The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-02-06
The Projected RafIroad From the
Tennessee Lime 10 the sea
AHaoFe

shore.
A railroad to the Mississippi Gulf
shore, penetrating the heart of the State,
and connecting its northern and southern
extremities, and securing to Mississippi
an outlet to the sea for her own and the
productions of other regions, and accomp-
fishing her commercial independence,
has long been a desideratum of the peo
pie of the State. To this end surveys
have been made, and petitions to Con
gress for the donation of public lands
have been sent up. Twenty odd years
ago, when the trust funds were loaned to
the various projected railroads which
were then under way, it was expressly
provided that, a given time,
these funds were to be returned
to the Stste and applied to the one
great paramount scheme of road
through South Mississippi to the sea-
shore where several commodious harbors
at which the navies of nations may ride
in safety, are contiguous to the main
shore The war interfered with, and
postponed, the plan, but we trust did
not wholly defeat it. By the energy and
public spirit of Col. w. c. Falkner and
other projectors of the Ripley, Kentucky,
and Ship Island Road, beginning has
been made at the northern end of the
line. It has been in operation for several
years from the Tennessee line to Ripley,
and they contemplate pushing it south
ward to Pontotoc county at an early day.
We are gratifed that the members of
the Legislature along the whole line are
alive to the Importance of the enter
prise, and to learn by letter in the
Louisville Banner, from Hon. M. A.
Nets, the earnest and indefatigable
member from Winston, that they are
addressing themselves to ii with zeal and
determination. To this end, Senator
Foote has introduced a bill which we
presume will meet their concurrence and
receive their hearty and united support
We bespeak for this work the good will
and support of members from all parts
of the State, as a matter of State pride
and State progress. What Mississippi
most needs is commercial independence,
and this she will have when she utilises
her own undeveloped resources. She is
now paying enormous tribute to other
States and receiving nothing.
P. S.-After the above was written,
we noticed the introduction of a bill in
the House by Mr.. Metts of Winston,
to carry out the proposed en-
terprise. In addition to what is stated
in the foregoing, we would mention that
there are large quantities Of public lands
in South Mississippi contiguous to the
contemplated line of road, and it would
be we'll for the Legislature to
memorable Congress to donate them
for its construction, upon such condi-
tions as would secure their application to
the building of the road. In this con-
nection, to show what may be accom-
plished by the judcious application of
public lands for railroad purposes, we
will copy the following interesting his
tory in the construction of the Illinois
Central:
The Illinois Central railroad is a good
example of the effect of subsidies" Judi
ciously applied. An immense body of
lands lying alO3g the proposed route was
donated to that corporation upon condition
that the road, when constructed, should
pay over to the State per cent. of its
gross earnings from freight and passenger
traffic on the Illinois lines. The conditions
were accepted and this is now a perpetual
obligation on the road. The strip of land
extended like an immense Y through the
State from Cairo to Dunleith and from
Centralia to Chicago. 1t served a basis
of credit and on that basis the Company
negotiated its bonds and com pleted it's great
lines. The lands were placed on the mar
ket, sold at low rates and immigration in
vited by liberal inducements. At the t ime
OF its construction. the road extended al
most its whole length through unsettled
prairies, but under the wise management of
the Company, a thrifty and industrious pop
latiOn gathered all along the line bringing
revenues to the State and business To- the
road. Prosperous towns grew up, business
was developed, and now this seven per cent.
of gross earnings constitutes a very large
share OF the revenue of the comm on wealth.
1t has been material factor in reducing
the debt of the State in few years from
$l1 100000 to 81 100000. The payment for
this tax in 1876 was 1866, 005 and the amount
for the current year will be much larger. 1t
is estimated that after the State debt is eX-
years, the annual revenue from the Illinois
Central Company will be sufficient to defray
the entire expenses of the State Govern
ment.