The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1868-03-20
OF Lns Sl0Zcn-i
The ELK River Railroad.

The Elk River Railroad.
All must agree as to the possibility and
disturbances of railroad from Fayetteville
down Elk River to some pointon the Nash
vile and Decatur road. The only ques-
tions are can it be built and how
That tits practicable cannot be doubted.
Past experience proves that D,oney can
build road anywhere on earth, and if no
more serious obstacles than deep valleys
and rocky mountains obstructed the route,
money enough would soon build a road to
the moon. How much easier aud sooner
may We build road along the shore of
Elk river? The cnTy question then is from
whence or how can the means be obtained?
In reply TO this. let it he observed that
portion Of the means could be procured
from the State Our State has literally en-
courageG and doubtless will continue to en-
courage internal improvements by becom-
ing large stockholder in nearly all such
public works.
But suppose State aid cannot be obtain
ed, what then For one, the writer be-
lieves that without such aid, the people
along Tie proposed road are able of them
selves to build it. But how Are not
the people impoverished and without mon
ey Yes. that is true. out they are not
poor. There is other substantial wealth
besides gold and greenbacks. And with
the exception Of these, it would be difficult
| to ind people more wealthy than the peo-
pie living along this road. No people ever
possessed richer or more productive soil.
The banks of the Elk river, like those of
the Nile, are inexhaustible mines of wealth
in the exuberance and variety of its produe-
tons. While the river itself is perpetu-
al source of immense power and wealth for
propelling machines and factories of all
kinds throughout its whole course No
country, no people, with such capital Of
water power and agricultural wealth, can
be deemed a poor country or poor peo-
ple-they are rich
| But how can this wealth be made avail
able for the building ola railroad In re-
/ ply we can only mention what has been
| done in similar cases. Take for example
the Illinois Central Railroad. A railroad
was wanted in the wild prairies Of new
and anpeopled State The Federal Gov
eminent marked of certain sections Of its
public lands to be given for the construo-
ton of the desired road. company soon
accepted the proposal of the Government
and the road was built And although the
government gave away millions of acres of
land for this work, yet its wealth and eve
ry material interest of the nation were i'm
menseIy enhanced by lhis scheme.
What has been done in this and many
other similar Instances. may be done ag,an
on much smaller scale and by private
cilizens.
10 Lincoln aud Giles counties there are
immense tracts of rich, but surplus and
non producing lands, all comparatively
worthless, for lack Of railroad. What
land holder would be unwilling to part
/ with a few OF these surplus aud non-pro-
Quoting acres to build road. and thus en-
nance the value of the remainder fifty or a
hundred per cent. above the aggregate val
ne of his original tract?
In real estate-rich soil and great water
power-we have sufficient wealth to con-
struct the road in question. Who will set
on foot some scheme to make this wealth
availaJIeg Here is great work for our
shrewd, enterprising. and public spirited
men. Who will go to work
Nrv1s