New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-23
The Railroad to Texas.


ton of Mr.. Seixas, at the Chamber of Com.
merce. to prepare an address to the mer-
chants and real estate owners Of the city,
has been diligently at work and has COM
piled and now presents the following docu-
ment.
The objects and advantages of the road
are so we'll set forth in the address that it
is needless to refer to them. The committee
makes a strong appeal, which should be
carefully read by every one interested in
the prosperity Of New Orleans:
To the Citizens of New Orleans:
The undersigned committee, appointed by
the Chamber of Commerce to address you
on the subject of aiding the construction OF
a railroad to Central Texas. to be con-
structed and controlled il the interest of
this CITY by we'll known citizens, respect
fully ask you to vote for the ratification of
the ordinance now before the Board of Ad
ministrators of the city of New Orleans to
levy tax not exceeding two mills on the
dollar, and to assume and pay the interest
for ten years on s., SOC. 600 OF first mortgage
bonds to be issued Oy the railroad company
on the road as constructed, IN accordance
with the provisions of said ordinance.
We are well aware Of the fact that your
property is now burdened with taxation out
Of all proportion to the revenues derived
from it's nse, and that under ordinary cir
cumstar:s IN additional burden, small
tbaa.' +, pe. should not be thought of, the
cftcg51>s .nces are extraordinary and war
ran. .43 appeal now made for your support.
,.Lcs the close Of the war you have eeen
tn c;spid increase in the population and
Wee. Of st. Louis and Chicago, brought
about by the construction OF railroads. Two
lines of road have been constructed con-
Meeting those cities with the various roads
in the State of Texas. One of these roads
traverses several hundred miles of unin
habited territory through the Indian coun-
try, striking that part Of Texas most
sparsely populated; the other traverses the
State of Arkansas and enters Texas near
Fulton, on Red river, connecting with roads
traversing the best portion Of the State.
These new lines Of communication he.
tween Texas and the West are carrying the
trade Of that great State, once exclusively
enjoyed by New Orleans, to St. Louis,
Chicago and New York, over lines much
longer than would be required to bring it to
New Orleans. The loss OF this trade and
the positive knowledge that each year will
witness farther inroads into the business
enjoyed by this city has already driven
many of ourmOst active merchants to
close up their business and move to other
cities, and unless New Orleans is speedily
connected by rail with Texas, many OF
those who remain will be forced to follow.
Such calamity recessitating heavy loss
of capital now employed here, would
seriously curtail the receipts Of cotton and
other articles of commerce and leave the
city with diminished population and cap
ital to bear the burdens now almost too
heavy to be borne. The result would be
your property would become valueless.
Construct railroad to Texas over which
the merchants Of that State can reach your
stored and new fields opened up in the
States West of Missouri, from which q rich
harvest will be reaped. BY means of
railroad Kansas City is trading direct
New Orleans can offer superior attractions
for the trade of the great West. The
wealth added to the State and city by the
construction of this road will not only
make your property valuable. but would
largely aid to bear the burdens Of the gov
ernment and greatly lessen the rate of
taxation.
Such road would supply New Orleans
with better beef and other articles con-
sumed by the people at greatly reduced
prices; the savings on these articles alone
"ouAA AhoAo CAoA pay tIC eHdiA o"ouHU
aeked to secure the construction Of the
road.
The company propose to raise stock
subscription of $l,OOOOOO. which with the
proceeds of the $2,5OO00O of bonds. would
be sufficient to insure the construction
of the road. The company having no
interest to pay for ten years. with road
connecting the great State of Texas with
city of 100000 people, could earn money
enough to pay off or buy up s., 50O 900 bonds
leaving the stockholders the owners of
road SO valuable as to make the stock a
sure investment paying large dividends.
Without the aid asked of the city the road
can not be constructed, but with it success
is certain. and the sum required, 100000
per annum for ten years, will be returned
to you tenfold each year in the increased
value OF your property and the restoration
Of your business.
w. B. SCHMIDT.
DAVID HADDEN,
II. o. SEIXAS.
L. H. GARDNER.
JAMES MCELROY.
CYRUS BUSSEY.
WILLIAM c. BLACK,
W. c. RAYMOND,
r. S. HOWARD.
{. Z. GIRARDEY,
Committee.