The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-05-18

yQOie streams WulCu now INTO Tie
Ouachita would be turned in a differ
emf direction. 1t is now time for
the points which intend to compete
for a share of this immense traffic TO
be actively at work. 1t is very sure
that our neighbor in Louisiana, the
lively little city Of Alexandria, feels
sure Of a portion Of this trade, and
it will be necessary for Vida|ia and
Natches to act with vigor and deter
mination If they wish to divide this
important trade with her.
With proper enterprise and energy
we feel certain that We can secure
for our own vicinity at least a share
CT the trade which now passes
through Red river to New Orleans,
and make several Hundred thousand
bales of cotton come to this point
for shipment to its final destination.
The construction of the Natchez,
Vidalia and Texas Railroad would
largely benefit both Natchez and AL
exandria, as we'll as all the country
through which it will pass. When
it is completed to Trinity, the june
ton of the three rivers, Ouachita,
Tensas and Little river, and the head
of Black river, We could easily make
rates which would insure the trans.
portation Of all the vast amount Of
cotton which is produced upon those
rivers and their i,1mcrous tributa-
ries, to the Mississippi river. The
Natchez route would have the advan
tage over that by way of Alexandria,
both as distance is regarded and in
the comparative clieapness of water
transportation over that by rail.
With ordinary prudence, the whole
of the cotton raised upon the fertile
banks Of the rivers we have men
toned, would most asspredly be
shipped from Trinity to Vidalia, by
rall, and thence by the river to New
Orleans.
When we consider that the cotton
trade OF the Ouachita alone supports
a fleet Of steamboats,, some Of which
arc almost as large as q lrst.class
Mississippi steamboat, we can easily
imagine the extent Of the traffic
which would necessarily pass ove1
this road. By far Ute most impor
tant cotton producing region of Lou
isiana would be tributary to THU
route, and when We add to this traf
&c that which would be brought tt
US from all the country from Vidili'
to Houston, Texas, and probabl!,
from Mexico and the Pacific slope
tho Importance Of such road viii
commend Itself to railroad me-
| everywhere.
Col. Hazlehurst, an experience
railroad man, addressing meetin
which was recently held in Alexau
3 dria ID the interest of this roat
3 made use of the following language
' ~ have been engaged in buildin
q railroads all my life, and in the oil
time we had some hard times. w
would, perhaps, build Ave miles at
time by subscription. The crops woul
g sometimes fail, aud then We woul
e have to sometimes wait or scratc
8 along as best we could, getting fro
= the farmers here q bushel Of mea
), thorc peck Of potatoes Or, perhaps.
y days work. Now this is all change
Z They don't build railroads that WI
J. anymore. They have got a pate
9 way now. They build then, wi
9 bonds. [Laughter.I In order to en-;
l. bic the parties in charge to hand
>. their bonds it is necessary that tn
}. should have the cordial support of Il
:, people and the press along ths line
;. the road
:, - Now if the bonds Of a railro'
d company anywhere id America a
8. Of sufficient value to build a roa
f. those of veil managed company I
ID the route proposed for the n, V. .
" road certainly should do 80. u
8. completion OF road which will
,e sure the cheap and speedy trsnspt
o. tatiou Of the crops of the north.we'
re eru cotton parishes Of Louisiana,
IN an enterprise which soooer or lat
is must be accomplished. and the CO.
@. pany which has now undertaken
he have :he opportunity Of invcsti
il their capital in road which will
ut one of the most profitable ia t
State. [Estchez { Miss. Demoet'