Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-04-02

unhsppy About tho Branch Road.


The Inauguration of the work on
the Baton Rouge branch of the N. O.
Pacific Railroad, has raised quite s
tempest among our peace-loving
friends in West Baton Rouge.
Some way or other the idea spread
itself that the little branch road that
is to afford regular and quick trans
portion to their Capital, to the people
Of Louisiana, would bring great ruin
and desolation to the planters through
whose lands the line Is to pass.
The cane is to beuprooted, the back
levees are to be opened, the drainage
stopped and God only knows what
other harm is to befall the luckless
planters who have been condemned
to be run over by a railroad.
Last Sunday week, when we visit
cd BIuly Landing, simply to ask the
people to give Baton Rouge a chance
to get ita first railroad, we were hon
ored by being looked upon as jay
Gould's financial representative. SO
hot was our reception, that we were
left to enjoy the belief that the good
people across the river didn't want
the railroad to come through ut all.
On last Saturday, by invitation of
Mr.. D. G. Montan, we attended a meet
ing at his office, over which Judge
Robeatson presided, and Mr.. G. Cazes,
acted rs Secretary.
Some one having remarked that
Baton Rouge had undertaken to give
to tho railroad the lands of It's neigh
bors, over the river, we explained to
the satisfaction Of those present that
our citizens had merely agreed to ash
that the right of way be given, in or
der thatour city might be allowed to
have connection with the \. o. Pa
cifc. We had been met with an OPP
position based on reasons which could
not be entertained in the year of our
Lord 1881,
Thoreupon, Mr.. Laws, a large land
owner, ard alsoa prominent merchant
of Cincinnati, stated that the planters
had no desire to ObstruCt the con-
struction of the line, provided it was
/ located either in the rear or the front
of the plantations, so that their drain
| age system would not be interfered
with. He was very emphatic in de-
cIaring that the line which had been
selected by the Surveyor would cause
irretrlevable injury.
The following resolutions were
then adopted:
Ata meeting of owners of property
through which it is proposed to run the
limo OF tho Baton Rouge branch of the
New Orlcans Pacific, held at Port Allen,
March 26, 1881. Judge VIM. d. Robert.
sou was called to the chair, and Gandin
Cazos appointed Secretary.
Aftor due consultation tho following
was adopted as expressing the views OF
those present.
! Whereas, The line adopted is one that
causes injury to every property upor
which it IL located and as there is nc
cause why said line should not run fur
ther to the rear, and as our object is moi
to place any obstacle in TIE way Of ~
enterprise, which although of no value
to Us, is deemed an object of Importance
to MANY in Baton Rouge. BE it
| Resolved, That if said line is located
70 as to do our property tho least posi-
bic injury, by being placed at create
distance from the river, written obliga
tons given and recorded to retain ant
keep open orr present canals, ditche
and waterways, to in future grant sucl
widening and increase of same as may b.
positively necessary, to build the ap
proach Of each main plantation road OF
both sides Of tho ombankmont, and t.
take all the Garth cxcavated TO max
said embankment in such manner as t.
leave regular bitches or canals along th
grade, instead of holes and steps that W
do not believe any further opposition
will be made.
Resolved. That in the event Of rcf,lsa
to accedo to our just demands in thi
. matter that we bind ourselves to cxhaus
all legal efforts to prevent any excava
, ton on orr lands for the purpose of bui
ding said branch.
Resolved, That n committee Of thre
be appointed to conier with the author
. ties Of the New Orleans Pacific Compan
s and assure them that although in II
. way Interested in the success Of sal
!. branch road, that we are not Obstruc
c ionists in any sense aud with their a
= sent to the proposed change of line an
r. tho nbove inst and reasonable condition