The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1857-04-18
Tbe ftlitiana lemotrat.
TO THE PEOPLE OF EAST FELICIAN.i.


under the impression that said, in relation
to the Baton Rouge and New Orleans rail
road, that believed, majority of the voters
of my parish was in favor of the Railroad but
| would vote against it anyway. Though the
Reporter Of the House of Representatives and
some of its members may have understood me
to say so, | take this opportunity to state, that
did not say that | believed majority of my
constituents was in favor of the Railroad, but
on the contrary, | said there might be ma
jorlty against my course in opposing the prin-
ciple of the States building railroads for one
portion Of her citizens, at the expense Of an
other portion would oppose the system as
unpoitic and unjust, although there might not
be one vote found to sustain my course, in the
parish, would risk the consequences: as / be-
lievcd a majority Of the people would sustain
me, in opposition to the road, notwthstand-
ing | had been told repeatedly, was political
ly dead, if opposed the road; Yes was told
my political grave was dug for me, if I voted
against the road, I said / would chccrfully fill
my grave politically, rather than sanction by
my vote, any measure, though unjust and
oppressive. This is the substance and almost
word for word, what ! did say about the Bat
on Rouge and New Orleans railroad | did
not see for several days, after the vote on the
New Orleans and Baton Rouge railroad what
l made to say in the papers, consequently
omitted to correct the report, as thought the
remarks ] intended to make against the CIin-
ton and Baton Rouge railroad would set we
right bcfor the people of East Fclciana Since
| returned home, ] find some persons are dis
posed to take exceptions to my course, upon
ha trran bot / nI tIn lpno
saying in my speech, that | knew II majority
Of my constituents was in favor Gf it. As
these views are calculated to do me great in
justice; and as it will be several weeks before
my remarks made against the Clinton ana
Baton Rouge railroad will be published by the
Reporters ask the people of East Fcliciana,
to do me the kindness to read what did say
in opposition to both railroads, and why said
IL. Then if they find me wanting in looking
after their interest in Legislative capacity, |
shall humby submit to their decision. don't
appear before my constituents. to appoogisc
for my course as ! am conscious Of having
done my duty, to the best of my ability: if
have proved recrcant or rcmiss to their inter-
est they should put me down and treat me as
all unworthy servants should be treated. All
] ask is fair dealiug: no palliation or extcnna-
tion of my course in the Legislature As to
the Clinton and Baton Rouge railroad, spoke
in substance as follows
Mr.. Speaker: ] exceedingly regret that
have to differ with my worthy colleague, in
regard to the Clinton and Baton Rouge rail
road, q gentleman for whom | have the
greatest respect, and with whom have so Of
ten voted in matters involving principle
have on many occasions been placed under
circumstances, which were almost synonomous
with death, to discharge my duty, and although
under the present circumstances, | may be
numbered with the political slain, be it so, we
represent the same constituency, and ] must
say that don't think majority Of our constit-
uents wonld receive any benefit from this rail
road; nor do ! believe there is majority in
favor of building the road upon the principle
proposed The object of n railroad, sir: is
profit 1t is to bear off our surplus prodnc
tions, which consist of sugar, molasscs and cot
ton, to market Now Sir; if / show there is
certainly will not be Justly blamed for opposing
the measure. BY referring to the Auditors
report, we find that East Fcl,cana produces
24G4 hogSlieads Of sugar, 1857 barrels Of mo-
lasses, 1870 bales of cotton. Allowing the rail
road to carry the sugar at $2p per hd s 1929
to carry the molasscs at 81 per bb 1857
to carry the cotton at 81 per bale 1870
we have productions to the amount of S25,1
to be carried part of the way to market by
said road, and this is full high freight fare, for
the distance But we know that not more
than half Of the productions of the parish will
be transported by the railroad if that amount
We will allow half to be carried on the road,
say, Sl2,SI7
We will moreover allow for passcn-
gers contribution to the road, that
every taxpayer in the parish will Wis
it New Orleans by way of the road,
three times year at 50 per trip;
that is 8 times S94, the number of
taxpayers in the parish, we have the
sum Of S055
This is certainly liberal calcula-
ton, as half Of the taxpayers don't
visit New Orleans three times in many
years; but give this advantage to the
advocates of this road, and we have $40, ,932
We have made the most liberal allowance fol
transporting passengers and our surplus pro-
ductons part Of the way to market and we
only have S20,032 profit. We will now see
what the railroad can probably be made for;
o,, n n;r l;no from, HIintnu to Raton RonTp