The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-06-13
OUR RAILROAD


grit worthy Of the cause and credita-
BILE TO them, are determined TO 60
through with it and give assurances
of certain success and an early com
pletion of the road, if the people who
are interested do but half their duty,
and give them the assistance they
have every right to expect and every
reason to ask. As an evidence Of the
renewed energy on the part OF the
managers of the New Orleans and
Pacific Railway Company, we inform
our readers, and here speak from of
fetal information, that they intend
at once to transfer portion of their
present working force from the up
per line to the road bed between
Alexandria and New Orleans. The
road is graded from here to Lecomte,
and they will commence at that point
and work down. This means bust
ness and displays commendable en-
ergy and pluck on their part and en-
titles them to the gratitude of all in
terested in the road.
The last Legislature granted a
charter to road from Alexandria to
Little Rock, Ark, on the other side
of the river, and the incorporators
are all men of standing and energy,
Twin in the Parishes through which
the road is to pass. 1t is unnecessa'
ry for US to enter into any arguments
to prove what an incalculahle benefit
these two roads will be to the whole
country; nor need we try to show
what effect they will have in build
ing Alexandria up to an inland city,
and increasing tue business done
here thousand fold; these are facts
plain to the comprehension of every
body and need no proof or argument
to support them.
The practical question now pre-
sented to the people of Rapides gen
orally and to the citizens of Alexan'
dria and vicinity particularly, is
what are they going to do to help
these railroads. The Arkansas road
has not yet been organized under its
charter, and it must necessarily fol
low and depend upon the completion
of the New Orleans and Pacific road.
This latter has given all reasonable
assurances of their genuine intention
to complete this road and put US in
railroad communication with New
Orleans, and it is reasonable in them
to look for and ask the aid Of our
people. This they do, and they ap-
peal to them to come forward and
pay up what has already been sub
scribed here, and to increase those
subscriptions to something like the
sum Rapides ought to give them
We know that money is scarce; but
under the new order Of things the
times are not as hard as they have
been and with one or two good crops
they will brighten up considerably.
When it is considered that whatever
aid is given to the road will be re-
turned by it hundred times over in
the increased value of property and
business, it is safe investment and
we know that our people are even
now abundantly able to give all tina,
is asked of them to help build the
road, and we urge them to come for
ward in the right spirit, and by gen.
erous subscriptions help the mana,
gers who are struggling so manfully
with adverse circumstances to give
US railroad. 1t is the duty of oul
people to do so, and their credit as
business NJ n, as men o.
property are at stake. 1t may be
that what we can give will not build
many miles of the road, but it will
nerve those having it in charge, ant
will show to others who are able tt
give more, that is home enterprise
supported by the people who have
confidence in its success, and who
are determined that it shall succeed
We address this plain question te
everyone of our readers: What arr
you going to give to help our Rail
road2