The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-10-03

We8ltn OF 1t0 resources. 1t ab0undS
with bayous, rivers and creeks of great
length which, during the winter and
rainy seeson, aaGt paletial steamers,
49, during the summer are unnaviga-
BILE, and make 1t necessary to haul long
distances, or purchase supplies for q
year at q time when prices are high.
1t has been justly said that ssthe wand
Of Ithuriel could not effect such WON
derful transformations, "a would be
produced by the construction of rail-
road over this magnificent extent of
country"
The length OF the gap may seem to
he an overwhelming obstacle to parties
along the line-that 1t will require
more means than can be secured and
that patience, If not time, will be ex-
hausted before we see the last nail
driven. The facilities for building
railroads have been greatly improved
and sImpllfed, and three times as
much Is accomplished now as was done
twenty years ago. The poverty of the
country Is the most serious question to
be met. But few people along the
route will DO able to contribute money.
The same drawback, but not to SO
great an extent, existed formerly and
was satisfactorily disposed OF by an
offer to accept surplus lands as contri-
buttons. Three-fourths of the lands
are unproductive to their owners, but
they could be made available to the
road In paying off its laborers, thereby
starting and securing immigration at
once and In large bodies-a thing al
most as much needed now ar the road
itself. The portion reserved by the
landed proprietor would be enhanced
more than ten times its present value.
The revenues of the road would con-
stantly increase after the first ten miles
are completed. The reasonable cost
of material now, the low price of labor,
the general discomfort in the Eastern
States, and the great desire for some
thing new and more inviting make
the time and the opportunity exceed
ingly suspicious for permanent settlers
and for progress in public improve
ments.
Heretofore the State, parochial and
municipal authorities have been liberal
and of immense service to such enter
pfises In their subscriptions, but under
the new Constitution they will be pro-
hibited from extending any aid. So,
the construction of the road will de-
pend upon ourselves in so far as Louis
lana Is concerned. We cannot under
stand that the depression can be any
harder upon US, however, than it is
upon Texas, Alabama, Georgia and
mississippi. They are making WON
derful strides In all kinds of improve.
ments, and are thereby apparently
growing richer and more powerful.
The population Of Texas has increased
nearly two-fold in the last decade, aud
her general wealth is beyond all pres.
est estimate, mainly from the causes
indicated. Railroads cut the face o.
her map like the radii of a circle, ant
the Iron Horse will soon supply tn,
place of every road wagon in tn,
State.
To induce capital to invest, or labo
to locate In our State, we must utiliz,
our resources as far as possible as al
earnest of our faith In the capacit,
and energy of the country to produc,
and maintain the great works of oul
redemption. AS we are to be the chic
gamers by any change in our condition
for the better we should not hesitate t.
approve any plan or to promote any
industry calculated to bring about SC
desirable result.
The filling up of the gap between
Pine Bluff and Alexandria would make
New Orleans accessible to us in eight
hours, and st. Louis in twelve. Freights
would be from 25 to so per cent less