| From the Charleston Mercury |
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| June 28, 1861 |
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| Our Postal Routes -- Reform Needed |
| The frequent complaints of
delay in delivering The Mercury, particularly on the route to
Richmond, has induced us to make some inquiry, and we find that at the
present time there are two chances to one that there will be one or
more misconnection on this great thoroughfare. On a recent trip, some
three weeks ago, a gentleman connected with this office left this city
at 2 p.m. reached Florence at 7 (the scheduled time), and remained
there waiting for the Wilmington train three hours. At 10 p.m. the
train passed Florence and proceeded to a point about eleven miles
distant, where there had been a break in the track; passengers were
requested to change cars, and all expected that an effort would be
made to reach Wilmington in time for the morning train to Weldon. The
train, for some reason, remained stationary until daylight, and no
cause assigned, as far as could be ascertained. Wilmington was reached
in time for the afternoon train North. At Weldon there was another
detention. Now it was true that the roads were engaged in transporting
troops, but surely this should have made it more incumbent on the
several companies to have avoided delays. The telegraph along their
several roads could have been used to inform them of the number of
passengers and the quantity of baggage, and every train should have
been anticipated by ample preparations. Many a volunteer was without
eating for twenty four hours or more, from the fact that he had
provided for a given time, and had a right to expect despatch by rail.
Of course the mails were two and a half to three days in transit,
instead of thirty hours, and subsequently The Charleston Mercury, of
Friday morning, did not reach Richmond until the following Tuesday
morning -- four days old. Add to such delays on the road the fact that
the Northern schedule has not been changed since the completion of the
Northeastern Railroad, and that The Mercury is delivered to
subscribers in Augusta, Ga. (135 miles away, by a slow road) before
the train for the north leaves the Depot in Charleston, and one will
at once see the disadvantage under which the press of Charleston
suffers. The Richmond papers reach us in thirty hours. Charleston
papers reach Richmond in from two and a half to four days. |
| We learn that the
superintendents of several southwestern roads have recently met in
Chattanooga to make up a new schedule. We hope that the importance of
giving Charleston a more rapid communication will be felt, and the
time saved by the Northeastern Railroad made of some use. We shall
possibly speak of this matter again. In the meantime, can our Georgia
friends give us a reason for the seven hours delay at Atlanta going to
and from the West? We earnestly request the attention of all parties
to this important matter. Reform is much needed. |
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