Newport weekly independent., 1901-06-28
] NEWPORT, ARK, l JUNE 25, 1901.

JUNE 70, lSUI.
 Col. L. MINOR AND OTHERS OF THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE:
 The total amount of the subscrip- tions to raise the funds to procure the necessary right -of-way and terminals for the Morning Star Railway to this date is $655OOO. That amount is not sufficient. At the time the subscrip- tions were handed in, it was thought it would be enough but greater por- tion of the property needed for right of-way will have to be condemned through the courts and it will be ab solutely necessary to raise the bal ance of the $1O,O00 required. This amount will be ample for all purposes. I am aware of the efforts the com mittee have made to raise the whole amount and feel a delicacy in asking them to take up the matter again, but it is of such vital importance to the welfare of the city I am sure you will not hesitate nor mind the additional labor.
 I notice large number of our wealthiest citizens have not subscrib- ed anything and several others not in proportion to the amount of their in vestments here. l think this is due alone to the fact, they have had little confidence in the building of the road :, for among this number are persons who have always been the first to sub scribe to anything that would promote the general welfare of the town. In the past few weeks I think enough has developed to assure everybody that the gentlemen here in charge of the work mean business, and all of us have confidence that the road will be built and I think you will not have the same trouble confronting you when you again take up your work. No such opportunity will ever be pre- sented to us in the life of the city, it concerns every holder of real estate in the city, as we'll as everyone who has dollars worth of property here :; it means an increase of population, an increase of wealth; the road will have to spend several millions of money in the construction and if there was only the selfish motive to actuate us in raising this money, while so much money is being spent near us, every man, woman and child in our locality will get his or her share of it. There is not a store, lunch stand or business of any character that will not double and treble it's sales, surely out of this some profit should be made and the most of the subscriptions will begin to come in immediately and not remotely as it generally does.
 In proportion to the benefits that will accrue to us, the amount we have to raise is so little, it is hard to under stand why it has not been raised be- fore. If this money had to be paid tC the railroad, or they were asking { bonus of $1O,000 we could understand why some people would not want tC contribute, but when it is to be spen among our own citizens, and they are not asking for money but home, think in view of all these circum stances this money should be quickly forthcoming. It is of importance tt everyone and I hope when you asl you will not be refused. When wt realize that it will cost them nearly S2OO, 1000 to come into Newport and To- cate it's terminal we can see how very little we are contributing to this enc when all they ask for is ground fo, their tracks and terminal.
 I can say on the best of authorit. the road will be built, but as to wheth CT it will come to Newport that de bends upon our people. If we canno give them the right of way and ter minals as they have asked feel saf in saying the road will not cross Whit River.
 would suggest another meeting o the citizens be called and this matte presented to them and from my know ledge of their past iberality and tn