The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-24
Gulf and Ship Island Railroad.

The matter Of q re-graut of lands 10
the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad being
still pending in Congress, and the al.
legged indifference Of the State Of MISS
sippi in complying with the terms Of the
grant having been suggested, the follow
ing from the message Of Governor Ne
Willie, in 1858, Is pertinent. The reas.
ons therein urged exist to-day, and
come with greater force each succeeding
year a. the State advances in the grand
march Of progress and development:
have thought 1t proper thus to call
your attention specially to the Gulf and
Ship Island Railroad-because from time
70 time, during the last eight years, the
Legislature has manifested disposition
o mature a project for connecting Ship
Island Harbor by railroad with those
parts Of our State which yield the great
'taple OF our commerce, and with her
magnificent timber region. The impor.
ance Of this connection is the more ap.
,arent now that the prospect OF the
arly completion of lines Of railroad IN
,rOgress through the State assures us
hat we will be enabled by that connec-
.iOn to avail ourselves Of the whole vast
abroad system of the United States in
eveloping the capacities Of the harbor
as q shipping point.
A capacaUus and securely sheltered
rhar aN la, m
Iepth Of water sufficient 10 float the
'eaviest tonnage employed in the com
nerce of the gulf.
The entrance TO it from the sea is free
rom obstacles and the approach to il
from the main land presents no dfticul.
ties which cannot be easely surmounted
. renuer this harbOr available, and
nus secure the commercial indepen.
lence of the State, is the duty Of her
government, and should be the pride OF
er citizens. II is measure Of vast
'ublic Importance; il not Of absolute
public necessity, and should command
ne serious attention Of those charged
Nth the administration of the State
government. 1t was doubtless proper
the outset 10 endeavor to enlist pri-
ate capital and individual enterprise
& auxiliary to the construction Of the
,ilrosd leading 10 the harbor; but when
It becomes manifest that the first great
top towards It's development making il
tle depot OF great thoroughfare 70!
commerce and travel must fail without
nrect aid from the State, it ia the plain
,uty Of her government, by some de
isive action, to give the assurance thai
he require ! aid will be granted.
The indications of public feeling il
regard To tue enterprise afford abundant
,ssurance that its Importance is properly
ppreciated, and 1t is apparent that q
Measure BY which the State shall recog
nize and adopt it, and by which Il pur
,use 10 carry 1t out shall be unequivo
lily evinced, will afford great grati6ca
ton to the people ut large. Such 4
lrasure would render the land,
which have been granted by the genera
GJvernmC Mt, n the line of the projected
abroad to aid It's construction, at once
vailable for that purpose by furnishing
he assurance upon which their value
depends, and it would incte private
,aptal. 1t would attract it TO the lin,
md the southern terminus of the roaC
md stimulate private enterprise to lay
he foul dat on OF city on the seaboarC
n anticipation of the completion Of this
road.