Pointe Coupee Democrat. [volume] (False River [i.e. New Roads], Parish of Pointe Coupee [La.]) 1858-1862, 1858-08-21
From the Sugar Planter
The Baton Rouge, Crosse Tete & Opelou.
sas RailrOad---Its Extensions.

1 o0o E4SdkAA AVdN>""4tS 1ALCAS1VASs
In our last issue, we gave a detailed
statement of the affairs of Our Railroad
"a report which we think will favora
|.bly.compare with the receipts and ex
pendlturcs of any Road in the United
States. We propose, now showing in
what manner we will continue the Road,
and Its probable cost to the Atchafalaya,
say distance of twenty miles from the
Crosse Tete terminus.
When it was determined upon by the
stockholders of the Crosse Tete Plank
Road to change the same to an Iron
Road, a proposition was made bv one
of the Directors to purchase q number
of negroes instead of giving it out to
contractors, under the old system. The
proposition was combatted with much
energy, as being too visionary or chi.
merical for that body to entertain-the
contract system relieved them of all
trouble-the negroes would be subject
to all the ills that flesh is heir to, and
they might be carried off at any mo-
ment by an epidemic, or they might run
away, and many other objections of a
similar nature. But the advocates of
negro labor carried the day, by small
majority only, and thirty-fve were i'm
mediately purchased and put to work.
Hardly had they entered upon their du-
ties before the most violent opponents
OF the measure acknowledged that they
were far superior and more satisfactory
than the white labor usually employed
on such works. These thirty-fve hands.
completed the Road in eighteen months,
and besides erecting all the sheds, ne
gro cabins, etc. Two died during the
time-one from sun stroke and the other
of dropsy of the heart. The eothers have
advanced enough in value to fully COM
pensate for the loss of the two.
Under the supervision of white over
Seers-men having an interest in the
Road-work progresses much faster,
md at the same time more attention is
paid to durability and economy The
legroes work from dawn to dark, daily,
Sundays of course excepted, without
unless in cases of sick
less, the year throughout, and thus the
abor can be relied upon. But with the
ontract system the case is entirely diff:
erent. White men will only work
Vhen they feel like it, and nine times
ut of ten, the contractor is entirely at
heir mercy. Tedious and vexatious
elays often occur from their whimsical =
lies, and at times too when the utmost +
aste is required. All are aware how s
nnoying these things are, to both the +
ontractor and Company; if men have to =
e coaxed and wheedled into working, If
le contractor grows Indifferent and 4
areless, and so long as it is patched UP a
} bear inspection and receive the pay D
? of course has nothing else to care a
#. This has been too often the case, Y
J some Railroad Companies have found s.
1T to their sorrow. There are many A
her points to show the preference of ~
ave labor, in Railroad building, but we e
I'VE advanced enough for our purpose. Ia
ave labor built the Crosse Rete Road, a,
I'd if we are successful in procuring
descriptions to extend it to the At
lafalaya, slave labor will be employed = =
~ :
As Mr., Ford has not completed his n
rvey, and we cannot hear from him ;. y.
! some days yet we cannot give the e,
act point where It will touch the At a
afalaya, but he is directed to locate - =,
e terminus at about the mouth of the es
you Rouge. The distance is twenty af
G miles from Crosse Tete, and we ou
We every assurance that the road can 0'
built at an expense considerably less,
r mile, than the cost of the first sec re-
II from the Mississippi to the Crosse el'
te. The country beyond presents VI
q obstacles. it being nearly all table