| From the Thomasville, Ga. Southern
Express |
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| December 4, 1861 |
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| The Coal Question Again |
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Why have not the President and Directors of the several
railroad companies, whose roads terminate at this place, had a meeting
before this time and regulated the shipping tariff on coal, so as to
enable the citizens of lower Georgia, South Carolina, and South
Alabama to procure their supplies from the rich and undeveloped mines
in East Tennessee? Is it not singular that these men should manifest
so little interest in the welfare of a cause and Government which they
profess to love so dearly? We are informed that the Directors of the
Mississippi Central Road have made a move in the right direction, and
reduced the freight on coal nearly fifty per cent; but one road alone
can do little in this matter, unaided by the cooperation of others.
Why has not a single step been taken by the managers of the Georgia
State Road? {Western & Atlantic RR} We
are credibly informed that the citizens of Savannah, Augusta, Macon
and other cities in lower Georgia, are absolutely taking out their
grates, and preparing to burn wood, because they find it impossible to
procure coal. Now there is coal enough within twenty-five miles of
Chattanooga to supply the whole of Georgia, South Carolina and
Florida, for years to come, and yet owing to the inordinate greed and
short-sighted policy of our railway companies, Pennsylvania will have
to furnish these States with coal again so soon as the war is over. Is
Gov. Brown willing to assist in bringing about this state of affairs
in the gallant Empire State? Then let him instruct the Superintendent
of the State Road to lower the tariff on coal, so as to induce
capitalists to open our immense coal fields in this country and lay
the foundation for a complete independence of Yankeedom. What sense is
there undergoing the privations of our present war for independence,
when, so soon as peace is made, we shall have to become tributary to
the North, in making it the market for our prime necessities of life,
and that too, when we have all those necessaries in great abundance in
our midst? Surely, it does seem to us, that if these railroad men are
not at hear allies of the Lincoln Government, they will do
something to prevent such a State of affairs.
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Chattanooga Gazette
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