The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-02-05

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS NORTH AND SOUTH
AN EANEST APPEAL FOR A SOUTHERN
HIGHWAY TO THE PACIFIC.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS NORTH AND SOUTH -
AN EANEsT APPEAL FOR A SOUTHERN
HIGHWAY TO THE PACIFIC.
from the Louisville Courier Journal
1t is u startling fact that since the in
allguration Of the National Government
there has been spent about $4,000, OOt
Of public money on public improve
ments In the Northern States, while the
expenditures in the South have not ex.
cecded I7,0o0,OOO. It Is the more sur.
prising when we remember that the
ccpting during the war, furnished one.
half to threc-iourths Of the exchange
with which we have paid our foreign
debts, and that In default Of Southern
productions the supply OF gold and
silver would be Inadequate to pay
the annual interest charges on
the national debt, and the Gov.
eminent Of the United States would
inevitably have dishonored its
foreign obligations. 1t Is also true that
what the Southern States contribute to
the general fund OF tho wealth Of the
country Is Of an essential value, not
capable OF being overestimated, and
that what enters into Southern con
sumption has formed the basis OF q vast
part Of the commercial wealth earned
by Northern and Western industry and
enterprise. Both rs u producer and
consumer, the South, with its peculiar
resources, unapproached either in kind
or magnitude, and with It's special
wants growing out Of conditions which
are unalterahle, has rendered possible
the rapid progress OF the United States
in wealth and political grandeur. The
United States government has built
with the peoples money number of
railroads connected with the Pacific
system, in the northern half OF the pub
lie territory, and has expended In their
construction $65, 600 600. In addition to
this 1t has paid $2s, 6OO, 900 in interest
making total expenditure Of about
$93, 100000. These railroads are OPP
Grated for. the exclusive benefit OF the
Northern States and Territories, and
the impoverished South has been help
ing to pay for them. The main line
leaves breadth OF country to the South
400 to 100 miles wide, to all Of which it is
commercially Inaccessible. This section
has u population Of about $4,000, 900 of
people, who, as we have said, supply
one-half to three -fourths lin valued OF
the total exports OF the United States.
The population are in an impoverished
condition, however, and are without
railroad facilities or the means to create
them-a deficiency which imposes an
impossible barrier upon the proper deve-
lopment OF their resources. 1t is the
wish Of the vast majority OF people in
every Southern State that tho Govern
ment AID in opening through the South
crn half OF the Union q transcontinental
line connecting the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans-a line which will not only in
itself open to the markets OF the world
some OF the best sections OF the United
States, but will also bring trade and
renewed activity and prosperity to
the general railroad system, now In
y condition OF extreme depression.
The Government Is not asked to use
q dollar Of public money, as 1t did
in building Pacific railroads for the
North, but merely to give the credit of
the proposed road an undoubted stand
can raise money on It's own obligations.
In the light OF the experience OF the
other Pacifi; railroads, the proposed
road would be in condition to furnish
the Government ample guarantee
against loss by reason Of its endorse
ment, as the amount lat stake will be
only one-fifth OF the earnings OF the
Central Union Pacific, while tho South
ern route will be shorter and will have o |
better trade to depend on The former
are earning over $4,000 per mile, while |
the latter need earn only $3.50 to meet |
the proposed interest guarantee. There
are also other indemnities, such as the |
lands Of the road ITSELF so that In the |
event the Government should have
to foreclose. it would come into
It had built, through it's own
domain, which it is its interest to
develop aud open to settlement. It Is not
only improbable, but it is absolutely i'm
possible, that anything can be lost to
,he Government by the operation, ex-
,cpt through improperly guarded pro-
visions in the law, a result which we in
,ist, il jealousy provided against by
Congress, is also impossi-
Die. The Southern States have testified
heir earnest zeal for this work
~ resolutions adopted by the
Legislatures Of the various States.
~ their commercial Organiza-
ions, and by various conventions.
Here is an opportunity to discharge
,reat duty to the South, and perform
work. which would do more than any
ther feasible undertaking to eaualize
he material benefits derived by the :
Jorth and South from the National /
iovernment-a work, too, which will
compensate the North for
is cooperation in doing justice to the
outh. Let us not lose the opportunity
D, hasten the realization OF its impOr-
ant results to the whole country.