Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-01-25
INTERAL IMPROVEMENTS
1 regret that we do not find mo

Oh internal improvements Ill til
, State. On this subject there can b
, no diversity of opinion. Before tin
war the policy of Southern State
seemed to be not to seek appropria
+ tiOns from the federal government
for internal improvements. Henc,
a comparatively small portion of tn,
money appropriated by Congress
fOrthis purpose was expended in tn,
South, while large appropriation,
went to the Northen States wher,
they were eagerly sought, and die
much to develop works of great ben
eft to the commerce of those States
Since the war, however, many of thu
Southern States have in this regard
reversed tlelrpolicy. To Louisiana
especially the national government
has extended aid with a liberal
hand. Large appropriations have
been made by Congress for the
Improvement of the mouth of the
Miss issippi river, of the Bay u
Teclle, the Atchafalaya, the Tangip.
ahoa. Ouachita, TchefIncta and
Red rivers. One half of the estima.
ted requisite appropriation for the
removal of the raft from the Red
river was passed during the last
session of Congress. All these
improvement, L am glad to say, are
i'll progress or about to be con-
meDccd. Congress also appropriate
ed a large amont of the public lands
10 aid in the building of a railroad
from New Orleans to Shreveport. 1t
is believe from present indications
that ut AN early day the work will
be Uttered upon and pushed TO a
satisfactory conclusion. Every
effort should lie made to secure the
completion of this most essential
work. The Legislature ofthe State
during The past four years has
largely Subsidized projected rail.
road from New Orleans westward to
the Sabine. the early completion
of this road aud OF the road to
Shreveport is essential to the pros
perity OF New Orleans aid the State
at large; 10 effort must be spared to
bring a bout this result. Legislative
action is likely to be asked in regard
to the New Orleans, Mobile and Tex
as railroad. Time, it is understood,
is required and will be asked for by
the company to enable it to fulfill
the conditions and stipulations it
entered into with the State. The
beuefits that the State al large, and
New Orleans especially, are % de
rive from SO important ;lu enterprise
are greatly plejudiced by the failure
OF the com any to push OH the work.
Good policy requires that every pro-
per facility asked by the company
should be extended; but in making
TO: Occasions the Legislature should
exact a guarantee amply sufficient
to indemnify the. State against ally
future f;li nie in the construction of
the road. Much contlove.sy exists
regarding the zeal financial status
OF this road, and to the end that
the precise condition of the company
in all respects may be ascertained,
suggest that the Legislature autho-
rize the appointment OF a committee |
d citizens ia whom the community |
nave confidence tO examine into the
'acts and TO make al early report.
COMMERCE WITH MEXICO.
The allowance OF a subsidy for a
inc OF steampships between New
)rleana and tue ports Of Mexico and
Spanish America rs a subject Of vast
TO the State. a bill has
passed the Senate of the United
States, and is now before the House,
O0king to that object. There is APP
growing disposition on
he part of general government 10
ecure closer commercial intercourse
With Mexico. Increase facilities of
commerce. by way OF New Orleans,
{ is clear, will go far to attain this
desirable result. L recommend that
lie General Assembly memorabilia
congress TO pass the bill now before
hem, or some other of like import.
THE LEvEES. . {
The State Of Louisiana has a
arger alluvial territory than any
'ther State bordering upon the Mis-
issippi, and hence has Il greater in
crest than any of them in an eff
lent levee system. 10 restrain the ..
waters OF this mighty stream within
Is proper channel is an almost her.
ulean task. 1t has long seen con ]
eded to be appropriately a nation
! work. During my labors in a &
ifferent department of the public t
ervice was in a position to ascer- |
ain the views of the national legis- |
AZURE on this important subject,
nd | found them to be in cOnson. e
nee with this opinion. The Lcgis- t
iture OF this State, however, by the Il
at fhp Tpypa Cn,npauy q