Vicksburg weekly herald., 1870-05-07
Communicated.
WTHROUGH TO THE RIVER. "

Not wishing to be doubtful of
the motives which have prompted
many TO speak and write upon this
subject, will state few facts as l
understand them In connection
with the same, and then all can
Judge for themselves. Knowing
we'll that il Is easier 10 make asser-
tions than to prove them, we will
take il for granted that one knows
no more of the future than another
and that those that do not take ex-
pcrience as q teacher, are not
worthy of notice.
About thirty.five years ago the
taxes paid upon real estate in the
city OF Vicksburg were quite as
much as to-day, although about
Que half the business was done then
that there Is now. Why is this |!
Simply because the town has been
Oh the move and as property in
creased in value In one part, 1t de-
creased in the other. What was
one of the principal reasons that
caused this moving? Was it not
the change In the original survey Of
the Vicksburg and Meridian Rail-
road, the placing Of the depot in its
present location? That the pro.
perty in that part Of the town
has increased in value since that
time, and decreased TO very great
extent in the vicinity of old Main
street, which was at one time the
Broadway OF Vicksburg, no one
will deny. Why was this change
made? Simply because a few indi-
yiduals had a quantity of land in
which there was great spccula-
ton, and they carried their point
regardless of the effect il might
have upon the city, or the property
Of the masses, who, perhaps, were
not in quite as ailluent circum'
stances, many Of whom were com
pletcIy ruined by their brilliant
scheme. And now If some are to
have it as they desire, we will have
the same "play" recnacted with q
more disastrous result than before
The report has been made, and il
current throughout the interior o.
the State, that the citizens and mcr'
chants Of Eicksburg are opposed
to a river terminus. That the mer
chants so desire II, as ii gives then
extra commissions, and by delay ins
freight in this city, it forces many
to come to ViCksburg, ut which
time they will purchase goods ant
circulate their money. To am
reasoning mind the arguments arr
ridiculous, aud | know l an
right when say that thu
great majority of citizens and mer
chants are in favor OF giving tht
Railroad Company a "river lermi
nus" and in order TO accomplish
this, they are not only willing I,
grade the street or streets, but ar,
willing to give them the land oil
which to erect proper building
aud to pay all extra cost of layinI
the track. "Then why was the in
: junction served (many will ask
you are SO anxious for river ter
: minus?" Before answering thi
question, will remark that l hav
: no doubt that the Company com
, mepced the laying Of the track o.
l Mulberry street in as good faith a
| any men ever engaged in any en-
Q terprise. But before they hal
, gone less than two hundred yards
7 they suddenly conceived the idea Q
7 Its not being impractiCable but an
9 possible. They continued layin
0 the track however, without grad
!, Ing the street in q proper mannel
: laying the ties on q rough surfacI
= and on them placing q rail two an
!. one halfinches in depth, making th
4 street actually dangerous for dray
8 or hOrsemen even to travel upOi