The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-05-02
CLINTON AND BATON ROUGE RAILROAD


contemplated with the Baton Rouge and New Or
leans Railroad chartered at the last session of the
Legislature. You will excuse Inc for here introduce
ing the opinions of the Hon. James Robb, of New
Orleans in communication 10 his Excclency, Coy,
Robert G. Wicldinc, under date Of February 1T
1856 on the gullioet Of nncrnal improvements gem
orally
"lha progress made In the construction of public
works IN the States east Of the Ohio and Misslssipp
rivers with the benefits which every days experience
proves will be conferred on Louisiana by their early
completion renders the subject now more than ever
the one of chief importance in our public policy; If
we do not shrinl, from vigorous inquiry into the
cause OF oar own inactivity amidst the general pro.
gross Of hr nation nor from just contemplation Of
our necessities, We have gained half The victory
We need reputation not only for enterprise but for
prudent foresight practically displayed to give us
solid claims to the respect. confidence aud co-opera
ton of those whose alliance 1t Is our interest to
calculate. " IL much the habit Of every day life TO
endanyor TO bc satisfied with things Us we ind them
aud propositions TO perform any thing new and I'M
tried are entertained with doubt and regarded with
suspicion {; the discoveries that have proved most
useful ~ society when first made known, have not
in general secured their authors against neglect po'
erty. envy. and persecution. and as conception that
possess solid merit are generally distinguished BY
their simplicity they seldom enlist eager attention
Whatever can br made SO plain as to reach the com
mon understanding lacks the charm OF novelty
1
undertaken and feel that az cannot invest my
subject with novelty il may fail % interest thc pub
lie as much as H. Importance deserves nome col
pretend TO deny That landed property whether rural
or urban would pwpCually enjoy tho benefit result
Ting from the construction " Railroads, and Canals
The considerations that prevailed IN FAVOR oi ifoit
TO taSaton on real estate to construct public work.
were numerous. The policy had already been ~
successful operation in other states and Giles. and
it. legality had received HE sanction Of the highest
| Conrta Of Appeal"
The above are the opinions Of one Of the most dis-
tinguIshcd lnancieIs on the subject.
Now for The connection n our own road with Dat
on Rouge. The most practicable route Is that which
from its wealth and population would give the road
the largest amount of business OH lis completion
With this ycw Of he subject, | should commence at
II point near where the present road crosses White
Bayou, and by line leading nearly due south and
eighteen miles long Il connection may be made with
Baton Rouge. The FIRST Xix miles Of this route passes
through 81. Johns Plains, where the clearing and
grading would be merely nominal, rs there no tint
Der, and the surface is unusually level leaving thc
romaing twelve miles on which any heavy work
would bc;roqurcd, and that only in clearing the tim
Der from the track. rs the whole route on 10 Eaton
Rouge is unusually level, and with but one small
stream TO bridge. That the road can he snhatan-
Than 900 dollars is demonstrate. With the sX
miles through the Plains We already have the clear
ing and grading Of tie first q miles from Clinton
with but the remaining L miles to complete the
connection, the cost Of constructing which would be
10000 dollars per mile 10000 dollars leaving a
balance Of 100000 dollars for the reconstruction
and equipment OF the remaining q miles or l2,395
dollars per mile That contractors can be found
| a., tl,a
basis Of the above computation and for less amount
requires only proper organization of the company
and to be advertised for.
Now for the business Of the road, on It's compile
ton. The present road carries oil annually from Is
TO % 900 bales of cotton there are hauled on teams
Port Hudson 5000 bales the line from the
plains to Baton Rouge 5000 bales would be near
estimate, making in all say $1,000 lalcs, Back
freisl.J on Railroads arc generally double the cot
ton, 100000. Passengers, say, 5000 dollars making
an amount of 100000 dollars, not computing a con-
siderable amount which would be derived from NAL
contracts thai given to steam boats that are
often two and three days in making ditlncc that
would then be accomplished in as many hours. From
your knowledge of the present business Of the c1ia
ing road you will on comparison readily see tAat
The above estimates are something under rather than
hpoNt 'llF VHNtl ltttNH u ~ ol'V lIhH ~ NIS tH
tation Of rreights Oh the e@sting road. The parish
of East Baton Rouge has recently indicated her
course Of enlightened progress by the vote Of II large
majority Of her land holders Of the sum Of 100000
dollars in aid Of her own connection with New Or
leans And on the second day Of Nay the town Of
Baton Rouge will vote for the appropriation Of a
similar sum towards The same enterprise. VIII East
Fcliciana remain still inactive amidst the general
progress Of the nation will she like her sister par
ish put her shoulder to the wheel and build her
branch and save 10 her planters and merchants in
middle and east the sum Of Is 600 dollars annually
by reducing frcights from 81 rs cts per bale cot
ton TO s | 90, which would be the rate at which it
could be transported in the completion Of the con
ncction with New Orleans, a distance only Of l24
miles.
The WALTZ DEsCRBED.--A Western editor Who's
curiosity led him TO Washington to witness the III
stalaton of a new President, attended the naugli-
ration ball. That his primrose modcsty received Il
severe shock is plainly manifested by the following
amusing and very graphic description of the modern
1I.. II,