayerses, these great results have been |
accomplished, what will be its effects after
it shall have penetrated into the richer |
regions which lie beyond1 The result will
be enormous s,-.s ~. ..st IS 4 se
Here is a palpable evidence of the bene-
fetal SELECTS of railroads. Here are
"fxed facts" that should cause old fogydom
to get rid Of a little Of its dread of innovation,
its fears that we'll directed enterprise is moi
exactly the thing needed in this crisis in
the commercial history of New Orleans.
Why. here are thirty-three miles Of railroad,
the beginning of a great work, running
through comparatively barren country,
withrno extraneous advantages, in truth, |
with every thing to contend against, thai
has actually created handsome business. all |
things considered, within the year the cars
commenced running! Could stronger proof
OF the creative power of railroads be given
We think NOT Railroads are, unquestionably,
great creators and. developers, as well as
facilitafors of trade and commerce, commu-
nication and travel. sfosiJ, i6sf , >sa#
We have not the smallest doubt but that
the next reports Of the Jackson and Opeiou-
.sas Railroad companies will show that those
roads, too, have already created considera-
bic and a growing business, such As will I
give ample evidence ofthe profitableness Of T
the roads, as we'll rs Of the vast benefits
they will confer upon the people Of the |
country, upon the people Of the city,G and
npon commerce in all Of its extended raHli-
6cations generally.fasN. o.. Bulletin. ssaaT
"a Nor VERT EscouRAaIxa.-The latest news
We have from Washington in reference to the |
Pacific Railroad, is the following from the
New York Courier. and Enquirer. of the 25th ult
i VIII Be seen that nothing is proposed tobe
done for the New Orleans roufe tn the Pacific |