The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-06-06

MemNcfS VIII observe DV examining tue
map, that hangs near by on the wall, that
there is now Railroad from Clinton to Port
Hudson, and projected rail road laid ont
from this place direct TO Clinton They will
see that they form m acute angle 1t is pro
posed by the friends Of the contemplated rail
road from here to Clinton, to avail themselves
Of the advantages of both, so as to have as
little new grading TO do as possible. It is pro-
posed to follow the route direct from here TO |
Clinton, for about fifteen miles, and thence by
. new route, about six milos in length, to inter
sect the Clinton and Port Hudson Rail Road
not far from place called midway. This
wond make the entire distance about thirty
three miles. For the first fifteen miles, the /
route has been twice graded first for rail-
road, aud secondly, for plankroad, The six
miles Of new road is comparatively, dead
level That part Of the Clinton & Port Hudson
road may require regarding on portions Of it,
so that IL may he seen at n glance that this
road will not cost rs much to build i as I'll
would II il was to be graded the whole way.
| propose to show that this will be q paving
road as soon as it is put into operation. First,
then. as TO the cost. what will il he?
The estimated cost of the railroad from Bat
on Rouge TO Clinton, SO miles, assume to be
as follows:
7 iron railing. per nile, At $4,000, .... $4,000
- 10 cedar cross tics nj 10 ccnts 2T.000|
Grading Xix miles Of new road. and rc-gra-
ing other portions. ......,........... l2.Ooo
LAYING down the iron. $500 per milr... 5000
Spikes and chairs. 500 per miIe. ...... 1920
Total. y. S2i370o
10 which add. 10 cover MI other expenses
Of every kind or description. ......... 100000
$3l3.7Oo
Now this is the grand total Of the cost Of
The Railroad fairly aud literally estimated.
Now Ms to the income should il be built.
The amount Of cotton shipped on the Clinton
and Port Hudson railroad, on nil average for
the last three wears am informed. was 10000
bales: IEorSlIcadS or sugar, 1900: BARRELS Of
molasscs, 1000: Persons travelling 5000; the
receipts, from these sources, on an average,
for the years s5i, 1855, and 1856, were $50,
50T i5. To assume that onc.third more would
be realized Of good crop year, none would
deny, which would swell the aggregate to S52,
GG1. assume rs a fact in addition TO this,
that tie income from passengers. travelling on
this road whenever il is built will he one hun
|drcd fold greater than it is from Clinton to
Port Hudson on tie present roa !. This. if
true, and have no doubt of it. will increase
the income Of lhc rond from Baton Rouge TO
j, Clinton, $50. 900 This sum added 10 the
$52. fG1. will make total of $50, CO. Now
take half of this sum for current cApenSrS ami
it will leave Sal 1888 as the nett profit of the
road. VIII not this be handsome profit on
1913, 700, which we have shown will be the
cost Of the road. 1t will he more than ten per
cent, and | believe it will be greater, much
greater than these figures show, and will con.
time TO increase with each succeeding year
| have thus attempted to show that the raj
road from Baton Rouge to Clinton would be
source Of royenHc upon the amount invested
Even should the cost annunt TO five hundred
thousand dollars. and the State should bulC
the entire road, it would be profitable invest
mcnt, as the revenue arising from II would h'
over EIGHT per cent interest upon tho capita
invested But II will never cost flat amount
Those members who. have not the sIightos
doubt opposed the New Orleans and R0tol
Rouge railrold Oh the ground fiat it wonc
not he profitable, cannot, with fairness, oppos'
this on that ground.
Honorable members should act upon th
question precisely rs they would if thcy wcrc
nillll| III Iht III lHhlA lIlHllh VI Nnfii Wv u
{ They should not demand that every railroad
upon which they may he called on TO lend Tho
aid Of the State, should at once be profitable
to the State, but they should look ahead nnC
see if II will not be SO in n few years The
should ascertain, if the Investment asked for
will contribute TO increase the value Of othr
sources Of revenue in which the State is dcepl,
interested, Just rs they would undertake t
ditch and improve an estate Of their own
VIII this road tend TO increase the population
along its border, and bring lands into cnltiya
ton that have never before been improved
aud by that means increase the wealth anl
J productions of the state, VIII it add to th
:. happiness and convenience Of the people tina
! ask for it, Can the state lend this aid withou
loss? Does the constitution authorize it? Thes
are the principles, in the humble opinion o
your speaker, that should govern members il
: coming to conclusion on this very important
question.
For example, will take the Eicksbnr@ anc
Shreveport railroad The State Of LoniSian'
, has, in my judgement, wisely lent its aid t.
that great work Of internal Improvement Tha
road, if it should never bring n dollar into thu
State Treasury by profit derived from the road
ITSELF yet it will bring thousands OF dollars in