The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-02
TIE RAILROAD QUESTION.



ST. In a recent issue Of your valuable
journal appears leading editorial under the
beading OF .'Suspicious Movements, in which
it is stated that ''a composition and settle
ment has been effected with the contractors
and sub-contractors and their interests made
identical with those Of the recent purchasers
Of the road" While this is all true, ''the con-
tractors and sub-contractors" who are citizens
Of New Orleans, and hold that they have an
equal interest with other citizens in the
welfare and prosperity Of the city, object to
having their action in this important matter
placed before their fellow citizens in other light
than that which influenced them in their cor
illusions
In the first place it was necessary before the
purchasers Of the road, under the recent sale,
could treat with any home company, that they
should first clear the property OF all legal pro-
ceedings that were as clouds upon their title,
and might remain for an indefinite period Of
time IS a barrier to any compromise or agree
meut with the home company, and consequent
" serious distractions that would. no doubt,
delay the commencement and continuation OF
this important line Of railway.
In the second place, the sub-contractors,
who are citizens, after n careful examination
of all the surroundings, decided that, II IN
this composition and settlement" they made
large sacrifice Of their personal interest, they
did so in the still larger interests Of the COM
munity Of which they form individual men,
bers. and at the same time relieved themselves
of the anxiety, trouble, and expense of carry
ing on y long and doubtful litigation.
In their new position they have identical
interest with the purchasers, but the value OF
those interests is resting with the action and
enterprise Of our citizens, They have so far
Al, {, Il tI,o nhcfo LOG
that were preventing sale of this property to
q home organization, with the hope that this
or Some arrangement will quickly be made,
whereby the city of New Orleans will have
speedy rail communication with the great
heart Of Texas.
A careful inquiry into the fact, will con-
vince you that the State has rights and LENS
no. as second mortgagor bondholder, but by
virtue OF Judgment, based upon subsidy
bond and as furnisher Of means for the con-
structon of that portion of the road from
Westwego to Donaldsonville. The matter OF
the issuance of the two and a half million
Shreveport branch bonds. is another question,
and should, with propriety, be omitted IN the
present discussion.
The prominent representative of the road
referred to in the editorial, who has gone to
Meridian to look over the Chattanooga and
Alabama Road, in which he has large inter
est, before leaving denied emphatically hav.
ING held close conference with Kellogg, Low.
ell and others, or in any manner being in
collision with them, and this denial, on the
eve OF His departure, he requested this writer
to make public.
The claiins Of the STATE are still in the hand:
Of Messrs Fellows and Cotton, and while in
their bands little doubt can be entertained bu,
that those gentlemen will render such advice
and counsel as will best aid the interest OF the
State aud promote the welfare and prosperity
of our future commerce.
b. giving this place in your columns you
will ia Tor one OF those
SUB-CoNTRAcTo
Naz, Orleans Nov o. 1874