Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-06-03
The Appeals Railroad Map-The Kan
sas City RRIirORd-Ibe Pros
peet, Etc.

EDITORS APPEAIs--C Colonel F. NJ. Ma
han, Of your city, to-day handed me a
copy of your paper OF the etwenty-seventh
ultimO, in which you publish map or
diagram showing the situation of Mem
phis and the numerous railways center
ing thereat. l was really glad to have
the Information which tins map gives
with reference TO Memphis. 1t is no
more strange that Memphis, "thus fes-
tooned with iron trackways, and en-
wreathed with smoke from countless
steamers, and locomotives, boasts Of not
more than sixty thousand infabitants,n
than that Kansas City, situated at the
great southern bend Of the Missouri
river, with her countless railways CEN
tering from all directions except SOUTH
east, and commanding the trade OF the
Missouri valley, the cattle trade of Texas,
and much of the businesssof the Terrific
ries on the western frontier, should con-
tain a population Of only forty thousand.
This problem will never be solved until
the iron rails are laid direct from here to
Memphis. Kansas City must have a
practical outlet for the great versatility
OF surplus productions that center here,
and that outlet must be continual. Nav
igation from hare 10 the east is closed to
Us during that very season of the year
when most required, and all railway
transportation for our Productions from
here to New York Is entirely out OF the
question, while the condition of the Mis-
sissippi river between st. Louis aud
Cairo, as testified TO by the citizens Of
st. DOuis before the senate transporta-
ton committee. leaves US bat two out
lets for our productions-one TO Calves
ton, eight hundred miles by rail, and the
other 10 Memphis, which does not ex-
ceed four hundred miles by rail over the
line which Is now partially surveyed Tor
the Kansas City, Memphis and Mobile
railroad. If the railway companies be-
tween this city aud Galveston shall so
reduce their rates as TO render shipments
OF grain and other productions practical
bic, then Of course TO large extent we
wOUld be compelled 30 rely upon the for
eign markets OF the east, and upon Cuba
and the Sorth and Central Ameri-
can and Mexican States, adding
only thereto the consumption OF
southern Texas, which are often
uncertain and irregular. At Memphis
we have the same access 20 all the foreign
markets of the world, and 10 the great
Atlantic cities OF the esst, IS well as 10
the great consumers Of the rice ami cot
ton-fields, southeast and south of Mem
phis, with four hundred miles less rail- !
way transportation. In my humble |
judgment no line of railway can be de-
yised or thought of that win successful !
ly ever compete with a line from here 1
70 Memphis. This line is now nearly /
graded, and ready for the superstTuctuTe I
TO the Usage river, distance from Kan
sss City, in direct line to Memphis, one I
and seven miles. On this di- I
vision we have now issued first-mort- /
gage bonds, and made arrangements
Tor the sale Of the same 10 parties who
propose tos handle all Of our first-mort-
gage bonds from here 70 Memphis. We
expect TO have the first division Of this
-oad in operation this year. Hoping
hat your citizens will use all the in
iuence in their power 20 prevent the
diversion OF the line and subsidies in
Arkansas from the main line to Kansas
City, which is Of so much vital import
sDee to you and to as, and tbs whole
country at large. | remain, yours
Iruly, A.D.LA DUE,
GENERAL Superintendent Kansas City, Mem
phis and Mobile RailrOad COMPANY.