Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-16
Railroad Extension in the South.

Railroad Extension in the South.
The southern states are waking up
to the fact that railroad batting is
two-edged sword, that great systems
of communication are essential to the
growth and development of any COM
munity, and that in the long run it is
the part of good judgment to deal in
spirit of fairness with the men who
furnish capital for railroad construc-
ton There is no part of the country
richer in resources than the South and
10 part of it is more in need of extern
sive railroad expansion, and yet the
people of that section are face to face
with the fact that capital has appar-
emily passed the South by in making
! it's plans for the future.
One of the principal railroad baiters
of the South was former Governor
Hoke Smith of Georgia. a state Won
derfully favored by nature and with
large resources only waiting the need
ed railroad expansion to become avail
able for Industrial exploitation. AS a
result of the policy persued by the
Smith administration, railroad building
in that state practically stopped and
the people awoke to the fact that, In
failing to treat capital in broad and
generous spirit, they had turned back
the march Of progress and delayed the
development of their state for many
years Immediately there was a reac-
ton The Atlanta Constitution, one of
the strongest newspapers of the South,
presented the case clearly and plainly
to the people of the state. Leading
citizens joined in the movement, de-
veloping the unfortunate spirit which
had held up the development of the
state, and urging the need of encour-
aging in every possible way the COM
ing in of the outside capital which was
necessary to it's continued growth, and
development, and prosperity. The re-
action was not only general but it was
emphatic. Governor Smith was de-
fcated for denomination IN the conven-
ton and Georgia elected as his success
or to the gubernatorial office gentler
man of sterling character who had the
confidence of his fellow citizens and
who had been for many yeras connec-
ted with large railroad interests. I'm
uuestionably the selection Of Governor
| Brown for tn, Office he row holds was
an attempt of the people of Georgia
| to repair, 50 far as possible, the mis-
chief which had been Gcne by the
Smith administration. 1t in effect said
to capital, DO not hesitate to come
| into our state ana engage in the great
work of developing its resources. We
guarantee YOU fair and generous treat
ment" 1t is not to be expected that
capital will be immediately treasured,
but certainly the people Of Georgia
have done what they could to repair
a grievous mistake.
| This experience of Georgia is re-
| called by a recent editorial in the
Houston Post which frankly urges the
need of vast railroad extension in the
state of Texas, stating that there are
still GO counties there without railrc ad
facilities, and vast areas Of virgin soil
that could be reduced to cultivation if
it were possible to get its products to
market. Continuing it says:
I'VE are not ready to admit that all
the railroad managers SAL about the
policy of the state toward the rail-
roads is true, but 1t is very likely that
they are right when they declare that
new construction will be necessarily
limited until some important changes
in the states policy have been brought
about.
We do believe that the people desire
to treat the roads with fairness and
generosity, expecting on the other
hand that the railroads will treat the
public Justly Under all the circum-
stances, it would not be out of place
for the broad minded people of the
state and those charged with the duty
of formulating public policy to look
carefully into the situation and see II
the low ebb of railroad construction
has been brought about through legis'
lative or administrative blunders. We
want the splendid progress of the state
to continue; we desire our vast domain
now unoccupied covered with thrift!
homes: we want our business and liz
dustrv to prosper, and railroad tui'din:
must accompany progress in thes'
lines.
What is the matter:''
We are strongly reminded by thu
foregoing editorial of those which APP
reared in the Atlanta Constitution pri
or to the defeat of Hoke Smith III nj