The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-12-02

The cambridge Democrat of the 25th
ultimo contains ably written articles ad-
vocating the direct line down the Chatta-
hoochee valley to Tallahassee in prefer
ence to that via Albany, and demons.ra-
ting very conclusively that while the
former would carry business to Columbus
the latter would draw business from it.
We extract:
In the line through Bainbridge to Tallahassee,
Columbus has a line TO the Atlantic and to the
Gulf which she would absolutely control. The
line through Albany will build up the Plant
System and Savannah. The line through Balm
bridge and Tallahassee will build up Columbus.
Why? Take look at the map and follow the
Albany route, at which place you leave the ag-
rcultural region of the State and fly off upon the
barren wilderness comparatively speaking)
stretching away TO the Atlantic. The natural
result would be that the products of the itch
country lying between Albany and Columbus
would more than likely be tempted to GO to Sa-
vannah by low rates of freight over That long
stretch OF Plants road, which, far. depends for
its revenue timber and naval stores. Now
look al the map on the Bainbridge route and you
see the whole way located in the rich valley of
the ChattahoOchee -Lumpkin, Cuthbert, Blake
", COlquitt Bainbrlge, Talahassee-the finest
agricultural scope OF country in the South. MIDI
die Florida, the richest and brightest part OF the
State would trade with Columbus The whole
valley of the Chattahos'chee, in Georgia, would
send its products to Columbus. In fact, this line
would be the jugular vein OF our great manu-
featuring city. This Is the natural direction OF
this road 1t would be the best locally patron
lied road IN the State, and would develOpe the
country quicker than any other Tor the rea-
son that The country is easier developed.
1t would be a sad day for Columbus when this
great artery of her trade is turned IN the direc-
ton of Albany, for it would be ut the expense OF
her life blood But Gunby Jordan is at the
helm, and mnnows cannot divert his course.
Says another article:
Another Railroad from Columbus to Albany
would lie in competition with The Central all the
way to Atlantic tide waller at any point on the
Georgia coast, and would prove hazardous 10
vesiment-an investment against one of the old
est and sOii,lcst corporations in the 5 ,u'h A
| line, however, down the Chaitahon chc, valley
to tide water on The Gulf, and on The Atlantic
| coast in Florida, would not Oe aud would de-
velope the very best undeveloped agricultural and
| timber sections 10 the United States-a section
too that a good class Of thrifty people would be
keen to settle and develOpe, as soon as the road
| was assured. The route here indicated, from
| Tallahassee, would lead down the Gulf coast to
| st. Marks, Tampa and Charlotte HarbOr-gvng
the line three fine ports ON the Gull, and ready
| outlet at Fernandina over the F. r. s. N. ON the
| Atlantic. From Tallahassee south it would de-
| velope the best section of Florida for hundred
| miles or two-a section equally as desirable and
fertile as the eastern coast, drained by the 81.
Johns river and the Florida Southern Railroad.
Connecting this line at Birmingham with the
| Kansas City line, now being built, the road
would become, at once the Grand Trunk Line
between the great Northwest and the tropics ;
and be a paying enterprise from the start.
The people along the route are really and
willing to meet all reasonable demands upon
them 10 secure this road, and only awata knowl-
"short on ready cash, they have lands as fine
AS q crow ever few over, and millions of the
finest timber of every kind, brave hearts and
strong arms, to do for any enterprise that
promises them succor from the tolls of the mo.
nopoles in whose embrace they have struggled