Thibodaux minerva., 1855-03-24
Opelousas Railroad-Cade & Baker.

Opelousas Railroad-Cade g. Baker.
Having concluded our researches for Information
and agreeably to promise, we now lay before th
public the full particulars Of the contract entere
into between Messrs. Cade & Baker on one par
and the President and Directors of the New o.
leans. Opelousas, and Great Western Railroad Con
of the road lying between the bayous Terrebonn
and Beuf In making this expose some may re
gard us as rendering ourselves too offcious, and
meddling in matter which in no wise concerns us
In one sense, we fully and freely admit that we ar
in no wise interested in the controversy; but il
another sense as the friends of internal improve
ments as faithful chroniclers of passing events,
comes within our legitimate duties, without at al
being desirous of casting censure, could we ayol'
it, on Messrs Cade & Baker-in view that the con
troversy has been sought by the friends OF thes
gentlemen through the medium Of the press Of thel
immediate neighborhood- defend the Board
| Directors, and the interest of the stockholders
and although we have long been in possession O
some of the leading facts which lead to disagree
ment between the contracting parties for the com
pletion of the section of the road above alluded to
we never should have given them publicly, excep
under the circumstances which now impel us to dc
so-viz: as act of justice to the President and
Board of Directors of the Railroad Company. With
these predatory remarks intended as palliative fol
what we may say, we proceed to the question at IS
SUCTION whom should fall the blame for the
failure of the contract between Messrs. Cade &
Baker and the President and Directors Of the Ope.
lousas Railroad?"
Our intimacy with number Of gentlemen con-
nected with this great enterprise, one which, when
completed, is destined to place our State among
the richest and most enerprsng Of the confederacy,
warrants us in giving and vouching for the follow
ing unyarnished statement Of facts; facts which
can be substantiated upon good and responsible
evidence.
To begin, the President of the Company Hon. J..
H. Overton, advertised for proposals in one, if not
several of the New Orleans daily papers, for the
construction Of that portion of the road lying be-
tween the bayous Terrebonne and B9uf. The bids
were to be based upon profes, plans and specif-
cations to be seen and consulted at the office of the
company in New Orleans. Several bids were sub
mitted, and among the number, one by Messrs.
CADE & BAKER, which was accepted, and the parties
notified of the fact. So far, so good. What did
they propose to do9 They proposed and agreed
to construct said section for the sum of 100000,
payable as follows: The sum of $4,000 cash, at
the end Of three months, provided that amount
should be earned; further sum Of $4,000, at the
expiration Of six months and credit of twelve
months with eight per centum interest per annum
on all subsequent estimates, from date of each
equivalent to cash on all, as the whole was secured
by deposit Of s15O,oO0 in bonds, and their lien
on the road and the iron laid on the road to be
built by them. Before this bid was accepted there
was no end to their promises. They were fully
aware that the price asked by them was enormous;
and so were the Board Of Directors; but with the
view Of forwarding the work they considered it
best for the stockholders to acquiesce. "But,"
said Cade & Baker, tive will build first class
road; an A, No. l road in every respect-ask no
favors-no concessions-will make it better than
the Chief Engineer may require" In fact, that
they would make it SO good, and SO complete in
every particular, that language is almost inadequate
TO express how good! They further stated in SUBJ
stance if not words that they represented the people
Of Attakapas who wanted a road, and had con-
idence in them; and that they took pity on them,
md the Railroad Company; that being themselves
ich, they did not take the contract for the pur-
,ose of gain, but merely with the view of construct
ng perfect road for the good people Of the At
akapas and the Railroad Company. The sequel
will more clearly show that these would-be bene-
actors Of the good people Of the Attakapas, had
IN eye into the Golfers of the company at the same
ime, and intended to extract therefrom the utmost
lolar in their power. But fortunately for the In
,ocent stockholders their exactions even surpassed
hose Of shylock, and the company after many inn
,ortant concessions, were compelled to yield no
more.
To give our readers some insight and to let them
how high Messrs. Cade & Bakers bid
ras, consider Bates, Benson & Co.'S, which was
s1O50o per mile, all a,ep auork. They would have
made money, but for bad management, unfavorable
Weather, and the sickly season. Messrs. Cade &
Bakers price was $4,000 per mile, on same sec
ion NTH eight and quarter miles, out Of eighteen
md a quarter, fully graded; tno and a third
miles, clearing done!
Well, their bid, Notwithstanding they did not
wish to make any money by the contract was ac-
.cpted ON their own terms. All that they asked
vas acceded to- In due course Of time they pro-
,eeded to New Orleans to conclude and sign the
contract. Every body was delighted. The whole
country and city press in ecstacies, bestowing
he need Of praise, as they thought, on two liberal
md high minded friends of internal improvements.
Their names were to b handed down to posterity
or having been instrumental in lending their valu-
be aid and fortunes towards the completion of one
# the chief iron arteries that was to revive the
lrooping energies Of the Great Commercial Mart Of
he Southwest. Their names were reverberated
rom one end Of the line to the other and they were
'egarded as the noblest Romans of them all, who