| From the Sugar Planter {West Baton Rouge, La.} |
| |
| January 4, 1862 |
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| Baton Rouge, Grosse-Tete & Opelousas
Railroad |
| We have been favored by Col.
J. V. Duralde, the President of the Baton Rouge, Grosse-Tete &
Opelousas Railroad, with a copy of his annual report to the General
Assembly, from which we extract some interesting items. |
| The business of the road for
the year had slightly decreased, owing to the war, but had, under the
circumstances, exceeded the expectations of the Company. The receipts
were over $25,000, from which deduct the expenses, about $13,000, and
the remainder appears as the nett profits of the year. The President
has every assurance that but for the war, the receipts would have
reached $60,000 for the same period. In this he is sustained by the
other officers of the Company, and many citizens residing along the
route and at the different termini. |
| The liabilities of the road
are briefly summed up, and show a total of $95,856.05. To meet which,
the company hold assets to the amount of $274,691.89, which leaves a
balance in favor of the company of $178,835.84. |
| This statement shows a healthy
condition of affairs, and reflects the highest credit upon the able
management of the road. It would have been much better for
stockholders in other roads of the State, had similar economy and
management been displayed in their operations. Here we have a finished
road of near thirty miles in length, and yet it does not owe a dollar
that it cannot pay at maturity, besides leaving a heavy surplus of
assets on hand, to which may be added the road itself and the numerous
buildings belonging to the company. If a better showing can be made by
any road in the Confederate States, we have yet to learn of it. |
| The State is a stockholder in
the road, so far, to the amount of $70,000, which under a special act
of the Legislature, is a subscription of one-fourth of the sum total
paid in by other stockholders. The President in his report urges the
General Assembly to give the State's assistance towards its completion
to the Atchafalaya river. The late State Convention authorized the
Legislature to grant assistance to railroads at the rate of $6,000 per
mile where the road is cleared, graded and ready to receive the iron.
The last section, from Livonia to the Atchafalaya, is in that
condition. With the bonds of the State, which will amount to $72,000
more, the section can be finished, and which will terminate the labors
of the company. The iron necessary to complete the work is now in New
Orleans, and can be bought readily with the State bonds. Everything is
ready to continue operations on the last section, and but await the
action of the Legislature. |
| The completion of the road
will render it one of the most valuable in the South. Build at an
exceedingly cheap rate, it contrasts strongly with the cost of other
roads in the State. This road has been, and can be, worked cheaper
than any other road in the South. The employment of negroes to do all
severe labor, has proved successful in the highest degree, and that it
is cheaper and far superior to similar white labor, the results fully
shadow forth in the great success of the road. It is the determination
of the present management to persevere for the future in all the
economical rules laid down at the commencement of the work. With such
results before them, it is hardly possible that any change of
management would deviate from that policy. The road will be a paying
one, and that it will eventually prove an investment of the highest
lucrative character, no one acquainted with its prospects can
for a moment deny. At the Atchafalaya river, it will connect with the
Louisiana Central Stem Railroad, which terminates at Alexandria. A
road proving as profitable as this one is destined to be, will
scarcely stop at that point. The rich North-western portion of the
State offers too great an inducement. The upper counties of Texas
temptingly invite a rapid channel by which their produce can be
conveyed to a market. In this fast age man is not content with
plodding wearily along when a cheap and rapid conveyance invites him.
The navigation of Red River is fast becoming an annoyance to the hardy
settlers upon its banks. The expense attending the slow and uncertain
navigation of that river, is a heavy tax upon the property of
thousands; and it is by no means certain that navigation can be
continued many years longer. Old Red is fast losing caste with her
planters and farmers. Ruin is staring her towns in the face. Something
must be done to prevent a wide spread desolation which must attend the
fast decreasing travel upon that once beautiful stream. A remedy is at
hand -- a safe and sure remedy -- a remedy that cannot fail to produce
all they desire. With the "iron river" there are no
overflows, no shallow water with bars and snags, but all moves on
calmly and serene from one year to another. Push on your Central Stem
road with all possible despatch, and in a short time the "iron
river" will be bearing upon its bosom the rich productions of
your soil, which have hitherto found a slow, tedious and expensive way
to market. |
| One point in the final
completion of this work must commend itself to the attention of our
legislators. Aside from the profits likely to accrue to the State from
her subscriptions, is the great quantity of wild lands which will be
brought into cultivation. Along almost the entire route, lie some of
the richest and most fertile lands in Louisiana. Their isolation from
a market route, or the difficulty experienced in using it, has made
those lands comparatively worthless. The pioneer seldom purchased
because he saw no outlet by which his produce could be conveyed to a
place of sale. What will be the value of those lands when they are
traversed by a railroad is not difficult to estimate. How much the
State will be gainer by the enhanced value of her public lands lying
on or near the route, it is impossible to say. |
| With the worthy President of
the road, we solicit the State's assistance. It is not asking for more
than the Convention authorized. With the bonds the road can be
completed. |
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