The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-03-14
A TIMELY SUGGESTION.


The competition for the trade west
Of the river, which has just resulted in
the merchants Of Monroe raising by
voluntary subscription sufficient
amount to maintain on what they be-
licve TO be permanent basis the ferry
ut this place, free, except on the Sab
bath, at night, to public carriers, &C.,
has suggested to tho writer the question
as to whether or not there exists in the
range of possibilities any feasible plan
by which the losses to tho merchants
of both places, following tho natural
competition existing between Monroe
and Trenton, could be obviatet with
out any sacrifice to either and which
could not by any possible means prove
inimical to the public interest. That
such II plan exists, and is not only
feasible but eminently practicable, we
boldly assert, and is one which in this
article wa propose merely to suggest,
leaving the question OF proof to the
consideration Of IL future article should
the assertion be denied.
Monroe, from her geographical posi-
ton, has many natural resources, all of
utilized, would increase her trade four
fold, and make her what nature has
designed she should he, u city, not
only in name, but in truth. To avail
herself OF these advantages would re-
quire very cnterprising spirit on the
part OF her merchants and Il liberal .,x-
penditure of money.
First among the measures alluded to
that would unquestionably conduce to
the commercial prosperity of Monroe
is the building of bridges above over
flow, and tho making of travel possible
ut all seasons over the road through
Lafourche swamp to Bnuf river. This
is one of the richest sections of our
country, and IN immense amount Of
cotton and other produce would find
its natural market here ii this city was
not, as it now is, in the winter season,
almost inaccessible to it. The same
will apply with equal force to the i'm
portance and existing distractions to
the trade of Oak Ridge and Gum
Swamp.
Again, to secure the larger portion
of the trade west of the river, much of
which has sought this market for the
past few years, it would only be neces-
sary for the merchants OF Trenton to
abandon the locality at which they are
to retain business that,
should they remain there, will event
ually slip from their grasp, establish
themselves in Monroe, assist her ner-
chants in developing the resources
enumerated, in building sub
'tantial bridge across the Ouachita
river, and the thing is done and all
interests harmonized. The
adoption of this last proposition would
DO the contamination of our plan.
Merchants of Trenton may stand
aghast ut this suggestion, but let them
think over 1t and look at it squarely,
not with II vision obscured with the
crotchets of fogyis,n, but in the light
of progressive age. The removal
would involve no sacrifice to them for
which they would not in time be most
fully compensated. With bridge
across the river, rendering their pres
ent places Of residence of easy access,
there could he little or no depreciation
III the value of them. The loss on
their storehouses and lots would be n
trifle compared to the ultimate gain to
them by the removal. BY this re-
movai, Trenton merchants could doubt
less retain the trade they now control
and share in the trade east OF the river,
which with the united capital and en-
terprisc of the merchants of both places
to develop the resources enumerated,
to establish u cotton compress, an oil
mill, iron foundry, &C., is susceptible
OF being increased to an almost in
credible extent. PROGRESS.
a celebrated min1-reader recently