New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-05

subsequently withdrawn from the market
and still remain Withdrawn from entry o.
sale.
regret to say that, like other companies
the company to whom this grant was &C
corded-a grant which, in any Western
State, would be sufficient of itself to build
the whole road-has remained inactive
Those in charge of its affairs have not had
the ability or the financial capacity to util
ize the resources placed. at their disposal.
The Texas Pacific Company have com
pleted their road to Fort Worth, Texae,
thus giving az uninterrupted communities
ton of over 300 miles west from Shreve'
port, connecting with the interior of Texas
by other lateral railroads. 1t may safely be
assumed that the wants of commerce will
compel the construction Of this road, at an
early day. at least to Ell Paso. The cues
ton now is by what means can direct
communication be established by railroad
between New Orleans and some point at or
near the eastern terminus of the Texas Pa.
cifc road.
The Senator, and Q member Of Congress,
from this State, have recently introduced
into each house of Congress. bills which
l understand provide for aid in securing
the payment of interest ON bonds to be is
sued by the company to the amount OF
$4,000 mile upon the incomplete main
line OF the Texas Pacific railroad, and to
the amount of $4,000 per mile for the pro-
jected lateral lines, one of which con-
meets with New Orleans. The lower
house of Congress appears to be composed
of members, majority of whom are, on
principle, opposed to national aid to works
of this nature. 1t is particularly untortu-
nate that at this juncture, when the State is
beginning to recuperate from its long pros
traitor, that there should be SO little pros
pect of receiving that assistance which has
heretofore been given with a lavish hand to
enterprises of like nature, and which l
think we have the right to ask from the
general government, both for our railroads
and our levees.
While hoping that the efforts in behalf
of the existing Western railroad connec-
ton with Southern Texas will be successful
it is incumbens upon US in the meantime to
use all possible efforts to help ourselves.
In my judgment the most vital connection
in the interests of the city and Of the en-
tire State is that by the way of Baton
Rouge, Alexandria and Shreveport to some
point on the line of the Texas Pacific.
Such connection would open up the
whole Red river valley, which is now closed
to navigation during large portion Of the
year, and which comprises some Of the
finest and most productive lands Of the
State.
During the summer of last year the New
Orleans and Pacific Railroad Company was
orporated under the general laws OF the
State. This company has thus far mani
tested an energy, enterprise and vitality in
commendable contrast with the supineness
of other.companies heretofore incorporated
BY act OF the General Assembly with great
powers and subsidies. The present South
ern terminus of this company Is near
alexandria, and its Northwestern terminus
will connect with the Texas Pacific rail-
road at some point not yet determined
upon. The road, am informed, has been
graded from Alexandria to Cotile, a
distance of fifteen miles through the
swamps. The open fields and higher grounds
have now been reached, and the work will
consequently progress more rapidly. No
aid has been asked nor can any be given by
the State to this company, and no COM
bined effort has been made to secure aid
from the parishes through which its route
passes. One or two parishes have, how
ever, subscribed literally to the stock of
the company. The completion of this line
with terminus below the falls Of Alexan-
dria would open up deep water and railroad
communication between New Orleans and
the Texas Pacific Railroad all the year
round, and would be Of incalculable benefit
to the city and State. l have great con-
renee in the early completion of this road.
he present running terminus OF the New
O. cans, Mobile and Texas railroad is at
Donaldsonville, but the road has been com
pleted some ten miles further, nearly to
Bayou Goula. If road were completed
from this point to connect with the New Or
leans and Texas railroad at Alexandria, the
problem of direct railroad connection with
Northern Texas would be measurably solved.
Ii any company or combination of compa-
MES could be formed to complete railroad
connection between New Orleans and the
Texas Pacific, l feel cure that Congress,
while it may not be disposed to grant any
new money subsidies, would not turn deaf
ear to properly presented request % trans
fer to such companies the grant OF ,6oOOoO
acres of public land. originally made
for the express purpose of building a
railroad from New Orleans to tho Texas
Pacific. Much the greater part of the land
thus granted lies between Bonaldsonvill'
and Shreveport. The value of these lands
az have already said. will, in a few years
nearly or quite repay the cost OF construct
ing the road.
FINANCES OF NEW ORLEANS.
The financial condition of the city O
New Orleans is such as to render some leg
islative action imperatively necessary. TIT
present city administrators, as far as l an
able to judge, appear to have labored Il
the best of their ability to establish econ
omy in the different departments of tn
government, but Notwithstanding the.
have very largely reduced expenditures
the financial embarrassments of the cit.
have increased. had hoped that the Gen
eral Assembly, comprising as it does man.
gentlemen thoroughly conversant with cit.