| From the Shreveport {La.} Semi-Weekly News |
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| November 21, 1861 |
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| Our Railroad |
| Our oft repeated remarks a out
the cessation of labor on our portion of the Vicksburg, Shreveport
& Texas Railroad, and its neglect, etc., we had come to the
conclusion was to no effect, but we think that the labor the subject
received from our pen will result favorably. When we first came to
this city and examined the progress made on the Road, we were not a
little disappointed, but considerably disheartened. Instead of finding
a Road, well laid, and in the course to completion, as we had
expected, we discovered what appeared to us, the remains of a once
good road, for it bore nothing on its face of a road commenced, with
the intention of carrying out the design intended. Through the columns
of our paper, we directed attention to it; we advised as
urgently as possible, that some steps should be taken towards having
the Road extended to the Texas line This would add much to the
business and prosperity of Shreveport, in plain terms, it would be her
salvation, for something must be done to sustain the name she bears
abroad commercially. |
| The Police Jury of this parish
has taken the matter under advisement, for which the members deserve
much credit, thus showing that the interest of Caddo parish is well
looked after by them. The course to be pursed appears in the
proceedings of that body, at a meeting held on Monday, the 4th inst.,
and published in our last issue. |
| The people of this parish have
been humbugged long enough, and it behooves them to pry a little into
the affairs of this Road, and see how things have been going on, and
what has become of the money furnished by them for the building of it.
Instead of the money furnished by this parish, being appropriated to
this portion of the Road, which would be nothing more than right, it
has been used for the benefit of the Eastern portion, while we were
led to believe that that was all right. Our people might be taxed, and
appropriations made until eternity, and we doubt whether our portion
would ever be thought of. The longer this end of the Road is
neglected, lower sinks the city of Shreveport in the scale of
obscurity. Our foundation may be good, however, without careful
watching it may crumble and finally prove worthless. Without our
portion of the Road, running to the line, the fair prospects of this
place are blighted forever. |
| The citizens of Caddo having
done their share of contributing to no purpose, should now rally, and
with one accord take the matter into their own hands, and endeavor to
complete it as soon as practicable, or tear up what there is of the
track, and dispose of it. |
| No one need argue with us
about the "wagon trade," for there is no comparison between
it and the "steam horse," trade. |
| Wiseacres predicted the
downfall of Memphis when the Charleston Railroad was first spoken of,
but on the contrary, she has been made by it. New Orleans, likewise,
instead of being injured by the Jackson & G. N. R. R., has been
improved beyond the conception of any one. It was no easy task to get
the concurrence of the people on the subject; if finally succeeded,
and now they reap the benefit. So will it be with us should we
determine to complete the Road now fast going to destruction. |
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