| From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph |
| |
| February 13, 1861 |
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| For the Telegraph |
| Western & Atlantic Rail Road |
| Mr. Clisby -- In these
exciting times about the affairs of the country, allow me to call the
attention of the public, more especially the planting interests of
Georgia, (and may I hope also that of Governor Brown and Doctor
Lewis,) to the recent change of freight on Corn, Bacon, Flour and
other provisions coming over the above road. It is understood that
within a few days past rates of freight have been advanced by Dr.
Lewis about 25 per cent! |
| It is particularly
unfortunate, -- may I not say unjust, to those ("and their
name is legion,") who are compelled by the unprecedented short
crops of grain in Georgia, the past year, to buy so largely of Corn
and Meat, that they should have this extra task levied on them now
that money as well as provisions so scarce; and the planting and
laboring classes so little prepared for it. It is virtually an extra
tax levied on that class of our people, and I think, and believe they
will, wholly unnecessarily -- or they must pay it, whether they
purchase direct from the northwest or through their mercantile
friends; and if ever there was a time when freight should be kept at
the lowest possible rates, it is now. |
| I cannot but think that upon a
calm review of the matter, and upon proper representations to Gov.
Brown, he will direct former rates to be continued, if indeed he does
not have them reduced lower than they were. Surely the people
of Georgia, who are the owners of the State Road, have some right to
ask it. -- They are the consumers, and must be the sufferers.
What if a reduction of freight should lessen the income of the Road
temporarily? -- Would it not be conferring a great benefit upon many
of the suffering people of the State? But I do not believe, were the
rates reduced 25 per cent, instead of being raised to that
extent, that the income of the Road would be less than for same period
last year. We know that a vastly larger amount of grain and provisions
will be needed and must be brought from the northwest this year than
last; and were the freight less, the income would be greater in all
probability by the increased quantity that must be brought over the
road; and that so far as the income of the road depends upon these
articles of produce, it would be larger. That is too plain to admit of
doubt. |
| There are some views connected
with this advanced rate of freight, I desire to bring to the attention
of Gov. Brown and Dr. Lewis. |
| If I remember rightly a
reduction of freight was urged during the session of the last
legislature, and it was answered by Gov. Brown or Dr. Lewis -- if they
reduced the freight on the State Road, other roads would advance, and
no benefit would accrue to the consumer. I have not the papers before
me, but such is my recollection as well as that of others. The result
was, no reduction was made -- on the contrary, and no doubt to the
astonishment of the public, the rates are increased some 25 per cent.
-- And what is equally surprising, I learn from what I regard as
reliable authority, that Dr. Lewis has advised the Tennessee roads to
advance their freights. This information I derive from a letter now
before me, written by a gentleman of position and standing, connected
with one or more of the Tennessee Roads. This seems strange, when the
idea obtained in Milledgeville during the session of the legislature,
and to which I have referred that certainly no advance of
freight on this road was contemplated. The scarcity of both provisions
and money, and every consideration of humanity, it seems to me, should
have prompted a different course. |
| I learn, too, from a source I
cannot doubt, that the Nashville & C. Rail Road were influenced to
some extent, in advancing their rates recently, by Dr. Lewis refusing
to settle balances due that road, in Northern Exchange, or in funds at
par beyond Nashville -- said balances latterly being against our State
Road; but that at former periods, when balances were owing by the N.
& C. road, they were paid to a considerable extent, if not all, in
Northern Exchange at par, but that now, when "the boot is
on the other leg," Dr. Lewis refuses to reciprocate. That the N.
& C. Rail Road should ask in payment of said balances, Northern
Exchange, or funds at par in Kentucky and Ohio, or to the extent of
the freights they have to pay the roads in those States, is not
unreasonable. |
| I am aware this has been
denied recently in Milledgeville -- perhaps from a misapprehension of
facts. From the letter referred to above, and now before me, I learn
that in 1857, during the suspension of our Banks, (as now) Dr. Lewis
was paid perhaps on one occasion, $13,000 in Eastern Exchange, for
which a premium was paid by the N. and C. R. Road of nearly $400 (3 p.
c.) But were it otherwise, and were Dr. Lewis to settle said balances
now occurring against the State Road in Northern Exchange, surely it
was not necessary to have increased the rate of freight so much to
have paid it in Exchange -- a mere nominal advance of 3 to 5 per
cent., would more than have compensated for it, I presume -- and if
the income of the Road were lessened, the people who are now or likely
to be, the sufferers, would have been the beneficiaries -- and
especially may it be asked if it was right to put it on the articles
of prime necessity named? |
| It may be answered that it was
necessary to advance the freight on all kinds of Western products to
secure an ample income to the Road. -- In ordinary times when our
people were in a different situation, and better able to pay the
increased tax on them for provisions, it might be urged with more
propriety -- but now when every avocation and pursuit -- agricultural
and others, are affected by short crops, and as a natural result,
short ???, it surprise or disappoint the people of Georgia, if their
State Road suffered a similar result? Was a sharer of their
misfortunes? I think not. -- And however laudable it may be in Gov.
Brown, to have our great State work return a large income to the
State, the people will hardly think it wise or just at this time of
peculiar scarcity, to levy an extra tax upon the very necessities
of life. |
| I certainly do not wish to
detract one iota from his energetic and prudent management of this
work, but believe he has suffered his ambition to get the better of
his judgment this time; to lose sight of the wants and peculiar
situation of his fellow citizens -- at least of the large producing
class. |
| Another view of this matter
may be worthy of consideration. May not the high rates of freight now
being established, force Western products through a different channel,
now that so many routes are striving for supremacy? The writer of this
was in Louisville and Cincinnati last summer and knows it was a
question of consideration there, and was informed that through rates
via Baltimore to this State were discussed, and that the difference
was but trifling -- probably none to Augusta and really less to
Savannah -- and may not the income of our great State work be
hazarded by the increased rate of freight over the road, and thereby
force Western products by way of Baltimore for Middle and Eastern
Georgia, and for S. W. Georgia by way of New Orleans? Aside from the
peculiar claims of our people at this critical juncture in our State
for provisions, and their claims to have them at lowest possible
rates; and looking at the advanced rates wholly with reference to
income, it may be doubtful policy and worthy of thought and
consideration. It is by no means certain, without pursuing a liberal
policy as to freights, that we can continue to control the
transportation over our road from the great valley of the West. |
| It is but justice to the
worthy gentleman who presides over the Macon & Western R. Road,
and those connected with him in its management, though owned
exclusively by private individuals, to say that they have thus far
refused to raise the rate of freight upon their road. They deserve,
and will doubtless receive, the thanks and gratitude of their fellow
citizens; and surely if a private company, whose interest, the
President, Directors and Superintendent must be in duty bound first to
consult, can afford to continue freights as formerly, our State road
might and should do it, when required by its owners -- "we
the people." I certainly would not ask Gov. Brown to take a step
in this matter that would not be sanctioned by his fellow-citizens --
that they would unanimously, not only prefer no advance in
freights on articles of prime consumption, but really a reduction, at
least until another crop is made, cannot be doubted; and I trust this
appeal to him in their behalf may not be disregarded. That he would be
sustained in the course indicated I do not doubt, and that he may have
evidence of what that opinion is, may I ask the papers in
Milledgeville, Augusta, Savannah, Atlanta and Columbus, call public
attention to this matter. I certainly can have no other objection in
view than to benefit a vast number of our fellow-citizens who are
short of provisions and have little wherewith to buy. |
| B. |
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