Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-10
Il A e


things in relation to the importance of this
line. A finely finished and well equipped
line Of road now runs under one supervis-
ion and interest from New Orleans to Jack
son, on the highest possible line that ever
can be found--a distance of 40 miles. An
other first class road runs on the highest
possible line from Mobile, through Jackson
to near the mouth of the Ohio. The dis
lance from Mobile to Jackson is 1856 miles.
The intersection of these great roads
at jackson makes il a competing
point between them. The effect of this
competition is seen in keeping down
freights; so that freights from jackson to
Mobile and New Orleans are much lower
than to the same places from points far
south of Jackson, To instance a case, we
find on enquiry that the freight on a bale
of cotton from jackson to Mobile is three
dollars, but from Okolona, Miss, on the
same road, 125 miles nearer Mobile, the
freight is five dollars. This is referred to,
to show that Jackson is a point of healthy
competition which is comforting great bene-
fits on the business and agricultural inter-
ests of the country.
With this statement, we enter on brief
notice of the importance of supplying the
link between Huntingdon and Jackson.
First, as to the Importance to our business
transactions within our own State. Before
the war the merchants of Jackson had be-
come thoroughly impressed with the belief
that Nashville was destined to furnish them
a first class wholesale market, especially in
the dry goods line, and the farmers and
planters in West Tennessee were looking
to Middle Tennessee as the best opening for
supplies of live stock, farming utensils, etc,
for their farming and planting operations.
The Nashville and Northwestern Railroad
was expected to send branch to Jackson,
by which the adjoining counties would have
| the facilities for trade with Nashville and
Middle and East Tennessee. The calami
ties of the war have delayed this much de-
sired object, but it is hoped and believed
have not indefinitely postponed it.
Those who suppose the railroad connec-
ton between Jackson and Nashville by the
circ9itous route of Mckenzie and Hum
boldt can ever give either city the necessary
railroad facilities ARE greatly mistaken. The
distance from Nashville to Jackson by
Huntingdon direct would be at most 140
miles, and could be made several miles less.
The distance from Nashville to Jackson by
way of Mckenzie and Humboldt is 165
miles-25 miles more than by the more d.
rect route by Huntingdon. Twenty-Five
miles unnecessary cost of running in a dis
lance of 40 miles is too great to be tolera-
ted by the spirit of railroad progress.
But this twenty-five miles Of unnecessary
distance to be run, though very great, is not
the greatest trouble. TwO transfers within
short distances-the one at Mckenzie and
the other at Humboldt-are attended with
great expense and unavoidable delay. But
even this is not the greatest difficulty in the
way of shipments by this Ioute. The con-
nections necessary to be made at Mckenzie
and Humboldt are entirely under the con
troll of other roads that have rival interests
and who will always make these connec
tons Subservient to other interests of more
importance to themselves.
A gentleman of Madison county, while al
the late Fair at this place, arranged for the
purchase of some valuable stock, and pro
ceeded to negotiate for the shipment. He
found the charges on the Nashville ant
Northwestern Railroad very reasonable, but
the cost Of the transfers and freight or
the other roads, and especially from Hum
boldt to jackson, was found so enormous
that he was forced to abandon his purchase
And We are informed by gentlemen a
Jackson that they have several times de
sired to make similar purchases in Middle
Tennessee-sOmetimes of horses, some
times of cows, and sometimes of sheep
but in every instance the expense and dan
ger of transhipment and fear of injury by
delays at Mckenzie and Humboldt have
forced them to abandon the idea. And nC
prudent man will undertake shipments il
the existing condition of things.
Now turn from the Importance of filling
up the link from Huntington to jackson
viewed only with reference to our loca
trade, to its fan greater Importance as open
ing tt1O great channels Of commerce an
points east and north of them-the one t.
New Orleans and the other to Mobile. II
this view it swells to vastly increased i'm
portance; for as the increasing volume 0
!, trade and travel flows in from distance
, the local trade and travel will accumulate
: and increase in the same proportion ant
flow with it. Business and men move to
gether.
The link between Huntingdon and Jack
son, when completed, makes the distance
5 from Nashville to New Orleans, by rail, So
/ miles, and from Nashville to Mobile so
7 miles. From this the distance from Chat
= tanooga and other points can easily b
, stated. Arrangements can be promptl
; made to run through cars without change
! and it is believed no other lines can success
4 fully compete with them.
f In conclusion, we express the belief an,
7 hazard the conjecture that the opening G
/ this connection will lead to several impor
4 tant results:
l. In two years from the time of its com
r pletion it will add to the net income of tn
0 Nashville and Northwestern and Nashyill
: and Chattanooga roads an amount equal t
S the cost OF construction.
1 2. 1t will during the same period add t
the business of Nashville and Middle Ter
nessee fire times that amount.
b 3. 1t will insure the building of roa
S from Jackson to Memphis on an air line
{ and we shall see Nashville and Memphi
: forgetting their prejudices and rivalry of tn
1 past and moving along side by side like bina
ry stars in the armament of our glorious oil
g State.
8 No hone IN soc orr merchants and hus