New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-24
RED RIVER AND RAILROAD TO MAR
SHALL, TEXAS.

TO q railroad extension into Texas. it ii
deemed by the merchants who have IN
deftaken to make the connection best t
place their means where they will do the
most immediate good. We have already
water communications to considerable
distance on the way. They propose tc
avail themselves of it. They make Mar
| shall an objective point and begin theil
road at Alexandria. the head OF safe navi
CATION on the Red river. If produce o,
merchandise is once at this point. it will
be sure OF transportation to or from New
Orleans. There is much wisdom in this
plan. 1t will, First-Head off the trade
now tending to the East by cross routes.
Second It will give immediate effect
to the small capital applicable to
connection with Texas. Third-It will
relieve New Orleans from any present
! danger OF being compelled to pay
q premium to the holders OF the
| franchise OF way to Central and Southern
Texas. It makes available. temporarily.
a boating interest which will aid by the
delivery Of material and supplies in this
distant interior by the cheapest mode Of
transportation. AS we approve this idea
of applying the limited means applicable
70 this important work. we will be par
doned a few words Of caution upon the
best means of giving effect to this idea.
AS to the means Of building the road
we have heard Of two modes which
have been proposed. The one for
raising construction money by mortgage
and sale of bonds. There will be the or.
binary difficulty Of finding sale for such
securities beyond the local demand. with
perhaps some especial indisposition on
the part Of capital SITS to take hold OF any
Louisiana obligations at present. There
is another danger still more serious. 1t
is that these bonds may even pass into
the hands CT some rival interests. who
will sell the road. buy it in, and so work i:
that New Orleans. the builder. will derive
no advantage from tue work Of her own
hands.
Under these views it would seem better
tiat the company should build a stock
road if it be possible. That is. road
in which the ownership shall be so local
lied as that ii may be difficult to command
proxies to coutro! it against the interest |
nf Navr, ftryaa~,e, r, chic
again the vital importance.
both as a matter Of finance and Of con.
troll. Of having this road built as far as
possible by the land owners along the line
# construction. In building a road on
he old fashioned stool; principle instead
If by the new tangled Credit Mobilier
plan. we do not renounce the use OF
ponds. but would make the compensation
# builders consist Of cash. stock and
ponds. III the best proportion which
he directory can bargain tor. One
million o! Ous money would then
AIRY two other millions Of stock and
'onds. Our money would come back to
own in exchange for supplies. while the
ther elements Of construction would re.
main in safe hands. Under such mode
+ construction it would be improbable
hat the bondholders could purchase and
ontrol the road IS against the local com.
inations Of the city and country. We
ave commended the utilization OF the
led river. but the company must guard
gainst any possible dis!ocation Q: the
Railroads purchase and
ut on steam lines as part Of their rolling
,ock because it insures continuity Of
.ansit between production and consump.
on. The Baltimore and Ohio and the .
ennsylvania Central have built lines {
ocean steamers for this purpose. 6
lille railroads terminating upon Lake I
RE have lines. or have made con. ,
acts with stea M lines, which will {
lsure freights and rates between Duluth G
: Milwaukee and the Erie terminus Of G
,ch roads. Our new railroad company {
ust see that they are masters Of the t
hole way between Marshall and New Or. 7
ans. Through bills may then be given /
T freights. and the line. though it may a
, slow, will be regular and reliable.
AS branch Of the same important pol @
y. the company must not be tempted to d
low any commission, storage or drayage Q
Alexandria, nor indeed at either Of the c
ads termini. AL the depot arrange. t
ents should be made with this view. {
oplication should be made at Marshall, O
ID in New Orleans for every facility a
hich will insure the safe and cheap ship a
ent of goods. A: Alexandria the juno. Il
IN Of the rail and river should be shell q
red, the rolling freight should be trans o
rred by steam. and all without charge. s.
ley can correspond with Baltimore or Ii
licago ON this subject, and adopt the t,
lnsfer policy of those cities. Contracts Y
ould be made with all connecting roads e
lich will secure rights of time schedule. Il
eight tariff and interchange Of burden
rs. &
In few words. the railroad company "
ould in advance place itself beyond the e
ssibility of permitting our people to p
lid road for some astute rival 20 rob %
of and us. to our injury. ii
1t is the duty of the press 20 disabuse b
G public mind Of the idea that il re- I
Tres immense financial skill! and great e
entitic knowledge to construct a rail