NP, MT 2/13/1861

From the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
 
February 13, 1861
 
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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