Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-12-16
THE DANGERS TO MEMPHIS FROM
LATERAL RAIBROADS-WAAE WE
SHOULD DO.


THE DANGERS TO MEMPHIS FROM
LATERAL RAILROADS-WHAT WE
SHOULD DO.
1t is well for us to comprehend
schemes of other cities and communities
which may affect the interests Of Mem
phis. We have frequently alluded to the
purpose of st. Louis to mOnOpolize the
tradeof Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas,
which should be attracted to Memphis.
Two or three railroads should run west
of Memphis to control the wealth OF
States, which will increase every year.
The Kansas City, the Shreveport and
Fort Smith roads are of infinite import
ance. The first task that Memphis
should achieve win be surely consum-
mated by Messrs. Greenlaw, Brinkley
and their associates. What kind Ofrail-
roads will answer best for the Mississippi
river bottom, we will not now undertake
to discuss. That will be a matter fol
civil engineers or practical railroad men
To determine. OF one fact We are salts
fed, that is; the cheaper the railroads
we build, which will do all the business
Of the country, the better it will be, not
only for the interests Of the city
and country, but for the railroad
builders and stockholders.
st. Louis is moving down, by her rail-
roads, into Georgia, Alabama and Mis-
sissippi. The St. Louis and Cairo Mar
row-gauge road, which will he completed
during this winter, will be extended
through the northern part Of West Ten
nessee and through Middle Tennessee
into North Alabama and Georgia. An
other arm of this road is to be extended
from Paris, in this State, through Hunt
.ingdon and Lexington, Tennessee, in
the direction of Tuscaloosa and Selma
Alabama. Not only will this be done
but the road from Ripley to Middleton
will be extended through Bolivar &c
Cairo, and from Ripley to the Gulf al
Ship Island. These are the projected
roads which will seriously affect the
interests of Memphis unless something
be done to counterfeit their injurious in
iuences. Let us not deceive ourselves
with the expectation that they viii moi
be built. So thought many when the
Mobile and Ohio and the Missis-
sippi Central We're first project
ed. We must remember that this
is an age Of progress, whether
we partake of its spirit or not. AL
these roads viii be built. We cannot
prevent it, if we would, and should
not if we could. We must move with
others and not attempt to prevent them
from going forward. These railroads, il
we act promptly, may be made to con,
tribute to the prosperity Of Memphis
We should extend the road from Cairo
toward Bolivar to Memphis by q
branch read leaving the main line IL
HAYWOOD county. This would give US
direct communication with Cairo and
st. Louis by a cheap line Of railway, and
lessen freight charges between the two
cities twenty-five per cent We should
assist the Memphis and Knoxville COM
pany in building their road speedily &c
the Tennessee river, thence through
Middle Tennessee. In this way we
would get control Of that trade, and
when once secured we could hold il
against st. Louis or any other city. A
few thousand judiciously invested to-
day would save US millions in the
future. We th-ow out these suggestions
to the business men and prOperty-hOid'
ers Of Memphis for their consideration
hoping that they may resultin practical