| From the Charleston Mercury |
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| November 27, 1862 |
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| Mr. Editor |
| |
| Sir, |
| In the report of the proceeding of
Council, as published in your paper of yesterday, I notice that Alderman
Gilliland, while discussing the question of a supply of wood for our
citizens, during the approaching winter, has fallen into several grave
errors with respect to this Company, which I now propose to correct. |
| That several of its employees have been in
the habit of purchasing wood is unquestionably true -- of this I was not
aware -- but, so long as it did not interfere with their duties, and
had, in the past, rather benefitted the community and the business of
the road, there seemed to be no impropriety in its continuance. However,
for reasons it is now unnecessary to discuss, this practice was several
weeks since prohibited. The allegation that they controlled the
direction of the trains upon the road, and enjoyed facilities of
transportation to the exclusion of others, is incorrect, as the
appointment of our trains for this special service is under my own daily
supervision and that of our Superintendent. |
| As regards the statement that our
Superintendent was a speculator in wood, permit me to say that I have
his own assurance that he has never made a dollar by any such
operations. The purchase of wood by the Company, to be exchanged for
salt, for the use of its hands, may have led to this misapprehension. |
| I unite in the regret that the facilities
of this Company for bringing into the city, at this time, an adequate
supply of wood for our citizens, should be unequal to that result. It is
only necessary to add that, under existing disadvantages, they would be
taxed to their highest point to accomplish, reliably, what was
asserted to Council as their capacity in connection with other necessary
operations of the Company. |
| I know not what shape the action of
Council may ultimately assume in the premises; but foreseeing the
scarcity of wood for the consumption of the city, I had arranged with a
special agent for the purchase and sale of one hundred cords weekly to
citizens only, at about $8 per cord, and in quantities not
exceeding one cord. The fulfillment of this arrangement has only been
delayed by the non-delivery of the wood upon the line of the road. |
| A. F. Ravenel |
| President of Northeastern R. R. |
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