The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1888-06-21
The SOLID SOUTH.
Railroad Construction on
Another Big Boom.
The $4,000 Miles Record Of
1887 is Threatened
With 1888.
Decatur to Have Two New Roads
and the Tennessee Opened by
Jan. LIST Next.
Rumors Of Great Things for Decatur
are Rife and Gordon and Bond
are on the War-Ps.th.
The Neucleus Of 40, 900 Population City
Already Laid and the Work Pro-
ceeding.

Luo Mills Uiil UcCOuluS law anu
has settled down squarely- to bust
ness. There is no complaint from
any quarter south and no fears ex-
pressed as to the effect of the posi-
BILE carrying of the presidents views
into legislation. The threats and
warnings have been ominous and
frequent that disaster would follow
an unqualified declaration of free
trade by the democrats, and now
that the democrats have declared
their policy and it has been analyz-
ed and carefully weighed, it is found
that it not only is not of free trade
tendency but an actual declaration
OF incidental protection. Whatever
politicians may say for effect, BUSH
ness men are satisfied and industrial
activity is unimpeded.
The Decatur Journal in great glee
announces the fact that by January
1st Decatur will have four railroads
completed. AS matter of fact,
Decatur now has all the railroad
competition necessary to insure
every advantage desired in respect
to freight rates, her two roads and
her river reaching almost every
point on the face of the map by
competitive routes.
We notice with astonished salts
faction a statement of railroad con-
struction for the first half of 1888
that could scarcely be credited but
for its authentic character. The
Manufacturers Record complies the
figures to show that from Jan. 1 to
June l there have been built 123
lines of road and a total mileage of
227l miles. The gratifying part of
it is that lilo miles Of it, almost
exactly half, were laid in the south.
Georgia leads the southern states
with 6 lines and 1875 miles; Alaba-
ma follows with s lines and LAG
miles, while Tennessee has 4 lines
and Ill miles. The indications
point to another wonderful record
of railroad construction. The year
1887 was the year of greatest con-
struction ever known, and yet the
first half of that year showed only
2351 miles. 1t has been noticed
that the first six months in any
year shows only about 20 per cent
of the final sum for the year, and
calculating upon that basis this
year will 60 over 10000 miles and
possibly 10000.
1t is announced also that the
Mussel Shoals will be opened by
Jan. 1, thus opening the upper Ten
nessee to commercial craft of the
world. Did the reader ever consid-
er this matter of deep river nayiga
tion in the light of an antidote to
railroad rapacity? A little tugboat
can carry more pig iron to st. Louis
than six railroad trains and at
cost so small that no comparison
can be made. Last year flour was
laid down on the wharf at Sheffield
from St. Louis at 10 cents per bar
rel. What is to be the effect upon
the up-river country, then, when
the shoals are opened and the big
steamers enter the field?
What Is to be the effect upon De.
| catur when she becomes the juno
ton of four competing trunk rail
| roads, all of them held down to the
very minimum of freight charges by
river competitions Doesn't it
look as if this IS the place to build
manufacturing establishments where
they can distribute their products
to all points CT the compass9 The
| men who have money to put into
manufacturing "see the point" De-
catur not only appears to be the
central point for distribution, con-
sidered merely with respect to
freight rates, but she is centrally
| located with respect TO the products
that enter into her manufactures
and with respect also to the people
who will consume them. We have
heretofore elaborated these points,
and we call attention to it now only
to show that events are rapidly
leading up to its consummation:-
| 1. e.: the roads are there and being
built, the river is about to be OPEN
| ed, the manufacturing establish
ments are there and being rapidly
| multiplied, the men, money, mate
rial and means are continually accu-
| mulating. until every day records q
step nearer the FINAL contamination
Of the inevitable purpose OF fate or
fortune to make Decatur the central
manufacturing metropolis of the
south.
Maj. Gordon and Judge Bond
are both now in New York and it is
an open secret that they are negotl-
ating for another monster mauutac-
turing plant that will rival the ooz
ems she already boasts. 1t is 6eliev-
ed also that the long talked of four
! acre hotel is to be snatched from the
| realm of speculation and set over
| into the column Of actualltles. "
means the spending of several hun
dred thousand dollars In the con-
| strnotion of one of the handsomest
end most councillors hotels IN the
F, south. When I. is considered tGaS
this magnificent structure IS 20 pe
| built On spot that was only e'sq-
teon -".hs ago nile rob no
Teen iDo. r-id the immeh-
where in q barren ur,~,
sity of Decatur's prospects appear
as mirage which is graouaiiy de-
yeloping into a reality.
The largest cotton mill IN Aiaoa,
ma is certainty with pay roll OF
between 500 and 700 operatives.
A rolling mill is assured with q
list of some 600 operatives.
The L. d N. shops are nearing
&C mpletion and will furnish work
to 800 worknen.
The Urbana car works pay rolf
will reach $12, 900 week.