The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27
THE RAILWAY WORLD.
A RAILROAD ENTHUSIAST HAS A
PLAN AND ALSO ADVICE,
The Bald Knob and Future Greatness OF
Arksnsas-Mr. 8. L. Finlsy's Sue
cessor-Lsts Acquisitions and More
to Follow-America's Advancement.

81 have an idea about railroad building,
which believe to DO excellent, and one
that would do away with money subscrip-
tons, but II will hardly be put into prac-
tice." Thus spoke Maj. J. p. Sykes to an
APPEAL reporter yesterday, and cordially
followed 1t up with an explanation: at is
based upon the system Of land gifts. For
example-say owned farm of 500 acres
in an interior county, remote from railroads
or other transportation facilities other than
the old reliable wagon. A corporation
projects a road through, or even within
five miles OF my land, and submits TO me
a proposition like this: you are away out
here, ont Of reach of development unless
conditions are changed, your land is COM
paratively worthless; we propose TO open
up the country and enhance values by
constructing railroad near your place.
We do not ask you for money, because
that is the hardest article for you TO get;
but give us 100 OF your 500 acres OF land,
as 30 much stock in the road Now,
hold that to be the best plan OF securing
assistance to these enterprises, and one
that the land-poor farmers should receive
WIN neiuty welcome.
where, then, does the donor OF land
get his RETURN"
''In this: The railroad company thus
owns one-ffth OF the land along and within
five miles OF its land. II can sell that land
on easy payments, promote immigration
and settle up the country, provide trans
portation for the farm products, and, in
short, rcvolutionize the territory. The
.l...l
gave 100. then finds himself great deal
better off in his 400 acres than in the orig
inal tract, with the chances largely in favor
of continued increase in values from year
To year"
THAT looks pretty enough at first sight.
What stands in the way Of its adoptionP
Farmers don't view il that way. Say.
for instance, | was TO build the road. 90
to the land owner, lay the plan before him,
and he says We'll, the road will be built
anyhow, whether / assist IN requested or
not and think I'd better keep all my
land | say 10 him: i don't think IL
will be built unless you subscribe bat he
is firmly impressed in the other direction.
and remains unmoved. Tho trouble is, he
wants the road. and badly, but also wants
TO keep everything he has and get all the
Il
don't blame him for watching his own
interests, but the truth is he is not doing
it,"
"You do not think, then, that the road
used Ms an illustration would be built
without the farmers'a ssistance. Do you
believe the Memphis, Oxford & Columbus
road will be constructed without the rails
ing Of $3.50, 600 at this end OF the line, as
asked by the projectorsY'
81 do not. And how short-sighted the
policy upon which rests the refusal. II |
were merchant, ] would lay the matter
before them in this way: Let ] 200 OF us
subscribe the amount, which viii be only
81 800 each, payable only after 100000
have been spent, and not within two
years The truth Of the matter In, that
800, 900 will be spent mostly in Memphis,
too, as those 30 whom il is paid will
come here TO puY -eyerylhing Al the
-AlD--fiesfppi counties through which the
road passes have subscribed the amounts
asked OF them, showing that they are
anxious for the railway connection with
Memphis. They want 10 send us their
farm products and buy their goods in this
market, but are unable 10 do so now.
When think OF this healthy impetus TO
our growth and prosperity, and the $780,
900 10 be put down right in our midst, il
amazes me that the $4,000 asked meets
with any opposition. II looks 10 me like
the business men would get together and
raise Il in less than two hours, even II the
charge that the stock il buys in the road
is worthless, be true. What did Cincin-
natl do, In one notable instancc2 Why,
she gave S2l 100000 for road TO Chatta-
nooga, and has never complained OF the
investment"