The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-06-11
A Railroad to Opeiousas.

ktE vi SE' AAS - - EEt
are building, or are about to build, . rat-
road uniting New Orleans, Baton Rouge
Alexandria and Shreveport. We see IN a
late number of the Alexandria Democrat,
an advertisement from this company, for
"cypress ties in lots Of not less than ten
thousand, delivered along the line of the
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Alexandria and
Shreveport Railroad, between the Atchafa:
lava and Bowle's Bridge. over ootile Ba-
you.n This shows that the company are in
earnest. and we believe that they have Al
ready commenced work within the limits
mentioned insthe advertisement
This railroad is intended to cross the
north. western part Of this Parish, a dis
lance of about thirty miles, crossing the
atchafalaya river near Morgan's ferry. 'he
nearest point to, Opelousas will be fifteen
or twenty miles. The object of General
Corse's visit to- opelousas, was to- make
ARRANGEMENTS for the construction OF a
branch road from this point TO 0pelousas.
He proposes, for his company to build
this branch, if the Parish will give them
a bonus of $4,000, payable in twenty
years, bearing eight per cent per anaum
interest from date, payable semi annually.
The bonds for $4,000 are not to be de-
Evered until the road is completed and In
running order. The first installment of in
terest is not to be paid until the road has
been in operation n year.
The question is simply this: We can have
a railroad from Opelousas to New Orleans,
BY this route, by paying $4,000 for it.
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars in
twenty years, is at the rate of seventy-five
hundred dollars a year. An ordinary cot
ton crop in this Parish is fifteen thousand
bales. A yearly tax, therefore, of fifty
cents per bale would pay for the railroad
This, however, strictly speaking, wouldsb be
no tar for the reduction. of freight on cot
ton would amount to at least fifty cents PEI
bale. There would also be a great reduc
ton of freight ON sugar, beeves, and every
thing else sent from the Parish We hardly
think it exaggeration to say. that the agsgre
gate reduction Of freight, in twenty years
would amount to twice the one hundred ant
fity thousand dollars. Charges for freight
between Opelousas and New Orleans arr
now enerneus For example, a thousand
feet of dressed lumber ~(ceiling} can b.
bought IN New Orleans for $25 while tn
freight to Washington is SO, and hauling
to this place. Sc, making $l4 charges on $2'
worth Of lumber, besides drayage.
The Parish, therefore, instead Of beinl
taxed in this matter, would really be re
lievedsof a heavy burden. Reconsider thi
a sufficient inducement to make the con
tribution, without discussing thejncrease'
amount of property and.its increased value
the influx Of immigrants bringing propert..
with them, ard the superior advantages q
transportation in every respect, that woul
result from a railroad running to the cente
of our Parish. Why, the taxes derive
from the Immigrants alone, brought her
BY the railroad, would pay this bonus i
twenty years.
IF the road is not built, we will have ne
thing to pay but it is decidedly to our &C
vantage to have one to pay for. It is prof.
able that this question will soon be brougf
before the voters of the Parish, in the pre-
per shape and We hope they will not nee
lect the opportunity Of securing a railroad
We are informed that a law Of the Sta,
makes it the duty Of Police Juries to sui
init questions of this kind, IN the shape
On ordinance, to . vote Of the people. II
people, therefore, have this matter in the
own hands. They will sal, BY their vote
whether they want q railroad or not.
they want one, it win cost them nothing
for it IS evident to every thinking man thu
che money to be expended would more tina
be realized from the benefits of the railroa'
: before the expiration Of twenty years.
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