The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-04-10


The following resolutions regarding
the building of the Gulf, Louisiana and
Northern railroad were introduced and
adopted:
Whereas, tho Gulf. Louisiana and
Northern railroad compan, are preparing
to build and operate line of railroad ex-
tending from Vermillion Bay, in South
Louisiana, northward by Alexandria
through Grant and other parishes to a
point in Minnesota, and,
Whereas said railroad will greatly in
crease the value of property, develop the
resources of the country, give employ
ment to labor and attract capital, afford
rapid transportation to produce raised
for the market and cheaper the freights
both upon exports, and aid our parish
and schools financially by taxes and val,
ues, and place our people in closer con-
tact with the progressive world at large.
therefore, lie it
Resolved, That we extend said railroad
and its company hearty welcome aud
will ever labor to deal with justice and
liberality In all matters between said
road and this parish, and we further urge
our citizens to he as liberal with said
company as their financial condition will
permit and to give their hearty and Wig
orous support to said railroad.
We regret that the conditions that now
exist in this parish are such as to prevent
our extending to said company better
financial aid but assure them that should
the opportunity arrive and the circum-
stances permit we will gladly do all in
our power to aid them. We feel that it
is needless to call the attention of said
company to the immense area of fertile
valley lands in active cultivation and the
beautiful forests of long leaf pine and
other valuable timber that they will pass
through in traversing this section Of the
State.
Also the following resolution regarding
the drouth sufferers of our parish:
Whereas, the effects of the prolonged
drouth during last year which covered a
period dating from April 18th to about
September LIST in Grant parish, during
which time no rain fell over an area CON-
and the crops Of all kinds in said area
suffered almost total failure. and
Whereas, as a result thereof very
large number of our citizens in SAID
drouth area we're left penniless and des-
titute in mid-winter, which condition
was pitiable in the extreme, and no
source of relief possible from the parish
finances; and whereas in this extremity
our citizens appealed to the State for aid
and received in response thereto about
5000 bushels of free corn, and 40 BUSH
els of seed corn, and the further privi-
lege of purchasing cheap corn at Is cents
per bushel; and whereas they appealed
to the good citizens New Orleans and
South Louisiana, and in response thereto
received about 500 barrels of meal and
-four, about 5000 pounds OF meat, and
about 20 barrels Of molasses, beside clo-
thing and cloth in good quantity, which
we are glad to report was judiciously
distributed to those who needed same,
affording immediate and wholesome re-
lief; therefore be it
Resolved, That we feel grateful to the
State and her officials, and to the citi-
zens of New Orleans and South Louisi-
ana for their generosity and timely
charity, and return hearty thanks in the
name of our people for the same.
We sympa.hize deeply with the citi-
zens who are now overhowed in the Mis-
sissippi valley, and hope that our farm
ers Of the South will prepare for such
unfortunate visitations by accumulatlng
sufficient food and team food for year
in advance. Again thanking all those
who by word or deed aided our unfortu-
nate fellow-citizens in their destitute
condition. We especially thank the press
eff the State
The treasurer handed in his report.
which is as follows: