Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-26
Raton Rouge rs II Seaport


no very distant day become tormlda-
bic rival to New Orleans as ! seaport
will doubtless excite the mrth OF our
contemporaries of the Crescent CITY,
For the fun of the thing, however, we'll
draw a picture Of the Highland Mctrop-
oils of the future:
In the first place, an ocean steamer
can reach our town in nine or ten hours
after passing New Orleans, and find no
impcdmcnt in the way of sandbars or
any thing else at any stage OF water.
She can get as near the bank at Baton
Rouge as at New Orleans.
There is nothing to prevent grain clc-
vators and cotton congresses from being
erected here and on the most solid
ground imaginable.
Then the enormous wharfagcs cXactcd
at New Orleans can be reduced to a
mere fraction at this place.
1t must be borne in mind, too, that
every bale of cotton that is carried to
New Orleans via the Mississippi river,
has to pass Baton Rouge before it is
landed at the former place, where it is
rc-shippcd.
The fact is, that Baton Rouge, with
its wonderfully healthful site, ia situated
at the foot of the cotton belt.
Mobile, with an air line railway trav-
ersing the pine land region, thus avoid
ing the marshes Of the Rigclcts, could
strike the Mississippi river at Baton
Rouge, just 1870 miles above New Or
leans, and there receive the trclghts
borne by the Western bargcs and steam
crs. and connect also with the system Of
railways of Western Louisiana leading to
Texas and tho Red River valley.
Now we come to the splendid natural
advantages of Baton Rouge over New
Orleans While the latter city finds it i'm
possible to establish sure and perma-
ncnt system of drainage, which, if it is
ever effected at all, can only be done at
the cost of millions of dollars; Baton
Rouge built ON IN undulating plateau
that stands full twenty-five feet above
high water mark, needs nothing but
bitches to run off the water as fast as it
falls, while neither the Transportation
water ofthe Mississippi nor tho ovcrilows
of Lake POntchartrain can ever affect
her.
From Capitol Hill to Scott's Bluff,
above Baton Rouge, there is a stretch
of highland seven miles in length. With
narrow strip of lowland at it's feet,
scarcely ever under water, where ware
houses, cotton presses and elevators
could be constructed with ease and
made permanently safe from every con.
tingency. Capitalists could purchase
. the grounds at q nominal price almost
at present. Consequently, the charges
on shipping would amount to little OF
Z nothing. The men employed at the
4 work could reside on high, healthy
l ground, in as pretty q location as car
. be found anywhere. The same Goa
: bargcs that 90 to New Orleans coul'
!, stop here to supply the vessels.
1t is upon the stubborn facts that W.
, have inst stated, that we start what on
New Orleans ncighbors will term goo'
Joke. We arc ready to listen ut thei
i pcals of laughter.
Y The Joke will become something truI
serious, whenever large capitalists tax
r. a cool survey of the matter, when the
C will find that large balance OF dollar
is and cents, which they now pay out l
l. the way of charges to keep up cit
it that requires such immense sums
s. money annually to make it habitabl'
a would be saved by loading and unload
g. ing their bargcs, xAps, steamers an
Is steam ships at tho foot of the Highlan
n Metropolis of the future, where nomOnc
r is needed for lcvccs, canals, dykes, etc.
o. In order to give onr New Orleans con
al tcmporarics subject for discussion W
Is lust send them this nut to crack FOR
'c paStime.
GLOW many children have you, Geor.
N Washington" Said the enumerator,
4 - Il T,