The Central Transit—Magnificent Enterprise for Texas and Mexico [pp. 184-195]

THE CENTRAL TRANSIT.
rise in marketable value; but with it they would rival the astounding results realized in the new States of the northwest. An amount
of capital, very small in comparison with the total cost of the work,
judiciously invested in these lands, would form a basis of loans sufficient to build the road, and, when sold, probably leave a surplus,
without trenching upon the bonus of the State. The skilful and
faithful use of a small capital, then, may give the stockholders a railroad from Aransas bay to the Rio Grande, about one hundred and
fifty-five miles, not only free of cost, but even with a bonus beyond
its cost, while the road itself would pay well for its working should
it perchance never cross that river. The immense trade and travel
that would be drawn from Mexico to its terminus on the Rio Grande,
together with the salt, lumber, and coal business, would give ample
profits, were the progress of the grand transit arrested at that national boundary.
But the railway will not be arrested at the border of Mexico. It
is probable that grants of lands, as valuable as those in Texas, may
be obtained from the states of the republic of Mexico in which the
route lies. It is certain that many large proprietors will gladly
make donations of large tracts of lands conditioned upon the building of the road. Capital might also be employed, as in Texas, in
purchasing lands at~low prices before the location of the road. Extensive and intrinsically valuable estates along the route, are on sale
at very low rates, owing to their remoteness from market and to the
unsettled condition of public affairs. The building of the road will
remedy both these evils. Lands for cultivation alone will be greatly
enhanced in price. But many of these lands contain rich metallic
veins, whose almost inappreciable value will be developed by the
road. Such are the natural resources of this genial and fertile, but
now misused country, that capital, well applied, may produce results far beyond those ordinarily realized. Much of this capital
might be obtained from residents of the country. The wealth of
that people has been accumulated in tile hands of a few families, who
have concealed it at home or invested it abroad. Could this work
gain their confidence, it would command the use of a large portion
of their hoarded wealth.
Fifteen millions of dollars has been named as the sum that might
be expended in the completion of this transit. With means at comnmand, a skilful manager would be able to have the cars run through
from ocean to ocean, by the use of a capital paid up, probably not
exceeding three millions, and it would be bad management that
would require from stockholders as much as five millions of dollars.
So small a sum would soon be provided for such a purpose if captalists were satisfied that the fiacts are as here given. It is hoped
that a full and complete survey, by our government, will soon give
the requisite assurance.
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