The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-03-02
TOWNS AND RAILROADS.

l
The history of oil railroads Is that
while they build up towns they destroy
towns. 1t is hard fate that thus
compasses the destruction Of = prosper
GUS, well-established town, often entail
ing suffering aud woe, and while,
perhaps, it issometimes unavoidable It
should never be done when 1t IL posi-
bic to avoid it. 10 fact there should
be laws passed governing this very
matter. 1t can be easily seen how Ut
terly helpless towns are placed at the
mercy Of railroads. A railroad iius is
projected, q town is assessed for CON-
iribution and If it demurs, or II the as
sessment is too heavy to be paid, the
line IL changed leaving the town Oh
OF the road thereby Destroying 1t. This,
We say, demands legislative attention.
These thoughts are suggested by the
attitude Of the Houston, Central Ar
kansas and Northern Railroad towards
the town of Bastrop. 1t Is not def.
nlteIy settled bat there lie no certainty
that the road will 60 via Bastrop. II
It does not II is only question OF .
very short time before Basirop will be
g. dead town-utteriy destroyed. We
do not think this should be done II 1t
can possibly be avoided. Basttop is .
town Of probably 1000 or more inhabi-
tants; It Is . potut of considerable CON.
mercial Importance; 1t IL the parish
seat OF NIorehouse parish with several
valuable public buildings; 1t contains
ruapy costly and beautiful residences,
aud many substantial frame and brick
business housee; It has churches Of
nearly every denomination aud good
schools: In fact 1t is progressive,
prosperous and solid little city. Besides
this, Bastrop has done we'll t0wards
the railroads.. Her people desire rail-
rosd development, aud 40 proposed
line has been run through the parish
but what has received the substantial
encouragement Of her citizens. Taking
all these things into consideration, we
don't hesitate 10 say that 1t would
neither be right, just, or in keeping
with fair business dealinss, to sacrifice
this beautiful town by leaving II Oh
the line OF the Houston, Central Ar
kansas aud Northern Railroad. In the
first place Bastrop has raised, and is
willing 10 pay the amount asked of
her; la fact we have been informed
that her subscription has been ipcreas.
ed, and thar she Is willing to pay even
more than has been asked OF her. Be.
sides this. she proposes to give the
right Of way through Morenouse par
ish to Bastrop, and alt depot facilities.
She has left nothing undone to comply
with the original proposition, aud has
voluntarily Increased her burden. 1t
IL also fact, and strong equitable
argument In her favor, that Bastrop's
name and capital was used to close the
contract between the Ouachita Valley
Company and the Houston, Central
Arkansas and Northern Railroad Com
pany, whereby the Ouachita Valley
Company agreed 10 pay 10 the Hous-
ton, Central Arkansas aud Northern
Railroad Company the sum of s75, 900
upon the building of Its road to point
In Morehouse parish % miles north
east from Monroe, aud grading 1t y
like distance % miles south. This
contract enabled Maj. Bright TO secure
hackers to construct his road, and
without having used Basirop's name
aud capital to the amount of 1926, 900 In
the calculation, the contract could
never have been made, and perhaps
the Houston, Central Arkansas aud
Northern Railroad would have re-
manned railroad on paper only.
In view of these facts, is 1t right, is
it just, that Bastrop should he sscri-
feed: We Say no.
CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION.