Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-30
Railroad BuiIding-The Interests of 81
vannah

Railroad Building-The Interests of Sa-
vannah.
Editor Morning Ne,cS: This is emphati-
cally an era of railroad building, and,
though capital may be timid, it is never
theless active and restless, and ever on
the lookout for good investments. | write
in the interests of no company, corpora
tiOn or body of men, and what sugges-
tions 1 may throw out are in the interest
Of Savannah as city, and Georgia as a
State That legislation which looks to the
protection of corporations or certain in
terests is class legislation, and generally,
in the end, benefits a few at the expense
of the many. Our present tariff laws are
unquestiOnably in the sole interest of
manufacturers. as against the great body
of consumers.
True and proper legislation dictates the
greatest good TO the greatest number,
without injustice to any, and looking at
the same time to progress and develop
ment. The question / submit to the citi-
zens of Savannah is: What will promote
the growth and progress of Savannah as
a city? Not what is to this or that corpora
TONS interest, but to our city as a city;
to the people at large in every calling and
condition of life. The answer is, in this
progressive and developing age and time
more railroad facilities to give additional
impetus to greater commercial facilities,
so that the producer, manufacturer and
exporter can have many markets, and
the yitaliZing influences of commerce per-
meate every department of industry, re-
CARELESS of any special or particular in
terests.
As to more railroad facilities, we need
new railroad to Tybee, and should have
| think self-evident. Savannah has now
population of little more than 10000, and
she is growing daily in commercial inn
pOrtance, and will continue to grow as
long as cotton, rice, lumber and naval
stores constitute important shipments.
We should have a shorter road to CO.
lumbus, and the one now contemplated
and incorporated is the very idea. We
should eat our breakfast IN Savannah and
an early supper in Columbus; that is
progress and development. Trade and
rapid transit calls for such road.
But, Mr.. Editor. the road that should be
built and that will do q great business, is
one from Savannah to Chattanooga, as
near an airline as possible. We should
eat our breakfast in savannah and our
supper in Chattanooga, and think nothing
of the trip. From Savannah to Chatta-
nOOga by way of Macon we have 433 miles
to run. but by the route / propose we
would have only about 30S, and in twelve
hours or a little less time the trip could
be made.
AS to the route, and let the reader look
at the map of Georgia as he reads. He
will see that road from Millen to Louis
vile, thence to Sparta, thence to Green's
borO, thence to Athens, and thence
an airline to Chattanooga, would
give nearly an airline all the way.
But by leaving Louisville to the left eight
or ten miles and going through Glascock,
Warren and Taliaferro, we would strike
Union Point ON the Georgia Road, and
thence to Athens, and an airline to Chat
tanOoga.
We must reach out for the shortest
line possible to reach Knoxville,
Cincinnati, Louisville and Chicago.
Rapid transit demands it, if we
wish to be the seaport for those great
Western cities. Such a road would
inaugurate direct trade with Europe with
in year. Athens is going to be within
few years very important commercial
point. When the Rabun Gap Roads finish
ed and other roads in contemplation, which
will give her every railroad facility she
needs. her commercial position will in
terest Savannah in no small degree.
Such a road! if built, would save four
hundred thousand or more miles in year,
four trains running daily. That is great
item in the wear and tear of travel, cars,
etc, besides rapid transportation. Time
is everything nowadays, for every mile
is saved that is possible, and the Western
cities will demand a more direct route to
Savannah and the ocean than by way of
Atlanta and Macon. Mark the, pre-
dictien. All that Savannah has to do is
to give encouragement to such an enter
prise, and throw no obstacles in the way
Whatsoever. 1t would be a first class pay
ing road. because it would run through
good and productive country all the way.
Georgia. with her $4,000 square miles
and 81, 0OO, 900 acres of land, will need one
or two thousand miles more of railroad to
properly develop her great and growing
resources. No corporations must or can
stand in the way of the development of
State or great commercial enterprises.
Savannah must be awake, and wide
awake, to everything that will advance
her interests. Apathy on her part would
be criminal, and Indifference deliberate
suicide. X. NJ. o.