Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-30
THE MEMPHIS AND LITTLE ROCh
RAILROAD.


vital importance to Memphis as the com
nletiop of the railroad to Little Rock IS q
duty from which the press Of this city has
no right to shrink, and if, in the discus
sion. the facts are brought to light that
the responsibility of the SLOW progress OF
the work rests upon Mr. Brinkley. we
cannot help it, nor shall we attempt to
shield him, highly as we esteem him Tor
his amiabiiity and honesty ct purpose.
For fourteen years this enterprise mas
dragged it's slow length along, swallow
inv up the many liberal subscriptions OF
corporatioas and private individuals, and
still crying, more morel holding out
little encouragement to those who are
asked to supply its Unsuitable demands
that the work will ever be completely
The citizens of Memphis and Arkansas
who have a right to criticise the manage
aeot of an enterprise for which they
have furnished the money thus far in
vested, uucomplainingly made due allow
ance for delay during the two or
three years Immediately following the
close of the war, appreciating the
embarrassed condition Of all pnb-
lie enterprises 10 the South, growing
ont of the prostration and ruin wrought
by the war; but when over four years
have elapsed since the reorganization OF
the company, when the promise was
made Of a speedy completion Of the rosd,
when hundreds of thousands OF dollars
have been expended eud no perceptible
progress made, they very naturally IN
auire the reason for the delay.
When, nearly two years ago. con-
tract was made with Mr.. Gaylord, OF
New York, to complete the road, we we're
assured Of his uudoubted responsibility,
and promised that 10 a very short time
the track should be laid upon the entire
length Of the road. But Mr.. Gaylord.
after having svindIsd Mr.. Brinkley out
of one hundred thousand dollars Of the
company's frat Mortgage bonds, q little
more than half of which he has recently
been compelled to disgorge, abandoned
the work, but in doing so left the COM
psny saddled with a set of contractors
who, if we may judge by the ability they
have displayed to do nothing since they
drove Mr.. Brinkley into awarding them
the contract on the lst Of February last,
by the threat that they would prevent any
other party from doing the work, an by
their influence with Governor Clayton
defeat any award of State aid to the road,
are worthy successors of this Gaylord,
into whose trap Mr.. Brinkley walked
with such unsuspecting credulitY.
But let the facts show what hope there
isfor the speedy completion Of the road.
The contract was let to Sawin & Siekles
on the LIST of February, by which they
agreed to complete the road, with the
exception Of White river bridge, by the
LIST Of October. They we're to be paid
eleven hundred thousand dollars for doing
ito be paid as the work progressed
They have been paid promptly, and often
in advance Of their estimates. Six
months Of the eight given in which to dc
the whole work have passed, and fou'
miles Of track have been laid down on q
portion of the road already graded when
they commenced. Thiriy-five miles re
main to be graded, large amount o.
bridges to be built, and foriy-two mileI
of track to lay; and two months Of the
contract time remain in which to do al
this Judging the future by the past
tiro years will not serve to do it We are
told BY those who would excuse the delay
that men will not stay on the road anC
yet, if We are rightly informed, conirse
tors Of vell-known responsibility, VIII
have been connected with nearly ever
railroad enterprise in the vicinity o
Memphis for the pas. fifteen years, hsv'
offered to furnish all the men required
and to do theiwork at reasonable prices
but have been refused.
Mr.. Brinkley must bear the weight o
the responsibility for this state Of things
aud knowing this, it is rot Strange thA
be should desire to get control Of the stool
Of the city 10 order to prevent its beinl
voted for board Of directors Who will in