The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1878-02-19

but with a view of turning her en-
tire stock to the Ship Island. This was
and has been her paramount scheme from
the start Gov. Melville urged the
Legislature TO levy tax to aid in the
completion of the roads already inaugu-
rated in order that we might "raise the
money necessary for the construction of
the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad"
"Thus preparing the MEANS says he
of building up within our own Dor
ders, great sea port on as
healthy locality as is to be found in the
world, thereby giving it an appreciable
advantage over any other port of all the
South" "Such city, he continues,
would fully develope the agricultural
and commercial power of the State 1t
would fix and retain our present wealth
and population, and would invite addi-
tional population, labor and capital from
other States Of the Union-giving to-our
State almost boundless wealth." From
this message of Governor Melville, we
quote entire the following paragraphs:
Z" have thought it proper thus to call
your attention specially To the Gulf and
Ship Island acknowledgements from time to
time, during the last eight years. the Legis-
lature has manifested disposition to ma
ture project for connecting Ship Island
Harbor by railroad with those parts Of our
;oh 81 thn L.
commerc and with her magnificent tim
Der region. The Importance of this cOnnec-
ton is the more apparent now that the
prospect of the early com pletiOn of the lines
OF railroads in progress through the State,
assures us that we will be able by that con-
nection to avail ourselves of the whole vast
railroad system of the United States in de-
velOping the capacity of the harbOr as
shipping point.
"A capaclOuS and securely sheltered har-
Dor exists on our sea coast, having depth
of water sufficient to float the heaviest tom
mage employed in the commerce of the Gulf.
The entrance to it from the sea is free from
obstacles, and the approach To it from the
main land presents no difficulties which
cannot be easily surmounted. To render
this harbor available and thus insure the
commercial independence of the State, is the
duty of her Government, and should be the
pride of her citizens. 1t is measure of vast
public Importance. if not of absolute pub
lie necessity, and should command the
serious attention of those charged with the
administration OF the State Government
1t was doubtless proper at the outset to en-
deavor to enlist private and individual en-
terpriSe, as auxiliary to the construction OF
the railroad leading to the harbor but when
it becomes manifest that the first great,step
toward its development, makirg iL the
depot for great thoroughtare for COM
merce and travel, must fail without direct
aid from the State, it is the plain duty of
her Government. by some decisive action.
to give the assurance that the required aid
will be granted
Thus we see the high estimate placed
upon this grand State enterprise, by
those who have gone before us and who
have given the subject thought and
thorough investigation. In the develop
ment Of the railroad system of the State,
embracing the Mobile and Ohio, the
New Orleans, Jackson and Great North
ern, the Mississippi Central, the South
ern, now the Vicksburg and Meridian
Railroad, the Mississippi and Tennessee
and the Memphis and Charleston, the
Gulf and Ship Island Railroad always
occupied the post of honor and of
prime consideration. The compilation
of these lines adds to its i'm
portance and feasibility. Indeed it
seems to be demanded to complete the
railroad system necessary to the full de-
velopment of our great resources.
Shall we abandon this pet scheme of
our State? Not if We are still animated
by the spirit of enterprise and State
pride Not if we would open the road
to mine of wealth now inaccessible
Not if we consider the wants of the pop
ulation upon large belt running through
the center of our State. We have our
whole eastern and western borders traced
out with splendid lines of railway. We are
girded together by an iron band from
the east to the west. All we need now
to give all our people the benefits and
conveniences of railroads, is line run
ming through the center of the State,
and terminating at the harbor upon our
sea-coast. The Ship Island, Ripley and
Kentucky railroad is intended to supply
this need. A bill is now before the Leg
islature providing for Charter and aid
| for this road.
Can the road be built, and how? We
ontand that If oan apd with WOW, l;+tIo
burden to the State. There are now
over one thousand convicts in the Penis
Tertiary, with the prospect of constant
increase. The State has leased out these
convicts to private individuals, and the
Penitentiary has been thus made source
of revenue to the State instead of a con-