The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-04-21
Can We Make a City2

We think we can Justly boast of as fine a body oil
business in Shreveport can be found in any
city, in the South of equal population. We think i
certain that Shreveport conducts larger
and profitable trade than any city, Of equal pop
ulation in the South What other city OF the same
size, buys 10000 bales of cotton this year? At q
moderate estimate (say 90 cents per pound) at 45o
pounds per bale, this cotton has yielded in round
bers $6,3000 900, Of which amount it would be safe to
say that at least 600 have been either spent in
trade in Shreveport invested in the purchase, and
improvement of Shreveport property. At least, TO-,
coo mere bales a been or will be shipped from this
Place before the season is ended. Surprising none OF
this purchased here the city has Jet received hand
some upon it, in storage and commissions. But
leaving out altogether this last calculation, what
other city in the South even in the North, handles
in six months an equal amount Of money, from one
single article OF commerce2 Now where goes all this
money and other profits Of trade? Theplethoric con-
dition of our stores shows that most Of it finds its way
into commerce, while the substantial buildings now
being erected attest another sensible disposition of it,
but and it is to this point wish to'call particular
attention, it is certain the whole of this enormous
sum is not accounted for yet We regret that candor
compels to acknowledge, that considerable proper
ton of it has been invested in vacant lots, for merely
speculative purposes. Now, while it is true of every
city, that it must pass through the ordeal of spccu-
ating mania, as this is to tie up capital, raise
false expectations and postpone commercial facilities
the sooner this mania is cured the better for the city
afflicted with it. Let every intelligent man reflect
how much better it would be, instead Of buying four
vacant lots and waiting on Providence to build rail
road to enhance the value of them, to purchase only
two and put the balance in the road to help along its
construction Aside from this it is fatal mistake at
the present ime when the future of the town depends
on the extension Of the railroad and the removal OF
the raft to invest money out of commerce, looking to
the completion of both of these works And byWhom
There to be reasonable chance that Con-
grcss will build road in Gen. Grants time than that
Providence itself will do it, If it advances mile,
must be done by the capital Of the company and the
capital Of the country-and if action is delayed be-
yond this year. no amount of concurrent activity on
the part of both company and country, enable us
to reach the junction before the Houston Central has
crossed our line With but year ahead Of u.s. the
Of our fatal Inactivity think what an
amount Of trade would be diverted the loss it would
occasion, and tho extreme difficulty of bringing
it back. Reflect too upon the progress of this road
thirty miles were built last year, and twenty miles
are promised this year. Are not these facts potent
enough to wake up business men, and property
holders to the necessity of prompt and liberal sup
port? Beyond Marshall we have about twenty miles
we informed already graded. Cannot this be fin
ished up this year? Is there money enough the
city and country for that purpose? In view Of the
early meeting Of the stockholders, earnestly urge
upon our citizens, to reflect we'll upon our situation,
their own interests and the future trade of our city,