Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-04-22
TURNpTKES VS.. RAILROADS.


It is manifest to all our citizens that nothing can
add so much to the prosperity of GAINESVILLE well
constructed turnpikes penetrating into Todd and
Logan Counties, Kentucky and into Dickson, Rob
ertson and Stewart Couties Tennessee. In the di-
rections indicated vast amount of produce is now
raised, and by the construction of turnpikes into
these sections very large increase in the annual
products would ensue. All these productions will
90 TO such market as offers the best road for wagons
and the best opportunities for sale shipment. As
for sale or shipment our number of resident and
regular visiting dealers in produce, and our river
and railroad which open up the way to many excel
lent markets, furnish all the inducements now req
uisite Clearly then have only to make the
roads and we have all the advantages of the hand
ling and selling of the products of these rich sec
tons of country.
All Of our readers are ready to concede that these
statements are true; yet no movement is on foot to
secure this increased trade and traffic. We say
traffic, because by each wagon which deliveIs load
Of produce here, return load or part of load of
groceries or goods is carried back: and where
sells and gets his money there will he usually take
his family and deal for such articles they need.
True II is that we have large trade from these
sections now, but the question arises in startling
manner, not alone whether we can increase this
trade, but can pe retain il tn'mpdired? This is no
question stated idly as might appear on first sight
but is of deep importance. Let us look at the
question dispassionately.
The basis on which we can secure the trade we
now have, is that other things being equal, we can
furnish the best route and road for wagons and 9TH
or means of transportation Now what roads have
we2 What other roads are in progress for other
markets.
Asto what roads we have, 1t is fact that Il miles
Of Turnpike towards Russellville, and miles to-
wards Rort Royal, in all seventeen miles is in our
own county, is ell that we have of turnpikes. A
dirt graded road, dusty in Summer and miry in
Winter runs to about Paradise Hill; but this road
will stop some miles out of our town. These arc
our road inducements The Railroad is not men
toned in this estimate, for it leads equally to other
markets, and may be either advantage or disad-
vantage, far the present question is concerned
Truly a small effort to secure trade by means OF
roads.
On the other hand, what other roads tending
towards Construction
We have the Edgefeld and Kentucky road con-
veying by the Tennessee end, produce from Rob-
ertson, upper Montgomery and Logan to Nashville
by the Kentucky end, drawing off from Todd, Logan
and Christian to some market the Ohio--sAy
Henderson.
From Nashville runs the projected North Wes-
tern Road, penetrating Dickson and Stewart, tap
ping the Tennessee River, and developing and draw
ing of produce and traffic from those sections that
which we could easily secure. A Turnpike road
tapping Todd and drawing off a very large trade
from u.s. So il can be seen that q Gordon of enter
prises is being made around MS, isolatng us from
any new section and threatning serious diminu-
ton Of that territory which now ships and trades
here.
In view of these facts, does it not become us to
be active and vglant, and to compete with these
various other points by throwing out NJ Adamised
to embrace the district where the contest is be-
ing wagedi But who is to do il? Our merchants
and our grocers who get handsome profits from thi,
trade are now in such n critical position in this mat
ter that they must move. The time has come and
is everywhere when natural and artificial market:
coming in conhic) no place nor set Of traders cal
remain idle and supine but must "sheH oHt' ant
project and execute such enterprise, or be heavy
looscrs. Propcry-holders and all residents must &c
and act promptly the trade in its search for mar
kets by good roads, will find points, other thar
Clarksville for its abiding places. Warehouscmer
must assist in this time of need and that withou
stint
Call public meeting discuss all the ponts-setl
Tie down on Il line of poicy-settle what ought t,
be done first and all unite in securing that at once
and step by step in quick succession conquer trad,
and traffic which will be lasting il is profitable