| From the Western Democrat (Charlotte,
N.C.) |
| |
| February 5, 1862 |
| |
| For the Western Democrat |
| Our Railroads |
| There has never been a period
when the utility of our Railroads has been more thoroughly vindicated
than during the last six months. As a part of a general system they have
been the stay of the country and the right arm of the Government in
maintaining its defence. The business on the main lines leading to the
capital and to the scenes of our chief military operation has increased
beyond calculation In addition to the legitimate freights, vast
quantities of domestic goods which came to us heretofore by sea and
rivers, upon a thousand ships and steamers, are thrown upon our inland
arteries of commerce. Wholly unprepared for such an avalanche of
freights, many of our roads have blocked up, until they cannot find room
to warehouse them, much less move them forward to meet the desires of
the public. Our roads are like our cotton and woolen mills and many
other establishments in the country -- without the capacity to supply
the almost unlimited demand for transportation. Their capacities were
only adapted to a condition of peace, when the coasting vessels
exchanged the flour of Virginia for the sugar of Louisiana, and when the
Government did not demand the transportation of large armies and vast
munitions of war. |
| If all the lines of railway in
the Confederacy were in the condition of uninterrupted communication,
their transportation could not equal the demands of the Government and
the country; and the growing demands are more than equal to increasing
capacities of the railroads. The products of the extremes of the
Confederacy must be exchanged while the war lasts to a greater degree
than when peace exists. The whole country must therefore have some
benefit from the only arteries of commerce left us, as well as mere
localities. The public should also exercise some patience and
forbearance under this extraordinary state of things and not expect too
much from officers who are laboring faithfully and doing twice the
amount of business that their roads ever did before. If with their
limited equipment, scant supplies and double business, a few accidents
should happen, it should not be considered criminal neglect of duty. Nor
is it reasonable to expect every person's freight to be transported in a
day or a month. The necessities of the Government must be supplies, and
the country as far as practicable. |
| It does however appear
reasonable that a joint arrangement might be made between the N. C. and
R. & G. roads {North Carolina and Raleigh & Gaston
RRs} to expedite the present system of through freights. Now,
while there are ample freights going both ways on both roads, why not
let all cars loaded for any single point or station, be exchanged at
Raleigh, instead of unloading the goods in the warehouse, creating
delay, loss and expense. Let a joint agent be employed to keep an
account of these cars and settle the account monthly, giving each road
credit at 3 cts. per mile for each car used on the other road; charge $3
per day for each day's unnecessary detention of each car. Require all
cars to be returned in as good condition as when received save their
ordinary wear and tear. |
| Both of these roads being
controlled in a great degree by the State, it would appear that such an
arrangement substantially could be made, and would promote their
interest and that of the public greatly, as well as relieve the local
business of Raleigh. This suggestion is submitted with much deference to
the respective Presidents and Boards of Directors of said companies. |
| Gaston |
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