The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-11-04
AN IMPORTANT RAILROAD AFFAIR.

4 IT. la ascertained from q reliable source
that tho gauge OF the Chicago, st. Louie
and New Orleans, Familiarity known aa
the jackson railroad. Is about to be mar
rowed, 80 as to correspond with that OF all
the principal railways north of the Ohio river.
Our Southern roads are ia nearly, Ii not all
casea- running On the old five foot gauge,
| while the Northern roads are almost invaria-
| bly, OF the four foot eight and a-half inch
| gauge. The consequence Is that through
| freights from New York, or Chicago, or
st. Louis. can only reach here by break
ing bulk or by changing trucks at
points along tho Ohio or Potomac,
and this fact adds largely to the expense,
both IN time and money, OF traffic OF that
class. We believe II safe to say that this diff
| Terence Of gauge between Northern and
Southern wards operates IN expense Of from
$40 to Sis car In money, counting the loss
OF from twelve to twenty-four hours In delay
In all cases. Herein we find one of the causes
OF the excessive cost or freight transporta-
ton between the sections and In overcoming
this difficulty we shall secure the benefits Of
rapid and cheap communication. Business
men will realize at o glance that the jackson
railway management, In undertaking this
enterprise, are striking brave and telling
blow, not only for their own SUCCESS, but for
the advantage OF the whole country tributary
to their line. The accomplishment Of the
purpose they have In view will lend an meal
culable impulse to our traffic with the North,
and will add correspondingly to our local
prosperity. This road Is especially and pecu-
liarly Interested In building up New Orleans,
and upon whose growth and grandeur we are
bound to thrive. In all that extends and
solidiiies the Jackson road we are sure to
share; Ia all that tends 70 aggrandize and de-
velop New Orleans that road will infalibly
find Its profit.
And this brings us to question which,
though 1t has been temporarily ignored, has
never for moment absented itself from our
thoughts or lost Its place In our estimation
the question OF the New Orleans Pacific Rail
way. There was prospect some months
ago TINT the owners Of the Jackson or Illinois
Central road would take hold of that enter
prise and either purchase 1t outright or
acquire sufficient Interest In 1t to Insure It's
prompt completion.
We had hoped that this scheme would be |
for not only is 1t indIspens- |
able that we should have a Texas connection |
by the way Of Shreveport and Marshall. but |
1t Is OF the most Imperative Importance that |
the control be In the hands of men or corpo- /
rations whose interests harmonize with ours.
Should this Now Orleans Pacific fall into any
other ownership Into that OF the
Iron Mountain Company, for instance
1t would amount to q calamity for
New Orleans and for Louisiana. Indeed.
1t Is our duty rs well as our dearest interest to
through our neglect or misfortune, 1t should,
The result would be an irreparable injury.
The Illinois Central Company is manifestly
The one to interfere In this matter IL interior
ence Of any description be unavoidable That
has no interest which will not be
by the prosperity Of New Orleans
10 scheme of development or ambition of
greatness which will not receive It's largest
mpulse from our progress. 1t has de-
nonstrated In the most conspicuous
manner that 1t realizes these conditions,
md thus. while commanding our sympathy
through tho relations existing between us
md 1t, has claimed our respect and confidence
~ It's hearty and potent recognition OF the
att. 1t Is certain that New Orleans must al
Ways rejoice In the growth and future OF the
ackson road-certain that we must regard
IS welfare as In a large measure our own and
axe living and ardent interest in all Its pro
ects and achievements.