Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1897-10-25

represented to their associates and
clients by Eddy Bros, and verified by
the expenditure OF thousands and
thousands Of dollars to demonstrate
that there existed along the proposed
route Of this line, u unequallcd
elsewhere In New Mexico In their
particular ~line,so far as yet discovered.
that were still without the cheap and
rapid transportation needed to render
them available and productive OF great
revenues. That this proposition has
been taken up and the money for II
furnished by sharp, shrewd business
mon, is the best and most convincing
testimony in It's favor, and having been
accepted means that 1t is worthy Of
merit and the entire confidence Of itf
accep,ors.
AS 10 the effect It will have on New
Mexico in general, there can exist nc
hesitation 10 asserting 1t will prove a
center OF attraction for financial eyes.
1t will be said that New Mexico is the
country for speculation, as 1t is prac-
ticaHy virgin territory, which is per-
tectly true, and the most fruitful field
open for legitimate investment 10 the
entire west; hence New Mexico will
become doubly enticipg.
THE OPTIo calls the attention Of Las
Vegas business men Of all classes 70
the imperative necessity, Q ap-
parent, Of taking full note OF these
doings in the south, and their effect on
local affairs. 1t is full time for us to
do something to revive interest in
matters outside of the Immediate rut
in which we have been travelling for
several years; to see II new trading
territory cannot be captured TO re.
place that lost by the building Of the
Denver g. Gulf, and Pecos Valley rail-
ways. Now the Ell Paso & Northeast
ern is added to the list Of robbers, and
more trade will be lost to us. II our
merchants are content to rest satisfied
with this additional deprivation OF
commercial area, well and good, but
we do not believe they will be SO blind
to their twn detrlment, o that the.
old spirit Of enterprise, natural to and
remarkable in them, has completely
died out. We believe the time has now
come for a strong push to be made and
strenuous work to be done to bring all
of the Taos valley trade to Las Vegas,
by means of railway communication.
This matter has been fully considered
here, but owing to reasons already
with reference to the timidity
Of capital, has not yet been accom-
plished, although such q railway would
prove a certain money maker.
Taos and vicinity send and receive
over the ''yard wide" railway running
from Santa Fe to Antonito, almost all
their immense exports and imports.
Thousands Of IONS are hauled on
wagons over billy and long roads to
elsew here. We can secure all that
and product to Las Vegas by
the necessary railway connec-
ions, and If they were efforded, all
he lost territory would at once be re-
placed by one far richer end more
xtenslye; one that would expand and
row to inconoelvable proportions I'M
er the magic influence OF rapid and
heap transportation facilities.
Such a line would only be a feeder
, the Santa Fe at this point, not 10
ny sense a competitor. Such a feeder
'ould necessarily increase very mater.
lily the revenues of the latter system.
would, also, bring mu!titudes OF
rangers to our midst who would in.
est IN property and spend money.
he Importance of Las Vegas as a dis
'ibuting point and commercial center
ould perforce be greatly enhanced,
nd the scheme is entirely feasible and
raclicable from the railroad builders
Iewpoint. As a paying proposition
lere can be no question about It, for
'e immense amount Of freight that
ould be gathered in all along the line {
sufi cien1, visible and tangible
.oof OF all that.
There is no short line proposition ID b
ew Mexico to-day that can equal a
from Las Vegas, via Mora, to
aos.
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