Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1869-10-09
The E RIVER TRADE.

A long discussion between the Ne"
Orleans Times aud Picayane upon the
high rsses of freight and insurance. TO-
gether with the ruling out of certain
boats in the Red River trade, in which
some acrimony was exhibited on both
sides, has been terminated by certain
concessions on part of the Board Of
Underwriters. Notwithstanding the diff.
6culties which have ever attended the
navigation of that river, causing the
most exorbitant rates Of freight and in
surauce, it is strange that no attempt
has been made to push q railroad through
the valley of Red River. and thus obvi
ate the difficulties and annoyances SO
bitterly complained Of. Certainly the
merchants of New Orleans who claim the
trade Of that river as one of the most
lucrative that comes to their city, should
arouse themselves to retain it, and not
see it diverted from it's proper and natu-
raj channel to increase the wealth of
Western cities. St. Louis is working for
it, her merch ants g,d men of business
are fully aware Of its Importance, and
they succeed 10 securing it, it is
probable they will hold on with
all the power Of which they are capable.
They are bidding heavily for that trad-
and with a determination to win, if it
lie within the range of possibility ; aud
if failure be the result, patience, money
and perseverance, will not be to blame
These are facts that canuot be denied
The inbabitapte along the route of Red
River who use New Orleans for ship
ments and supplies. are as much interest
ed in the reduction of freights aud insur-
ance as the merchants Of that city. Yet
with all this fully known and severely
felt on both sides. no attempt has been
made to compel q change for the better.
Within their grasp and almost at their
command, is a railroad, built and in good
running order from the Mississippi river,
opposite Baton Rouge. to Livonia, a dis
lance Of thirty miles, aud graded from
that point to the Atchafalaya river, about
twelve miles more. On the other side of
the Atchafalaya, if our information be
strictly correct. the grading extends a
distance Of thirty miles 10 q direct line
to Alexandria, to which point it was orig
inslly intended to build the road when
the Opel0usas connection failed. This
was all done before the var. Now to the
point : We have reason to believe that
the completed portion of the road, With
its rolling stock, charter, privileges, etc,
can be bought at a nominal price, and
the right Of way on the other side of the
Atchafalaya in the same manner. All
that is wanted is q little capital and some
energy to complete the road, and when
Alexandria is reached, it will pay still
better to extend it to Shreveport and into
Texas. The advantages to New Orleans
Of q railroad through the Red River
valley at the present time are too evident
be enumerated here. We called At
tention to this road repeatedly some two
years ago. and urged the city press to
take up the subject and discuss it for the
purpose of influencing their sluggish
to action ia the matter we
never saw it even referred to 10 a single
New Orleans paper. Perhaps we shall
be more successful this time.
COOP News, If CoRkEc1 From q gen