The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-05-26
TIE RAILROAD MASS MEETING
ALEXANDRIA, La. J
Nav 22, SO. {

road, projected road from Fort Smith,
Ark, through the Parishes of Clai.
borne, Bienville, Winn, Grant and Ra-
pides to Alexandria, Judge w. +.
Blackman was called to the chair. and
Mr.. L. II. Mccormick, of the Torn
1ath, and Mr.. H. l.. Biossat, aof the
DEMOCRAT, were appointed Secreta-
rles of the meeting.
Judge Blackman introduced Prof
Calhoun, who said in substance that
he was born in the same Parish as
Judge Blackman, and that his father
and the elder Blackman had advoca-
ted in years past. the present enter
prise which he, the speaker, was now
championing; the people of this State
had waited long enough in the matter
of building railroads; the speaker in
dulged in a most glowing description
OF the country which the pro-
jected road would traverse, and spoke
of its many advantages. The people
Of Claiborne and Bienville Parishes,
said he, have organized themselves
concerning this project according to
law, and have conferred with Major
Beardsley, railroad builder, who had
contracted to build the road. His eA-
planation of the tax to be levied in the
different Parishes along the route, five
mills for ten years, was clear and lucid
throughout. He said that his Parish,
claiborne, would vote the tax, and
that Major Beardsley would bnild the
road. The speaker said his people
were counting Alexandria for more rea-
sons than one, and wanted crumb OF
comfort. They were anxious to know
how Alexanarians regarded this enter
prise and just what the people of the
Town would do in its aid. The bene-
fits accruing to our people, said the
Professor, would he five times over
what the tax would cost. Prof. CAL
houn spoke of the splendid timber
along the entire route, saying that the
road would be surrounded by a belt Of
timber unsurpassed by any country in
the world. OF the marble qnarrics in
VIM he spoke in the highest terms,
AS also the McEnery quarry in Rap
dies, and the iron fields of Claiborne
Webster and Bienville. He referred
10 letter he was in receipt Of from
Prof. Lawrence Johnson, the United
States Geologist, who had visited
North Louisiana few months ago ex-
mineral deposits, and who at
he present time was in Texas on a
similar exploration. Prof. johnson
wrote that the Texas ores were in
greater quantities than those of Lul-
siana hut in quality were not as sood.
Prof. Calhoun said in the near future
he country along the proposed route
would loom up and the people along
he line would DC tie ones benefited.
lie wanted the people Of Kapiacs to
'xtend helping baud to Claiborne
md Benviilc; he stated that his com
,anv were anxious to have Southern
cruinus, aud Alexandria had been Sc
rc'cd as the terminal point; the pco-
lie of Claiborne and North Louisiana,
aid Prof. Calhoun, are strictly in ear
rest about having this road built, and
hey ask of Alexandria and Pincville
,nly that assistance which they are
.blc to give. The Professors re.
marks were plain throughout aud show
d that he was engaged in a gigantic
enterprise in the interest of Louisian-
ans In closing lie requested some Of
he local orators to follow him and
i've the sentiments Of their people.
At the request of Prof. Calhoun
yupt. James G. White addressed the
meeting, speaking as follows: He
carcely knew what to say of this en-
erprise; he conld vouch for Mr.. CAL
ouu's character and the statement he
ad Just made, and endorsed every
,ord of it; he thought he voiced the
entimepts of Rapides and her people,
tho are as much alive to their interests
S any other people in the State; they
e knew wonld favor this railroad pro-
ect; because our people we're poor was
o reason why they should be despon-
ent; chin music would not build
abroad, action was necessary; he could
ay to Professor Calhoun, and to
is people, that we would vote the
We mill tax asked for, which was
,ere bagatelle, and do it cheerfully
nd willingly; the representative peo-
lie of the Parish would help and that,
20, to their utmost capacity; the bene-
is to be derived from the building of
be Louisiana North and South Rail-
Dad were without end; give us road
, Arkansas and you will find that ev-
ry spot along its route will become
hickly populated and prosperous; our
taste lands were vast in extent, for
he reason that we have no railroads;
i've US railroads and capitalists and
,urists will come among US, and then
nr country will bloom and blossom
Ike the rose. III closing the speaker
ssured Prof. Calhoun that our people
ere heart and soul in accord with this
Il local railroad, which he
,garded this one, was of in calculahle
eneft; he spoke of the great benefits
erived from railroads running in a
'orth and South direction; he referred
S an instance to the Great Jackson