The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1881-04-09
AssOUTRAHLROADs.
[st. Lonis Railway Register. /

On the Pacific coast this wear there
has been great lack of sufficient ocean
vessels to move the vast wheat crop OF
that section. Ships have been char
tered months ahead, and rates have be-
come so high that the wheat growers
have been unable to sell their grain
except at a loss. The time is anxioHsly
looked forward to when new compel
ing lines shall be opened to California,
so that the railroads can help move
the crop. The barge line on the Mis-
sissippi is apt to assist somewhat IN
the solution of the problem of cheap
transportation, for negotiations are
pending for the carrying of several
thousand car loads OF Galifornia wheat
from St. Louis 10 New Orleans, the
grain to be brought here by the New
Southern route. When competing
lines are in operation, it is likely that
there will be a great share of the wheat
crop of California brought to this
market, for although much of it will
90 directly 10 New Orleans by way of
the Texas and Pacific, and still more
be sent down the Rio Grande river,
there will be left all immense amount
to come to this point for tfansporta-
tion by the barge line. The effects
will be marked, not only here, but par
ticulariy in the Pacific Coast States.
The wheat growers will be enabled to
count on a certain market at profitable
prices, and the whole country will be
benefited thereby. The next few years
wilI sec revelation in the grain car
lying trade which will result in ST.
Loiis becoming the great market of
the wo'Il.
HOW TO MAKE A STATE POoE.
When Jay Gould told the governor
aud legislature of Arkansas that their
laws, and some proposed enactments,
had tendency to drive capital away
from irState, they were wise enough
to listen and heed the admonition. One
of the laws prevented any road in an
other State extending its line into
Arkansas without obtaining a separate
charter in that State. The effect Of
this was to prevent the Iron Mountain
from constructing its proposed branch
es, and the Texas and ST. Louis from
building its line on through the State
to point opposite Cairo. The present
legislature has repealed this injurious
law, and 10y SO doing has invited the
investment Of capital within its limits.
All bills introduced which had a ten
dency TO annoy or hamper the rail
roads of the State have been rejected,
and the people of Arkansas have,
through their representatives, said that
they wish TO develop their resources,
and to increase the number Of their
railroads. Now both the Iron Noun
tain, Texas and st. Louis, and other
companies, can go on and build roads
that will bring in immigration and
build up the State. The example is
one that can well be followed 10y
other States, and especially by Mis-
souri,. The barbarous policy pursued
by this State towards railroads must
be changed, and that right soon, or
the State will rctrograde instead Of
advance.
THE FUTURE OF TIE UNITED STATES.
The opening of the new Southern
route to San Francisco was marked hy
no ceremonies or Quotations, and yet
it was the end of efforts and struggles
greater than many which have come
down to us celebrated in history. The
work thus successfully finished shows
what private capital can do without
government aid, and without any
flourish Of trumpets. 1t betokens the
rapid, bewilderlng growth of the
Western country which thirty Years
ago great statesmen expected would
lie barren and unsettled for fifty
or hundred years. 1t is strong
proof that we are becoming more
and more a great nation, scat
tered over a vast country, widely
separated, yet essentially one people,
the same in sentiment, purpose and
work. The long lines of railroad bind
US together so closely that no liscords
can avail TO separate US, and in this
way one Of the problems that has
puzzled keen intellect is solved. Ma
tons have been DESTROYED because
their people, widely separated by
mountains and wildernesses, have be-
come divided in interests and aims.
Our nation cannot be disintegrated.
There is no longer any North, South,
East or West, but one land, one c0un-
Try, one people. And all this is owing
to railroads. AS soon as the people
at large are educated PIP to this knowl-
edge, there will be no hostility to
great railroad corporations, for it will
be seen that without them we would
have been far, far behind our present
advanced position. The new Pacific
ropte is the precursor of many others,
all combining TO make the nation
greater and stronger.
SUNDAY AND RAILROADS.
The superintendent of fthe Denver
and Rio Grande has set a good exam
pie in reference to Sunday work. tie
has ordered that all unnecessary labor
be dispensed with on the Sabbath, and
only snch employees be required 10
labor as are really needed in the prop
Or dispatch Of necessary trains. As if
resolved not to stop short in good
work, he has ordered also that no men
be elnnloVed either as station anents