The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1878-01-09

a southern Railway Route 10 the
Pacific.

Editors of the CJsrion:
The Texas and Pacific Railway bill and |
the Mississippi Levee bill are creating more
interest in Congress than any other matters
thus far introduced.
One bill has been introduced by Mr..
House, of Tennessee, providing for the sew
eral branches; another has been introduced
by MIR. A. III. STEPHENS simply forsthe main
trunk TO be built from Fort Worth, Texas,
to San Diego, on the Pacific Coast, on the
32nd parallel line, and to be extended from
Its present terminus, east Marsball). to the
eastern bank OF the Mississippi river. said
river to be crossed by boats or bridge IS
may be deemed most expedient The point
where it shall touch the Mississippi river
shall be determined by a Commission Of
Engineers and persons WHOLLY disinteres-
ted, TO be appointed by the President. As
various localities are interested in the ter
minus of the road on the Mississippi
river, it was deemed best to reconcile them
by leaving the eastern terminus to be thus
determined. The chief contest will be be-
tween Memphis and Vicksourg. Should it
touch at either of these places there is no
doubt that a branch will be imm ediately
built to accommodate parties interested IS
both points.
The Stephens bill really has no subsidy in
it. 1t simply provides for security on the part
of the Government for the interest on the
bonds of the road at a rate of 5 per cent, or
In the aggregate. at the outside, of about
$2,000,000 per annum. nss
Considering the Government account for
transportation of troops, supplies and mail
service, and munitions of war for the Forts.
that will go to the credit of this interest ac-
count, amounting fully to one million, two
hundred thousand dollars, there will be but
small balance left to be adjusted. Then
consider, if you please, the amount now paid
by the Government for the purposes above
mentioned, (being over two millions,) and
then the protection of the Western border
by speedy relief, if necessary, to protect life
and property of our citizens. The Govern
ment is really the beneficiary, in point Of
dollars and cents, rather than the road.
Again. What is the security offered to
the U. s. Government for this indorse-1ent
for the payment of her interest? Mark
you, there is no security for the principal.
1t is the entire road-bed rolling stock, OF
road over 1900 miles long, and in addition
thereto, about 20 millions acres of land
granted by the United States, through New
Mexico, California, Arizona, and on the
Eastern terminus, besides over 100000 OF
| is this for security?
| Then consider the fact, that the alternate
sections OF land, (after the survey by the
| road) belong to the Government are at
least quintupled in value, indeed, tenfeld
| increased, to say nothing of the adjacent
country thus opened up which is now in
| accessible.
| Who then is the beneficiary, the Texas
and Pacific Road or the Government?
With all the bills before Congress for this
road, the Mississippi levees and all other
purposes, still the South will not have re-
ceived over one fourth of the amount OF
public favors and grants, that the North
has already secured and enjoyed, Statistics
if not too long, could be adduced. i 3.
The SD parallel is the natural route tG
the Pacific Coast, and is free from obstruc-
J.
miles nearer to the junction of the two
oceans. ~ ,e a.E te ss.s.
| Then it touches countless multitude Of
network of Southern roads, touching on
| Southern Atlantic ports. 5arsg .3sai does
| With the jetties-already a success, the
Mississippi levees, and a'thirty-second par
allel road, from SanDego, we shall have an
inland sea, from Memphis to the ocean
where vessels will land, discharge and re-
load with products from the Pacific coast
saving thousands of miles of sea travel, and
still greater reduction in the time. sls
In short we may sum up the argument in
this manner: $50 sl
1. 1t is grand National project, devoid
Of party or sectional prejudice.
| 2. 1t is a competing road with the Union
Pacific, thereby regulating and cheapening
rates.
| 3. One road is insufficient for the demands
of travel and freight from coast to coast.
A. 1t is free from obstructions of ice and
snow.
5. 1t is due to the South to tap our South
| ern ports, as the Union Pacific touches the
| North and West.
6. 1t opens an immense territory OF great
| mineral and agricultural wealth, now
scarcely penetrab1e, which lies hundreds OF
| miles from the Union and Pacific Road.
On each of these propositions pages might
| be written.
THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC. al
A bill has been introduced i'm the Interest
| of the Union Pacific, which has for its nom
de plume, the Southern Pacific. say nom
de plume, for it twill never be built. Its
only effect will be to destroy the prospects
ofthe Texas and Pacific in the Interests of the
Union Pacific.
That bill was introduced by Mr.. Money
of Mississippi. 1 will simply say it created
much surprise among his Southern ascot
ataa in CONGRESS. That hill elooe -. -