Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-21

are-on completed lines, 1884, 26
bales, and on extensions now under
contract or being put under contract,
|532,170 bales; connecting lines, 200,
600 bales. Population is also elabo-
rately treated; fetal, l890-on com.
pleted lines, 1,49l 800. and on extern
sions, Sl6,27l; grand total, 2,307 SOL,
Values-Completed lines, $907, 38S,566;
extensions, $428, 929, $40; grand total,
81. 1886, ABS. These values are
based upon the addition of twenty
five per cent to the Census Report for
1870. Mr.. Hulburt thinks the true
estimate would largely exceed $1,000
100000. The following are his re,
markable statements as to the coal
and iron fields tributary to the system:
But | desire to call your special
attention to the mineral resources on
the line through the coal and iron
fields of Kentucky, Tennessee and
Alabama. These three States con-
tain nearly 10000 square miles Of coal.
The Erlanger system, with its line
from Cincinnati via Chattanooga to
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passes through
and parallels these coal fields. A few
short and unimportant side lines can
be made to cover this entire coal basin
Of 10000 square miles. Practically,
then, the resources in coal and iron
are unlimited. Both in quantity and
quality they are equal to all competi-
ton. They are availably located, and
in close proximity to the richest soils
known to man. The future wealth
they represent cannot be estimated in
figures. The future traffic, and that,
too, in the near future, that they will
furnish to this system, fixes It's value
far above that OF roads having simply
agricultural products from which to
derive their incomes.
After showing that the system prac
tically has a monopoly OF the vast
lumber trade Of the "Long-leaf pine
region" of Georgia. Alabama and
Mississippi, Mr.. Hulburt summarizes
as follows:
We find
l. That the port of Brunswick is
the best of all our South Atlantic
ports, and as such is the eastern South
Atlantic terminus of this great sys-
TEN.
2. That the Changer system from
the port Of Brunswick, via the Bruins
wick & Albany Railray, its extensions
and connection with the Texas Pacific
offers a line nearly 1000 miles shorter
across the continent than any other
trans continental line.
3. That being nearly 1900 miles the
shortest route across the continent
north Of the Gulf Of Mexico, il will
command the European tr%ans-eonti-
mental commerce with China, Japan
aud the East Indies.
4. That the line from Brunswick
via Albany, Montgomery, Selma and
Vicksburg to Shreveport, a eonnec
ton with the Texas Pacific, and the
Texas system of railways, passing cen
trally through the heart of the cot
ton belt, offers to that vast region the
shortest line to the Atlantic coast foi
cotton and other products destined fol
Northern and European markets.
3. That being the shortest route, the
saving in time. insurance and rates
makes it the cheapest route between
the producer and consumer.
6. That its numerous north and
south rail and river connections will
draw to it as the shortest route a large
traffic outside Of its own legitimate
business.
Z. That the commerce of the world
moves mainly east and west, north
and south and that, as the shortest
trans continental line it will draw to
it a larger amount OF traffic than its
longer trans-continental competitors.
s. That being the shortest and
cheapest route from the interior cot
ton States and the trans Mississippi
region, via Brunswick, TO Northern
and European markets, for cotton and
other exportable products, makes il
also the shortest and cheapest route
for the importation of the vast amount
ofsupplies required by the interior
cotton States.
o.. That by an extension from Selma
the very center Of the cotton belt, to
Memphis, near the northern limit 0
cotton production, and the extension
of the Alabama Great Southern" tC
New Orleans. the extreme southwest
ern portion ofthe cotton belt east olthC
Mississippi river, that this great cas-
and west trans-continental line viii
have three terminal points, covering
the cotton belt from its northern to III
southern limit, with the middle OF
central line crossing the Mississippi
river to a connection with the Texas
Pacific and the Pacific coast.
10. That about midway between
Brunswick and Shreveport this great
east and west line is crossed at right
angles by the north and south line
from Cincinnati via Chattanooga, (tht
railway center OF the upper eentra
cotton belt) and Meridian to New Or
leans, the cotton and sugar emporium
Of the lower Mississippi valley, form
ing the shortest possible rail line be
tween the central Ohio valley and thu
Gulf Of Mexico.
IL. That this great north and south
line, leaving the central Ohio valley
passing through the famous blue grasi
region Of Kentucky, enters the Goa
and iron fields Of Tennessee, touches
Chattanooga, traverses the coal anC
iron fields Of Alabama, covering ant
dividing near three hundred miles 0
a continuous field of these wealtl
creating elements-the longest un
broken coal line in the United States
II. That these two great lines
owned and controlled by the sam.
company and under one management
covers much the largest and mos
valuable Of the great portion Of th.
long leaf pine region Of the Unitet
States, thus giving them PRACTICAL.
a monopoly Of the traffic in timber
lumber and naval stores Of thi
region and the return trade.
ID. That estimating The total lengtl
Of the system at 1000 miles and th.
cotton receipts at only 1000 900 bale
per annum, we have as the result a
average traffic OF 1000 bales per mil
per annum.
Il. That estimating the population
at 2,307, 59l, we have an average popu
lation Of 1853 per mile.
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