The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-03-30
RAILROADS As PUBLIC BENEFAC.
TORS.

We often hear complaints made of
The exactions Of railroads, as If they
were constructed exclusively for the
of the general public, and
to be managed according to the cap
rice of the moment, regardless of the
interests of stockholders. In some To-
calities complaints concentrate into
hostility which is not confined to wor-
dy abuse. The railroad is voted a
nuisance and the managers denounced
as robbers. It has become so fashion.
able to assume an antagonistic attitude
that any man who attempts a defense
is considered public enemy. Never.
theless we propose to submit few
propositions for general considerations:
l. No railroad ever was, nor ever
will be built that did not improve the
general prosperity of the country
through which it passed. This is true
of all industries, agricultural, manu-
featuring, mechanical and professional.
2. The most extortionate charges
imposed by any railroad are much less
than the expense of transporting the
same production or merchandise by
any other other method except by wa
ter. In proof of this We cite the fact
that all wagon trains become demon
allied az soon as railroad is COM
pleted.
3. Railroads have direct interest in
the prosperity of the contiguous coun-
try. Whatever increases the wealth
of the people increases their revenues.
If they were the "grinding monopo-
lies" they are so often represented,
they would stand dii ectly in their own
light. As their managers are always
men of intelligence, experience and
respectability, it is fair to suppose that
they are not blind to their best in
terests.
4. Railroads are, always have been
and always will be, promoters of in
telligence and civilization. They bring
each station in direct communication
with the outside world, and thus each
one becomes a center of intelligence
which radiates in every direction. A
railroad village has churches and
schools. The people read. Their
children are educated and refined
Ignorance sinks away into obscure
corners.
S. The wealth of a country through
which a railroad runs is increased in
spite of the hostility of it's inhabitants.
Real estate is increased in value, live
stock finds remunerative demand, all
agricultural productions command
higher prices than before, manufacto-
ries become possibility, commercial
enterprises are surer to be successful
and money is more equally distributed
among the masses.
This subject could be continued in
definitely, but this must for the pres
emit suffice. We counsel forbearance
and conciliation on the part of our
railroad corporations and urge upon
the people just appreciation of the
great advantages afforded them. The
fact is patent that wherever railroads
gridiron section of country that sec
ton is more prosperous than less ia
vored ones. Many a road 10 operated
for years at loss to stockholders, yet
go great is it's inherent CT eative power
, that, sooner or later, it becomes profit.
able; for during all this transition sea.
son the country around it is enjoying
advantages never before possessed and
which are probably grossly under-es-
timated--perhaps never fully appre-
clated.
We rarely ever knew a railroad man
agement that did not consider it ia.
vor to listen to and heed any just
cause of complaint when presented ii
spirit Of justice and cancellations
Railroad men know perfectly we'll that
their business comes from the public
and they use every honorable endeav
or to subserve the interest Of theil
patrons.
In this connection it is proper Il
suggest that passenger rates be mad,
so low that the masses can afford K
travel. 1t has been repeatedly de-
: monstrated that low fares increa'
travel without increasing expense.
!, passenger coach can be run per mil,
when loaded with the same expense Al
when empty. Ten coaches can b,
hauled by the engine that takes on
but one. People travel for pleasur,
when cheap rates are offered, but whel
high tariffs obtain only business or ne
cessity induces them to do so. w,
respectfully submit that two cents pei
mile fare will put more money in til,
purse than four.-[Planter's Journal
You wish to invest your little casl