Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1857-04-11
Houma Railroad.


M. Avprssos-Deav Sir In the las, number
of the Ceres read an able and strong iustra-
ton of the advantages of branch railroad to
Houma, and as the matter is open to discussion ="
and some perplexty seems to exist n to the modus
operandi of construction, you will have the kind
ness to publish the following remarks:
Ii seems 10 me there can hardly be any serious
difference of opinion regarding the location of the
road, as the advantages Of route following Bayou
Black have been clearly and automatically shown
by Mr.. &C. A road could be constructed along
the Terrebonne following the Bayou and public
road. or on the ridge next 10 the swamp. BY the
first route the turns and crooks of the Bayou
would considerably increase the length Of the road
and the difficulty Of construction as well as the
danger Of collisions with road vehicles, 4 conse-
quence which would naturally ensue on meeting
the terrible iron horse at full speed when coming
round short angle unexpectedly. Besides the
space between the Bayou and the fences ID insult
fcent at present, and to increase Il. would be to
encroach on the most valuable cultivated lands,
making the Company liable for heavy damages,
etc. In order to locate on the back route We must
not only overcome the objections Of small farmers
but the important question arises, how shall the
branch be connected with the main track? Mrs
Tanner certainly would not suffer her plantation
to be cut up by another railroad. as the Opelousas
road now runs directly through the most valuable
part Of her cultivated fields, while, have it from
good authority, she would have no objection if the
road came by Bayou Black and joined the main
track back Of her field, that the last strip of
high land #s
As to carrying out the enterprise, all questions
at issue must properly be decided by the stockhol-
ders vet some suggestions may not be out Of
place at the present time. Your correspondent
thinks the estimate of the income which recently
appeared in the Ceres was considerably below the
mark, and that in FIVE years it would be doubled !;
but yet he proposes to give the road to the Ope-
Iousas Company, to remain forever their property.
Why sir, if the Branch will pay, (as everybody
mus, admit,) Sx or eight per cent over all ex-
peDSes, pray Wnat necessity nave In0 people Oh
Terrebonne to get rid of such profitable property,
only to assist the Opelousas Company in the ex-
tension of the main trunk We should certainly
exhibit good share of public spirit and disinter-
ested liberality tow ards the country at large by
such course, but not so much for the interest of
the parish of Te.rebonne or the town Of Houma-
If the road will pay more Than the expenses Of
keeping It in running order, would it not Be bet
ter policy to have officers and employees of our
own, who would reside with us and thereby help
to improve the town, and through it the country,
than that the same or larger amount should bs
paid to men who reside elsewhere, and would car
~ the earnings Of the road away from the parish
There is no doubt but in few yean the Ope-
LOUISA. road will pay high dividend; but every
one knows that Terrebonne, in her present infan-
tile condition. requires every dollar that can be
kept in the parish to be applied in developing its
resources Very Respectfully,
v. SuLAKowskr, c. E.