The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-03-01
THE TEXAS RAILKOAD BILL BEFORE
THE SENATE.

by S6lhBQE5 at0OdG HHu DbcfchS ~ ooos-
ter company to extend the railroad
now known az Morgan's Railroad,
formerly 10 the Opelousas and Great
Western Road, to Texas. We described
the bill as one embracing the PROPOSE
ito ms made four years ago to the Legis-
lature by Mr.. Charles Morgan. which,
under corrupt and improper Influences.
was rejected by the persons who then
com posed our Legislature. We did not
hesitate to repeat the opinions then ex-
pressed by all honest and good
oiti zenH, that such rejection was emil
nently unjust and injurious to the
public interests. Had this bill then
passed and 1t was simply bill asking
the ordinary franchises Of q railroad
com pany. and no aid or subsidy, no
bonds or special tax-there would, we
are assured, have been complete rail-
road connection with Texas In advance
Of the completion OF the International
and Central Texas Railroads, and TO
connect with the same. Thereby THIS
city would have escaped the vast loss
and damage to its interests, Its trade
and all its value. which has resulted
from the prosecution OF the great lines
of railroad communication to the
Mort Inward, and notably the Inter-
national. whose representatives
were In this city ct the time
OF the presentation OF Mr.. Morgan's
bill. and cordially cooperating with
him, labored to effect the junction with
their plan, which would have given
New Orleans the position relative 10
the trade of Texas. which has since
passed to st. Louis. Disguised with the
refusal to accord Mr.. Morgan the small
privileges and franchises he asked the
corporators and capitalists OF the Inter-
national abandoned all efforts In that
direction and retired to st. Louis and
Texas. where they effected other
arrangements, the results OF which nave
proved so disastrous to our city. All
this was due to the gross venality OF the
Radical Legislature and to the narrow
prejudice which repealed an offer from
q man Of large capital and enterprise.
who happened to have the means
of executing O great public WORK
with his own means without asking
the aid OF the State or anybody else.
At the same time there was a company
which owned the Legislature. ana which
claimed the exclusive right to construct
this road, and for this purpose obtained
some eight or ten millions OF dollars
from the State. to supply the capital
and means with which to build it. Not
a spade has been put In the ground, not
O dollar expended in redemption OF this
pledge, and yet, by profuse douceurs to
the venal crew comprising the Radical
General Assembly, this company was
enabled to defeat Mr.. Morgan's PROPOSE
tion and send away the large capitalists
who desired to cooperate with him IN
his movement to save and secure the
great trade of Texas, since drawn off to
st. Louis. This Is one Of the many dis
gushing incidents in the career Of the
corrupt dynasty which has controlled
our legislation for the last ten years.
An opportunity Ia now presented to
re pair the consequences OF this fearful
crime on the part OF our Radical OPP
pr essors, and the lamentable failure on
the part of our people to stand by their
rights and interests, by the prompt
adoption of this charter. The bill pass
ed the Senate yesterday very nearly in
the shape Ia which 1t was originally
drafted, the only important amendment
being that offered by Senator Robert
son, Of st. Landry, which makes ope-
lousas, In the parish of st. Landry. The
point from which the road DIVORCES to
connect with the Texas line. We hope
the House will pass the bill to-day that
it may become a law at the earliest
possible moment. It gives us the
best and and most reliable assurance
we have yet had Of the imme-
date application OF an abundant
capital to the prosecution OF
the most important enterprise which
New Orleans demands for her .reeussita-
ton and prosperity.
We know of no achievement OF the
Democratic government Of Louisiana
which would more brilliantly signalize
its accession to power than the inaugu-
ration of a successful plan for securing
this great need and incalculable bene-
fit to our city and State, Of railroad
communication with the rich and grow
! ing empire which Is to the west and
| northwest of us. and which Is now
drained for the enrichment Of the great
rival cities and communities OF the
| North.
FOSTER OF OHIO.
| Foster, of Ohio, the member OF Con-
gress representing tho district in which