The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-06-17

cific, and to and from Galveston over the Texu
lines, and thus measurably prove beneficial e
the commerce OF these cities and the people oI
the interior. But how long could the railways
carry such load and how prompt would be the
interest and dividend payments 70 those who are
urged 10 invest in the project
Connecting o Houston you have no such ruin
GUS oompeluon 70 fear, but you have sufficiently
petipg,. splendidly organized and ably managed,
| steamship line--Morgan's. But you also have
the friendship and cooperation u ali, or nearly
oil, the rsil ways having their terminus here. In
connection with over 1900 miles OF railroad ira.
versing this emlire State In al directions. This
idea may seem chimerical, but nm not alone id
the conviction that the time 10 not distant when
the necessities OF travel and trade between your
| CITY Texas and Mexico be followed BY that Of
the Pacific slope--will afford abundant transpor
tation for both steamships and 'fifst-class rail-
road. =. -
| You may have observed that an organization
has been recently had, and charter secured
from the State, for the construction Of railroad
/ from austin sastwardfy to the t65t dsgrse Of
longitude, at which point II 10 proposed 70 inter-
sect any line which may be bull across the con-
tinent on Or near the 3ad parallel Of latitude.
| coast representation in Congress should and will
demand greater facilities for commerce and more
direct communication than Is offered by any plan
| for Pacific railway now extant. The general d.
tire Southern Coast, may be seen by . glance
over the accompanying map. Between New Or
leans aud Aus.in, q distance of 500 miles, or be-
tween New Orleans and San AnsoDio, distance
Of $50 mile; there are but about $50 miles to be
built In Louisiana to complete the line, and to
connect either Of the latter points by rail with
the Southern Pacific Raj road Of California (now
reported as under contract for 40 miles to the
eastward Of Its present terminus, Fort Yuma),
1t Is believed tt at but little than one-half
the government aid now asked for another line is
required. To New Orleans, Galveston and other
ports Of the South, the Importance Of this line
is scarcely susceptible OF exsgeration. The
advantages OF genial climate; OF uniformity OF
grade, txtent Of habitable country, development
OF mineral wealth along It's course, snd vast saw
ing In distance. would unquestionably render it
the most favored OF all tlanscontinental lines of
railway. The traffic to and for the Pacific in
stead Of being confiaed to one or two Northern
ports, would thus fad it's outlet and inlet at any
OF the dozen or 80 Southern ports, over much
lessened distance, and OF course ut much less
cost.
This interesting subject might be tru.hfulIy
and more forcibly elaborated did time admit. I
must, however, content myself with briefly an
swering the queries contained in yours
i The company controlling this line il alto
and Texas Railroad Company, though some Of its
principal stockholders are also largely interested
In the latter. MY official relations are therefore
confined exclusively to this road, and l am at
present unadvised beyond the fact that that COM
pa1y are extremely anxious and are earnestly
seeking TO devise some plan for the immediate
completion OF their line. In this connection
have taken the liberty to forward yours for the
perusal OF interested parties in the North.
q am wholly ignorant of Mr.. Morgan's views
and designs, but have been taught for many
years 10 entertain 30 high regard for his Saga
city, foresight and enterprise, thst cannot be-
neve, Whatever may have been his past views and |
Determination, that he will now seek to check the