New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-09-03
RAILROAD TO TEXAS.


The Chamber of Commerce has at last
come to the conclusion that the time has
fully arrived when the work of locating
and constructing a railroad to and through
Central Texas from New Orleans can no
longer be deferred without serious detri-
ment to the business Of our CITY, Upon
the strength of this conclusion the Cham
Der at its last meeting resolved:
That the organization of strictly new
company, composed Of our best known and
most unexceptionable citizens, for the pros
ecution of this great and all important
public work is earnestly recommended.
And it is further resolved that the memb ers
of the chamber will encourage and support
such company in the performance OF such
work to the extent of their influence, ability
and available means.
This movement should have been made
some years ago. The REPUBLICAN has
long seen the necessity for and advocated
the construction of railroad to Texas.
1t was not particular who built the road,
although it has urged our own people
the business men and property holders-
to come forward and take an active part
in the enterprise. They not only have
failed to do this, but they have thrown Sc
rious distractions in the way of others
doing the work, until great damage has ac-
tually accrued to our business relations.
Other cities have taken advantage of the
apathy displayed here and built rail-
roads that are now carrying from
New Orleans the most Of the trade
that formerly came here from North
ern Texas and that portion of Louisiana
and Arkansas lying contiguous to Red
river. The greater portion OF this immense
trade is now being conveyed to st. Louis
and Cincinnati by means of the superior
enterprise Of those cities over New Orleans.
st. Louis long since saw the growing i'm
portance of the trade of Texas, Northern
Louisiana and Arkansas, and took early
steps to secure both railroad and steam
boat connection with this important sec
ton of the Union A railroad is now in
full operation from St. Louis to Calves
ton, running so as to connect with
the most important business points of up
per Louisiana and portions OF Arkansas,
and passing through the most fourishing
portions of Texas. A line of steamers is
also successfully plying between Shreve-
port and ST. Louis. These enterprises on
the part of a rival city have diverted from
New Orleans trade to the amount of mil
lions Of dollars-and after this has been
done, our wise men, assembled as the
representatives and guardians OF our citys
trade and commercial prosperity, sud
denly come to the conclusion that the
time has fully arrived" when the con-
struction of railroad to Texas is indis-
pensably necessary. We are fearful that
the old adage, '.better late than never
will not serve to remedy the evil our peo-
pie have permitted to come upon them
through their own criminal negligence in
not building road to Texas, or permit
ting others to build it.
In connection with this subject we
would call attention to another matter of
great importance to the business of New
Orleans. The Board of Trade of Shreve-
port has recently taken action in regard
to the high rates of insurance and freight
between here and that city. Feeling
friendly and desiring to preserve the
business relations that at present exist
between the two places, the Board of
Trade of Shreveport has called the atten-
ton of the Board of Underwriters and
the Chamber of Commerce in our city to
the importance Of Immediately reducing
both the rates of insurance and freight on
goods shipped to Shreveport.
As this is matter that can not be safe
" delayed, we believe the time has ''fully
arrived" when it bohooves the Board OF
Underwriters and our Chamber of Com
merce to look into the matter. 1t will not
do for our business men to stand with
folded sens when other business COM
munities are up in arms and eager for the
fray.