The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-02-27

exploded system which was born in sill
and brought forth in iniquity.
Some Facts About the Value O1
Railroads. and Prospective
Glimpse of the Possibilities of Iht
81. Es. 81 Ia. Railroad.
In previous number we gave a briet
history Of the Ship Island Railroad agi
tation in this State, and showed that il
has been regarded by our people and
rulers in the past as the pet railroad
scheme for Mississippi. We propose to-
day to advert briefly to the capacities
for development of the proposed Ship
Island, Ripley and Kentucky Railroad.
This is the Ship Island Railroad proper,
only extended and directly affecting the
whole length Of the State. For many
reasons it is superior route to that sur
veyed by Powhatan Robertson, and our
attachment for the present line springs
from no local interest or local pride. We
present it purely as a State scheme. The
line pierces the whole State from its
Northern to its Southern border, and
thereby brings its advantages to the lar
gest number of our people and makes it
truly and emphatically what it was al
ways intended to be, a State Road.
Georgia has her State road. New York
has her Erie, most Of the States have
railroads within their borders looking
mainly to State interests, and intended
to build up sea ports and inland cities
for their own individual enrichment and
glory. Why should not Mississippi
have road of her own, looking special
ly to her own development?
There are many sensible and patriotic
men in this State who regard the Ship
Island Railroad as a mere sentiment.
They can see nothing in it but the graft
fication of State pride. cit starts from
no where, and ends no where" say
they. 1t goes through a sterile and
sparsely settled country whose inhabi-
tants, they claim, are neither able nor
ambitious enough to encourage it. 1t is
clear, however, that intelligent men who
take this view have not maturely consid
cred the matter. They are wrong in
their premises, and, therefore, fall into
erroneous conclusions. They refuse to
look at examples before their own eyes
which refute their theory. The Missis-
sippi Central, and the Vicksburg &
Meridian Roads are living and conspicu-
Gus proofs of the falsity of this theory.
Before State takes hand in the
building of projected railroad or other
great internal improvement, there are
things to consider:
First. Is she able to do it?
Secondly. Will it pay?
Thirdly. What effect will it have in
the fortunes of her people,
and in increasing her own revenues?
The building of railroad is a cold
Dlooded matter of calculation. There is
10 sentiment" about it. If it cannot be
reasonably demonstrated that the work is
needed and would prove to be an i'm
orovement permanently advantageous to
he people, it would be wise to abandon
t at the start. IF it is shown that it
would be an Improbable investment, it
'ught not to be made. If the State is
lot able to build it, she should not I'M
lertake it.
First, then, as to the question of abil-
ty. By the grant of i've hundred thou
and acres of land in the State belonging
o the general Government, and the
ritual donation by the State of ner own
inaccessible and improbable lands, and
judicious lease of the Penitentiary to
PARTIES who would use the labor of the
onvicts upon this road, the whole diff
ulty would be nearly solved. There
Tould not be much else necessary for the
'tate or the counties along the road to
%. From five hundred to a thousand
zen turned upon this work, under skill
I'll and energetic management, such
$ the present lessees would be
BILE to infuse into it, would soon
omplete it. We think, therefore, there
an be no two opinions about the
biIity of the State to build the road if
be Penitentiary is utilized in this direc-
on; and with this view we earnestly
an extension of the lease of
he Penitentiary to Messrs. Hamilton &
Ioskins, VITA the main purpose of turn
lg large proportion of the muscle
over of the Penitentiary upon the Ship !
sland Road. Such an act would at
nee awaken confidence in the success of
he work, and with very slight addition
aid it could be pushed forward to G
'mpletion.
VIII it pay? Let us see. We mean \
7 this question to ask, will it pay the !;
tate and her people We dent pro- {
ose to inquire whether the company :
ho undertake the job will begin to (
alize fabulous dividends from its in !.
ption to the end Of time. We care 4
'thing about that They are able 10 d