The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-20
Ship Island Railroad

debate on the bill 10 except the lands
granted TO aid in the construction Of the
ship Island Railroad from the general
bill FORGETTING all such grants, it will be
seen that one great objection to such
course oar representation had TO over
come was that they could give no salts
factory assurance that the State would
contribute to the building Of the road
nor that it would "be constructed in the
mex: few years"
Mr.. Van Eaton said:
And, Mr.. Chairman, IL is fair land, fair
as any tho sun shines on, from the initial
point Of the proposed route all the way 70
its terminus, gently sloping TO the Southern
Sea, holding vast possibilities OF wealth In
timber, in lumber, in field and herd, waiting
only the magic contact Of capital, skill and
energy TO develop all these and return four
fold any benefactions bestowed upon 1t.
II may be possible that in long range
Of years this road may be built without the
aid Of any grant; but stand here TO say
thatif there ever was a section OF country,
Il there ever was portion of q State, If
here ever was State, to which it was
right TO vote aid by land grant, this is
such n case. Take the map and, look a
this section OF county. Trace Il down
from the center Of the State through al
This region OF pine forest, far from market
far from any outlet, far from any chance Of
development, and you must see what {
)enefcence would be grant Of this land
Shat vast benefit this railroad would be
Mr.. Blanchard. will tho gentleman
from Mississippi permit me question:
Mr.. Van Eaton. II can answer it, will
do 40.
MIR. Blanchard II the land grant in be.
half OF which the gentleman hhs been
'peaking should be excepted out of the
operation of the forfeiture provided for in
this bill, what assurances can the gentle
nan give the House that this road from
Brandon to the Gulf will be constructed in
he next few yearsf
Mr.. Van Eaton. This assurance, that
capitalists have been looking up that sec
ton OF country, have been examining into
he condition Of this grant, with the view
II assisting the people of the State to build
his road il they could avail themselves of
the grant but they refused to touch the
Enterprise so long as the forfeiture hangs
over the grant More than that, these men
who have the means have given us assur-
,nce that they would build the road if they
,ould have the benefit of the grant.
If this assurance could have been
given there is little doubt but that the
exception would have been made. But
it is not too late to give it now. The
bill hangs fire in the Senate, and will
doubtless be defeated by that body. il
the State would take the matter in hand
and show a disposition to aid in the
building of the road. when the measure
comes up in the next Congress, there il
every reason to believe that favorable
action would be taken. If so, and the
grant was renewed, in less than three
years from this date, we would have q
road to the Gulf, bringing us in direct
communication with the West Indies
and South America and enabling us to
build by a trade with those countries
that would yield magnificent returns,
This has long been cherished project
with the people of Mississippi, and now
when the time is suspicious for its con
summation, we trust that the Legisla
ture may give the scheme such proper
support as may be needful to secure its
early and complete success.
We shall watch with interest the pro-
gress of any measure in this direction,
and will bespeak for it in advance the
favorable consideration of every son of
Mississippi who is solcitous for her
glory and property.