New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-20
DALLAS VS.. HOUSTON.

spective merits Of Dallas and Houston,
| rivals for becoming the terminus of our
great railroad built. Dallas, being
represented by two or three of its citi-
| zens, who have no mean persuasive pow
ers, seemed to have the call over its I'm.
represented rival, so much so that there is
no doubt that had it been in the power of
the gentlemen present to decide, Dallas
would have been carried by great odds.
But as there was nobody on hand with
the needful amount of money, little or no
result was accomplished. Were it posi-
BILE or even feasible to build the road
to Dallas and Houston too, it would
be all the better: but as Houston is the
nearer place, and money can not be raised
to finish it that far. we do not see how a
much greater sum could be got together
to build it to Dallas, especially as the re-
spective advantages are SO nearly bal
anced. It seems to us to be Texas
question exclusively, in which the citizens
of New Orleans have hardly earned the
right to make suggestions. They cffer no
money, and can not even raise enough to
extend the road to the Texas border. We
should at least approach that line before
we attempt to peer into the interior to see
what lies beyond it. As for the represen-
tatives from Dallas. they come with a
charter or the promise Of one. which they
promise to give the builders Of the road,
but have no capital to assist with. There
is some talk of a grant Of lands, but these
are comparatively Of little value without
the railroad. Unless the holders of this
franchise can find parties here who are
able and willing 70 pu: Up a few millions
of ready cash. their mission will prove a
failure. They appear perfectly willing to
let any one build the road who can and
wants to do SO. We have two or three
projected tracks to let on the same
terms. Our merchants once had an
opportunity to second TIE efforts Of
the State and certain New York
capitalists. but they neglected it. and the
result is AL immense loss. both directly
and indirectly. No subscriptions of any
moment. either as to number OK in the
| aggregate of the amount, were obtained
here. but. on the contrary. special pains
were taken to cry down the enterprise and
discredit and cheaper the State bonds.
Had there been any public spirit in New
Orleans. the road to Houston at. least
could have been built by this time. the
bonds would not be forfeited, and we
could consistently meet the delegates
from Dallas and discuss the feasibility Of
helping them.
The proposed work is of the utmost i'm.
portance to this city. Without it. and
that soon. we shall actually lose large
percentage Of the fractional trade we
have left to US. But it can not be built
withou: money. People are not going to
subscribe enough in small amounts 70
construct it. and it is almost certain that
no assistance can be expected from the
City Council. The plan to issue more
bonds in aid Of a railroad has fallen fat.
| in face Of the recent assurance that though
all previous Efforts to this end have re.
suited in disappointment, this special case
is q sure thing. Leaving out the ques.
ton Of inclination altogether. we doub.
whether the city could negotiate so large
q loan as two million dollars on any
terms short Of absolutely giving the bonds
away at the cost Of producing them. 4
| suggestion was made by gentleman the
other night. which is worthy Of some Of
the sentimental legends which have been
handed down from the middle ages. but
have probably rarely ever been pu: into
| practice. He proposes to organize VOL
unteer police Of citizens. discharge the
present force. and donate the police fund
to the improvement. of Texas. This
proposition implies tia. the personal
services OF a ''citizen" Of New Orleans
are worth no more than eighty-.hree dol
lars per month. but such as they are. are
to be freely rendered to our friends. the
Texans. who have no police to discharge.
no police fund to divert. An average
citizen would doubtless prefer to donate
o liberia! peg cen: o: his earnings in a pro.
tess;on more congenial to his tastes and
abilities than that Of standing guard on
dark nights owe, rogues and drunk AID
disosderly persons. We suggest in lieu
thereof that the present White League
government be dissolved, the clubs dis.
banded. without. however. abol;shing the
tax which is now imposed upon the vari-
GUS business interests. This tax exists
here as forced levy. I. is very burden.
some. but there are few who dare refuse
to payis. That, with Cur legitimate State
and city taxes, which have to Be levied an
nually to pay the expenses Of former in.
yestments in railroads. with on. five orsix
theatres. dozen OF SO public balls, coffee
and beer houses. and a rather extrava.
CANT habit Of living, render it impractical.
BILE for US to offer our Texas friends any
thing better than good advice. We eau