The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-02-07
nsrning Star and Catholic Messenger
Hsw ORLEANS SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 1915
Comm uncsted
a RAILROAD TO TEXAS.
1xsuouIp BE OWNED IN NEW ORLEANS.

Next to the establishment of an honest,
capable and respected government, we
consider the building of railroad to Tex
N 40 the most important and vital auoJecS
Sor the consideration of the citizens OF New
Orleans. Pass along now any OF the
tAoroughfares occupied by Western Produce
dealers, and among shipments being made'
what an absense may be noticed OF articles
marked for Texas, in comparison with
what there used to be q few years ago.
Particularly is this the case among flour
and grain dealers,--and, of course, grocers,
100, suffer in the curtailment of orders
many articles not now being asked for at
al of which New Orleans had almost the
exclusive shipment a few years ago. Could
we not include in the above the great dry
goods, hardware, and crockery ware inter
ests Of our city and, in fact, what line of
business has not suffered7 None, indeed,
10 our knowledge,-and where all have
anffered alike, common and united effort
should DO made to remedy the disadvant
aces that we labor under rs mercantile
people.
Property owners, don't you think that
you are particularly concerned in this
matter Your income-if any now after
taxes are paid-is derived from the rent of
buildings used for business or dwelling
purposes and, of course, if the merchant
has had his business curtailed, and the
mechanic, clerk and laborer are out of
employment, rents must 60 down and must
continue to 60 down until you and the
merchant, whose interests In this matter
are identical, come together and adopt the
snme means to bring this business and
general prosperity back that your sister
cities have used to deprive you of them.
Then, we say, build railroad to Texas
that will be OWNED by the property hold
srs, business men and, in fact, by all who
have an interest in the particular prosperity
Of New Orleans. Yes, if not owned and
controlled in the interests of this city, it
were better that no road should be built.
Some may be disposed to look upon this
matter of ownership az of small cohse-
suence bnt it is of paramount Importance I;
and road would only benefit New Orleans
insomuch as it was controlled in her inter
aste, and we have no faith in its being 30
controlled unless it is owned here, and a
Sarther safeguard had in proper legislation
guaranteeing to New Orleans that no
THROUGH freight shall ever be taken over
sae road at q lower rate than that charged
Sor freight shipped from here. This is the
AL important point, and must not he lost
aight of under any circumstances, and
Aence we repeat that the road must be
9Wned here if it is intended to be of any
great benefit 10 ourselves.
Why, we ask, is St. Louis picking up
What used to be our trade in Texas and
slsewhere7 1t is simply due to her owner
ahip ofrailroads which are being used in her
Interests, thus enabling her merchants TO
asad through freight mt q lower proportion
ate rae than Ia charged on similar freight
shipped from here to the same place.
Net us illustrate this point pore fully by
stating that boxed goods can be shipped
rom points at the North, aud a through
Fate of freight obtained by which the pro-
portion of the charge from here is ten cents
per foot lower than is charged on the same
class ef.freight, had the shipment original
cd here. In other words, there is charged
from Que half to two thirds more for
local freight, or freight from New Orleans
10 Texas, than is charged on through
Freight for the came distance.
There may be those among us who think
Shst the present depressed state of business
is ewing entirely to our political compiled
lions, and that if they were remedied, the
natural position of our city is sueh--with the
6ucst river in the world ut our doors
4has we could bid defiance to any rival,
and hopefully wait for the good time com
ing. Do people who are of this way of
thinking ever reflect that it is useless to
Aave our wharves and stores full of goods
u there is no proper outlet for such. Peo
pIo don't send their produce here to be
Aensed in warehouses-they send them to
. market to be sold, and as long as we
hack proper railroad facilities as q grand
just SO long will New Orleans
remain in her present depressed condition,
tho wonder of her neighbors at the lack
q enterprise among her citizens.
Indeed, when we reflect on the situation,