The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1871-12-16
A Railroad to Shreveport.
from the New Orleans Picayune.

nv
We have already alluded to the report
Of the special committee, appointed by the
Chamber of Commerce, to inquire into the
condition of the corporations designed to
unite our city with Shreveport by railroad,
and, to report such a plan as would, if
| possible, bring about the immediate united
action of our citizens in the matter.
The committee, composed of Messrs. L.
II. Gardner, chairman, and Albert Baldwin,
E. A. Tyler and L. Godchaux, finding that
no State aid could be invoked, examined
into the prospects of action by the COM
panics that are chartered to build a rail-
road to Shreveport.
Tn February, 1870, the New Orleans,
Mobile and Texas Railroad Company were
| authorized by the Legislature to build a
branch road from Vermilionville to Shreve-
port. The State agreed to indorse the
company's second mortgage bonds, to aid
the construction Of the branch.
In April, 1871, the State cancelled this
agreement, and subscribed instead 81, 500,-
600 to the stock Of the branch road. The
bonds of the State for this amount have
been issued to the company. This was
done on the company reporting officially
that they had commenced work on the
branch road by a given period, according
to law. This work was entirely nominal,
| and ceased as soon as begun.
The committee state that the affairs of
the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas Rail
road Company have been in such confusion
that it was impossible for the committee to
"iearn the cause Of The cessation Of work
on the general line of this road, or the
prospects for the resumption thereof, or the
completion Of the enterprises contemplated
in their charter" 1t is now started that
the company has obtained a large subscrip
ton to its stock; that Mr.. Raynor has re-
signed the presidency, and that Mr.. j. A.
Griswold is acting as President.
The New Orleans, Baton Rouge and
Vicksburg Railroad Company, known as
the" Backbone Road"-was chartered in
1869, and received State aid, by the in
dorsement of its second mortgage bonds, 10
The extent of $4,000 per mile. In addi-
ton, under legislative authority, not less
than $1,000, 600, was subscribed to this
road by towns and parishes interested.
Under the act of Congress, at its last ses-
sion, this road is recognized as a branch of
the Southern Pacific Railroad, and is there
by entitled to all the Federal aid granted
by that act. The public land grant is es.
tinated at 6400 acres per mile. State
legislation will be required to enable the
company to use this congressional assis-
lance.
The ownership and control of this road
are found to be vested in Mr.. Willis Gay
lord, of. New York, who, it is ascertained,
recently offered the charter and it's fran
chises for sale at a fixed price, and evident
ly holds them merely for speculation. The
committee express lack of confidence in
Mr.. Gaylord. This community will agree
with them.
The committee then sought Mr.. Chas.
Morgan's views on the subject. His re-
preventative here questioned Mr.. Morgan's
willingness to invest in building a railroad
to Red River just now, or the propriety of
such an investment. The franchises and
benefits enjoyed by The two corporations
named, shut out competition.
Mr.. Morgan, being addressed direct,
made a proposition; but the committee
think that, whilst this offer is made in
good filth, it would be folly, in our present
financial condition, to attempt to- organize
a company to build a railroad from Conr-
tableau to S~hreveport-an enterprise that
would cost over S., 200, 900.
Judge Boyce has just closed a thorough
canvass of the parishes west of the Missis-
sippi for aid to complete the Morgan road
from 0pelousas to Alexandra, and has
failed. The people were unable TO raise
tile means. 1 .]zss ~
It is well understood that Mr.. Morgan
intends, by degrees, and as rapidly as his
interests may dictate, to build his road to
Opelousas.
The committee, we'll aware of the urgent
need of early railroad connection with
Shreveport, suggest that if the New Or
leans, Mobile and Texas Railroad Company
be seriously disposed to build their branch
road from Eermilionville to Shreveport,
that they might consent to an arrangement
whereby. in connection with Mr.. Morgan,
this gap between Courtableau and YER
million might be covered.
Justly indignant at the condition of
affairs, resulting from the mal-administra-
ton of the two chartered companies above
named, the committee recommended the
passage of the following resolutions:
Resozped, That the chair Immediately
appoint a large and special committee,
whose duty it shall be to take steps,
through the courts. or by legislative action,
to work the forfeiture Of the chartered
privileges Of the corporations named in
this report, or to secure the proper guaran
tees to the city or State for the immediate
prosecution and rapid completion of the
work upon their respective roads.
Resolred, That the cammittee thus ap.
pointed be instructed to report progress
at the ext regular meeting Of the
Chamber.
These resolutions were unanimously
adopted and the Chamber, impressed with
the value of the report, rendered its thanks
to the committee. They are entitled, also,