The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-14
N TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILROAD.
IT'S Extension to New Orleans.
r,stttr frem Col. Thomas A scott.
orr1eE or THE PaEsIpsNT,
Philadelphia, February D, 1873 }

In philadepha, February .. 1878.
6ol. II. VI. Loughsry, Editor Oh. the Iri-weeAs
4 Herad, Marshall, Texas;
4 Dgnr Sir--I have your favor OF Janu-
&rv ia enclosing an article from tne
#A1gstip Statesman, and also your own
sditorhl commenting thereon.
i iii issomewhat difficult to answer ZIG
statements that are pupiisn-
i'd In The Statesman. IL charess ~ o the
srayas and Pacific bill for the exten..
Esiona to New Orleans, Vicksburg ana
4hfem,his. In the next 1t admits that
E,ronec prnyision has been made 10r
stheaa extensions, but fears there ID
Esaatbi,g To compel their construction
z.1ntils5n indefinite date; whereas the
8bill i, perfectly clear on this point, ana
requires those extensions TO pc oulit III
fhres Years, or just .one-half the time
nansd for the completion OF the main
line s,,,r,ap+
Ia rove that parties who have Invested
twdve to fifteen millions OF dollars In
Am portion OF the Texas and Pacific
r5nI already built, and equipped, would
naturally do oil in their power to secure
n The line, when constructed, the
nro5er connections with the harbors
nm railroads Of the South. And any
msr, OF railroad experience knows thai
th5 talk about diverting traffic from tne
Tbgas and Pacific road over the North-
en- lines is simply absurd.
7I have always been warmly In 1aVor
II fine extensions South aud East OF the
Iiexas and Pacific line. so as to give con-
sIectiofls with every Southern harbor
and railway, as fully provided for in the
bill. because I believe that the South
Inns q right to them, and that the Ma
tionai Government having helped the
North 30 largely, should and will ex.
tend this aid to the Southern section OF
the country.
The direct trunk line to which the
editor OF the Statesman refers, Will pc an
open highway with which oil ROADS can
connect. and with which the Pennsyl,,
vania Railroad has nothing IN the worla
! to do. and never will have, but Calves
ton. New Orleans. Charleston, bavan-
nah and other Southern ports Will have
ssha shortest possible connection through
fhfa trunk fine to the Pacific, / have
no doubt they will avail themselves OF
its advantages to very large extent IN
the Improvement OF their commercial
and other facilities.
The bill gives to Congress the right to
regulate rates, but expressly provides
that nothing in the act contained shall
interf6re with the uutleS OF opilSn'toAa
Of the company. to the State OF Texas
The bill, OF which l enclose copy, Ii
very clear on this point.
III the editor OF the Statesman will reac
che bill, and the report Of Mr.. Lamar
! the chairman Of the Committee on Pa
ciflo Railroads, he willltind that a:grea
many Of the evils which he seems Il
fear have no existence, and that the In
terests of Texas are as carefully looked
after In the legislation now sought as II
any bill that has ever been presented
either to Congress or the Legislature
that State. -,
/ am much obliged to you for calling
my attention to the views set forth j.
the Statesman. and you are at liberty,
you 80 desire. to publish this letter.
Yours very truly
THOMAS A. SCoTT,
Pres't Texas II Pacific Railway.