New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-22
WHAT CAN AND SHOULD BE DONE.

over the broad gauge, the directory VI
the Louisville division of the ONO ana
Mississippi railroad, which IS ffty-three
miles in length, determined TO aiter the
width of the track from SIX feet four 10
four feet eight inches. This looks hike
great undertaking, and so it was, but the
men who had the nerve to undertake the
lob also had the sense to carry 1t through.
The first stroke of work was commenced
at daylight last Sunday morning, and by
eleven o'clock, or in six hours, the job
was complete, and the road in splendid
running order Mr.. J. L. Griswold, the
Youngest railroad superintendent IN the
United States, according to the Courier
Journal, is to be credited with this unpre-
cedented success. He arranged every
thing in advance, and had his laborerS
and mechanics detailed at given intervals,
so that hundreds of men commenced their
labors instantaneously, having just so
much to do. Taken for all and all, 1t is
an effort that commands our utmost adj
miration, and makes us feel like forgiving
Kentucky for one-half of her shortcom-
ings. The example is worth millions OF
dollars. 1t is the triumph of concrete
strength and executive ability.
Just here, too, is the time to connect
this splendid specimen of what can be
done" with another work that should be
done" The Southern Pacific railroad is
inevitably to be built The lower Missis-
sippi is as certain to be connected with
the Pacific Ocean as New Orleans is to be
connected with the Sabine river. The
charter is already created, and the parties
are now engaged in making their arrange
ments. Whether the present corporators
will carry the work forward, or whether
another body Of men may have to perfect
the enterprise, are questions lmmaterial
to the community, which only knows and
cares that this magnificent enterprise
must be built. We are deeply interested
in the details, and these are of immense
importance.
1t is reported that the directors Of the
Southern Pacific railroad have determined
to adopt the narrow gauge from given
point in Texas to the Pacific. 1t is also
reported that the road from Denver, Col
orado, to Ell Paso, Mexico, and which
proposes to tap the Pacific road at the
latter point, is to be of the same gauge as
the Southern Pacific See how nicely the
North works to outgeneral us. Through
freight over the main road will be put in
cars at San Diego, San Francisco, Quay
mas, Tucson, and these cars, not being
able to run upon the broad gauge, will
defect toward Kansas and the West over
the narrow gauge road. While the track
west from Texas is narrow, and the track
from New Orleans to Texas is broad, as it
is now being constructed, We shall never
see through train in this city. Trans
fers of passengers and freight will have
to be made where the narrow gauge ends
and the wide begins. There is something
exciting and aggravating at this strategy
of the West to carry off our spoils. 1t
excites us to see such foresight and en-
ergy; it aggravates us to think that we
may lose the fight for lack of capacity to
contend with the railroad men of other
sections of the country.
What should be done to meet this
emergency? The Chattanooga Company
should at once adopt the narrow gauge.
The expense of remodelling its present
line would be met by the saving which
would result in its future construction.
The relative economy is thirty per cent
at the lowest calculation, and the outlay
necessary to reduce the gauge of the road
would be paid out of this saving. If,
then, the Southern Pacific railroad has
determined to reduce its gauge, the Chat
tanooga should follow suit, and now is
the time to do it before it ex-
tends it's present track any further.
We must not only put money and roads
against money and roads, but we must
put brains and wit against the same
qualities. If the Northwest pushes us,
push back. Keep up with the age. In
vent where present knowledge falls short.
''Eke out the lions skin with the fox's"
where the emergency is pressing. And
if we do not win we shall at least make a
drawn fight.