Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-03-22
Mem phis and the selma, Marion
and Memphis Railroad.

nemDnIA anu tHt Helhnas
and Memphis Railroad.
From the Greensboro (Ala.) Beacon.l
a Two years ago General Forrest en-.
gaged in the important enterprise OF
constructing the Selma, Marion and
Memphis railroad. Though the great
benefits that Memphis would certainly
derive by its completion must be obvious
to all who are conversant with the effects
produced by railroads, especially on
great commercial points at which they
terminate, Memphis, the place above all
others to be benefited by this road, has
as yet done very little to secure its con-
struction.
Memphis ought to supply North and
East Mississippi, West and Central Ala
bama, with the Western produce those
sections have to buy, and secure in turn
much of the cotton raised in those sec
tions. And with the Selma, Marion and
Memphis railroad completed, Memphis
might reasonably calculate on those re
suits. The accession to her trade which
that road would certainly secure to her
should stimulate her capitalists and
business men to cooperate literally and
earnestly in its construction.
The apathy and apparent indifference
to the success of that great work, which
Memphis has manifested, has been
strange, considering the character that
city enjoys for enterprise and public
spirit
There may be reasons for her course,
of which we have no knowledge; but
with the lights before us" it seems to
us that she would consult her best inte-
rest by aiding the work to the full extent
of her ability.
By failing to do her duty in the prem
ises, Memphis may lose the road alto
gether. A project has been set on foot
in Mississippi, as we noticed some weeks
ago, for diverting its course, so as to
make Helena, Arkansas, its western ter
minus.
That would certainly prove most dam
aging to Memphis, and the capitalists
and business men of that city should
spare neither money nor labor to avert
such a result.
A proposition has been submitted to
the voters of Shelby county, Tenn, (the
county in which Memphis is sitnated) to
take stock in the Selma, Marion and
Memphis road to the amount of $500, 900.
The success of that project would, in
all probability, prevent the proposed di-
version, and secure the road TO Mem
phis.
1t would therefore seem the part of
wisdom for Memphis to bring all her
weight and influence to bear to carry
that subscription.
General Forrest has had obstacles to
encounter and difficulties to contend
against, in the prosecution of this great
work, that very few men could have over
come. But for his indomitable energy
and untiring perseverance,, the road
would probably never have reached
Greensboro. And, with all his admins
trative ability, considerable time must
elapse before he can carry it through to
Memphis, unless he can get from that
city, and the county in which it is sitn
ated, large subscriptions.
Shelby county should not hesitate, it
seems 70 us, TO make the proposed sub
scription Of S500,0O0
There is a bond of political sympathy
between Memphis, Mississippi and Ala
bama, which will secure to her a large
trade from those two States whenever
the requisite railroad facilities are furn-
ished.