New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-08-04
Cha amber of Commerce.

Se1xas. Burwell and Sandidge-repOrted
that they had adopted the report OF the
committee of the Chamber of Commerce to
the Senate Transportation Committee, with
an introduction asking the aid of the
the Grangers to pass the Fort St. Philip
canal bill. One thousand copies had been
sent to Western papers, and five thousand
would be sent to the Grangers within few
days.
Mr. Seixas said he had reports from
10000 oranges, and copies would be TOR
warded to them.
The President stated he had communl-
cation from the American consul at Bou-
logne sur Mer relative to immigration, and
it was referred to the committee on the
Mississippi Valley Company.
On inquiry from Mr.. Haber the Presideat
said no tangible Information was IN his
possession relative to trade with Mexico.
1t was not probable the Alexander line
would be established even though 1t was
promised. That firm paid It's forfeit for not
putting on a line, and made money by it.
To put on a line from New Orleans to Vera
Cruz, giving only three days sea travel In
stead of twelve, would force them to with
draw their New York line.
Mr.. Haber suggested that several of Nor
gan's steamers were idle.
Mr.. Burwell said that steam ferries were
now considering the project OF steam
ferry to Vera Cruz, but he was not author
lied to state that anything definite had
| been determined on.
| Mr. Haber suggested that the subject
| should be taken up by the Chamber
The president said resolution OF the
| Chamber would not amount to anything
unless backed by the merchants. He sug-
| gested stock company with S25o,Ooo capl-
tai, and believed that would establish
line.
| Mr.. Hadden detailed the facts relative to
the line that existed before the war. He
suggested that Mr.. Morgan be interviewed
on the subject.
| Mr.. Burwell stated correspondence was
now progressing with the various railroad
companies on the line from here to New
York with view to obtain guarantee
against loss The sum of $250,OO0 distrib-
uted among SIS, 900, 900 Of capital would be
small. The great advantage was that the
line had in it ninety three members OF Con-
gress, sufficient to secure postal contract
On motion the subject was laid over until
next meeting
The president announced that Mr F. n
Kellogg, of the Louisiana Central railroad
| was present and would address the Cham
Der on matters connected with that road
which was of 80 much impor tance.
Mr.. Kellogg said the road having beer
granted charter year ago last March
| obtained the Governors signature January
| 5, 1874. He had come to Louisiana to see
| what chance there was for local aid. No
| road could be built without local aid. II
asked no aid from the State. 1t had pro
| posed to commerce at Vermillonvllie, ou'
now it would commence at Alexandria.
The four parishes on the line had agreed
to give $l,350. .O00-about $4,000 per mile
| to Shreveport. These bonds can not be
used, but they are assets. He desired that
the merchants OF New Orleans would aid
in building the road. Not to take stock
but to purchase portion of the first mort
gage bonds. When the charter was first
granted arrangements had been made te
dispose of all the bonds in London. But
they were not allowed to on when times
were good. The financial hurricane of last
year destroyed faith in Sou thern securities
and now the bonds could not be sold.
The help of the merchants of New Or
leans is wanted till the bankers OF London
can be informed. The country through
which the road passes is a wonderful one,
but if you had built Chinese wall on the
north and another on the south you couldn't
have more effectually cut off knowledge
| from the rest of the world. l was five days
getting to Shreveport. Think of an old
man, sixty-fve years old. having five days
cut out of his life, when he might have
gone there in six hours if there had been a
railroad Suppose Louisiana was king
dom-and the name has regal sound
what would be thought of the king who
made il easier TO go to Europe, or even
Japan, than the interior Of his dominions
1 came down on nice packet boat, excel
lent room, fine saloon, clever captain, but
she only got along at the rate Of six miles
an hour, and 1 thought, Good God, how dc
people live here! Why, Chicago might
have been burned all up and the news
an old story in Europe and Africa be
fore l heard of it. In Shreveport
there are live men. In commerce
she Is to New Orleans what the jack
all is to the lion. She has 10000 balei
of cotton to send to New Orleans, if there
was a railroad. The people around there
tell her if she will build plank road only
eight miles, 10000 bales would come ove1
that. The people there are crying for
road as the people of Mac edonia cried te
the apostles to come and help them. Inc
{ country is wonderful country, but
stopped with man who has to haul his lOt
bales of cotton twenty three miles, and
some have to haul theirs 100 miles and then
find the river with not enough water IN II
to water a span of horses. The belt Of
country from Shreveport to Alexandra Is
such that don't believe another like it can
be found on the face of the earth, and the
road will pass through the centre of it.
If you build this road you will have
100000 bales of cotton the first year. The
speaker here suggested the cultivation Of
sugar by division of labor, the growers
selling to the sugarhouse proprietor as
Northern farmers sell milk to the cheese
factory.l l heard something tonight about