The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-05-12

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G'mHf and snip HaInm4 Railway.
The benefits which would result to the
whole State by the construction Of i
Railroad which establishing direct COM
between the interior and a
convenient point on the Gulf shore, are
so apparent that it has long been favor
tie policy of the whole people without re-
spect to geographical considerations
The building up of seaport to which
would flow the wealth and commerce OF
the State that are enriching others to the
injury Of her own people, is justly re-
garded as a measure of paramount I'M
portSnce. With the restoration OF civil
government the scheme has been revived,
and several plans have been suggested for
consummatingi it. Among others, to which
our attention has been called, is House
bill, No. So, Incorporating the ship
Island Railroad and Navigation Com
pany." This plan contemplates the con-
struction of a main trunk from some
point in the county of Harrison, conve-
nient to the capacious harbor of Ship Is
land, to Canton, with branch roads to
jackson connecting with the New Or
cleans, jackson and Great Northern
Railroad, and the Vicksburg and Meri-
''dian Railroad, at that place; also
'branch Railroad commencing at, or
''near, Ship Island, to connect at Meri-
"dian, in Lauderdale county, In this
estate, with such Railroads as may ter
animate or pass through that place; also,
"a branch Railroad commencing at or
''near said Ship Island, to connect with
"the Mississippi River, at or near Natchez,
''or Vicksburg, or both, go as to connect
with Railroads by means of boats,
"bridges, or other means, that may pass
'from Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas,
Gin the direction of either or both of
''tkese places; also, an extension of said
Railroad from Canton or jackson, to Deer
Greek, in Issaquena county, thence up
HdIu OTetk W HtdT It's NOIIuSIH SOuASO,
"thence to Memphis, in Tennessee, or to
any point or points on the Mississippi
"River, below Memphis, connecting, as
at Natchez and Vicksburg, with Railroads
from Louisiana and Arkansas also, one
''or more branch Railroads to connect
with Railroads from Tennessee and
Alabama, at Corinth, Aberdeen, Co
'lumbus, or other points in this State
1t is readily seen that this system of
Railroads if constructed would speedily
build up a great commercial port within
the limits of the State, the desideratum
of all her public spirited people. To
construct the Road, the bill provides for
the appropriation of the public lands
within the counties through which it
would pass, amounting to from five to
six millions of acres. Notwithstanding
the healthfulness of the region which
would be penetrated by the main trunk,
it is comparatively sparsely settled in
consequence of its inconvenience to mar
kets. 1t abounds in valuable timber;
and when that material is disposed of, it
could be converted into one of the best
stock and fruit countries in the world
When opened up to market, it would
speedily become populated, and its re-
sources once developed, it would contrib
ute its share to the wealth and resources
of the State at large. In their present
condition, the lands are lying idle and
proftless, and will probably remain so
for generations, unless appropriated to the
achievement of some such enterprise as
the one under consideration. A measure
has been introduced in the Senate to en-
rploy the labor of Penitentiary convicts to
the construction of the Road. 1t seems
that if the two schemes could be blended,
the chances of the success of the mea-
sure would be greatly improved.