The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-06-12
IkAEL ROAD PROSPECTS.

w L IN ti'se va N'NN go 49, ''HN -
the 18th inst, states cditorially that it la,
assurances perfectly reliable, that a rail
road will be running through the parish o
st. Landry on the route to CalcaSicu an'
thence to Houston, Texas, long before III
termination Of the contest between Mr.
Charles Morgan and the stock holders .
the unfinished portion Of the present roat
lcadin. from New Orleans t. Berwick
Bay. We would be much gratiGcl if tn,
Times had given to the public, in u nor,
definite shape, its information on this sub
j"ct. 1t doubtless alludesi to the Chatanoo
"a company which is now actively engaged
in building a road from New Orleans t,
Mobile, intending there to connect Will
their other lines running Northward.
This company is said to be.,possessvd o.
4 large capital, numbering among its lead
ing stock holders, ex-Gov. Morgan of New
York, and Senator Sprague Of Rhode Island
and we have the assurance that they have
the means, the energy and the purpose OF
accomplishing nothing less, than the ex.
tention of the proposed lipe through the
State of Texas and beyond to the Pacific
coast.
One paper we notice, gives what has al
ways in our opinion, been the true reason
why the old road has not long since been
finished from Berwicks Bay to Houston
the want of disposable capital. In New
Orleans, as in all the business centres of
the Gulf States, there is little more than
money enough to supply the wants OF
commerce, and consequently our people
could not as readily build up great works
like the one in question, as could the peo-
pie of the Northern states, where they
have the advantage Of an immense volumn
Of paper currency put in circulation by the
government, and the innumerable nation
al banks everywhere located. The wonder
has been, that Northern capitalists have
not before this, undertaken to complete
this great highway; the practicability of
the route, and the great profits of the en-
terprise, being demonstrated beyond all
question. The management of the old road
has been thought, up to this time, to oppose
an insurmountable obstacle to the employ
ment of Northern capital that its franchi.
SEES and privileges were in the hands of men
who were Indifferent to the further prose-
cution of the work, seeing that the intro
of large capital from other localities
have the effect of ousting the old
officers and placing others in c~ontrole of
the road. 80 ing ., r.-2
However this may be, a change has ia.
ken pla"e, and W. are satisfied it will be
the better, as we now have two chances
:or the early completion ofthe road to Tex
Is, when under the old management, we
had no we'll grounded hope Of any speedy
action in the work. 1t is not material now
% consider the causes Of their failure;
whether from want of money, capacity, or
they have failed to prosecute the
work, and we are not sorry that they hars
'een compelled to give place to others-we
are not where they come from-who have
he means and the enterprise to build a
We are in no condition to die.
ate in this matter, and though we should
refer this great highway to be built and
wned by our own people, yet, if for want
f means or other causes, it cannot be
one, then let the Chattanooga company,
lr. Morgan, or any body else that will I
uild'the road have it, and let them enjoy
II the. privileges and revenues which the
'yestment of their money: and their supe.
|or foresight entitle them to. {
ave are pleased to see that Mr.. Morgan {
ecognises the great Importance of connec. i
ing any road projected from New Orleans {.
} Texas with another road running routh. s
ard through the Red River valley and {
assing down through this section of coun- i
y. No projected route in the United |
tates can give a more sure promise of t
reat and permanent profits than this.
he Red River country, including North
ouisiana, Eastern Texas, Western Arkan- :
q and the Indian Territory with its vast :
'ealth of travel and freights, are cut off :
em Q market: by instructions to naviga- y
on in Red River for several months du- a
ng each year, and that in the heighth of a
re business season. 1t is no uncommon s
ing for merchants and shippers to- haul N
wagons their supplies Of goods from
rntnsport and Alexandria, to points as t,
Il, up as Shreveport, "a distance Of v
yeral hundred miles. Indeed, the loss e
d sincensshience annually sustained in d
ayel and efreigghts from the INSTRUCTIONS II
q dangers Of the Rcd River naEigation Y
ayyabe sstimated in millions. &wr@E,oa.
Butwe. cannot enlarge upon this theme, a,
inviting atence to sthespen OF the writer, II
n the eye Of the capitalist. We must u,
WsVer,s repeat Jour convietiop, that tie v:
uteissa grand . and wonhasif estab- p