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Report of the Joint Committee {of the
Legislature of the State of Georgia} on
Transportation |
| April 11, 1863 |
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The joint committee of the Senate and House of
Representatives {of the State of Georgia} on
Transportation, have had under consideration the matters referred to
them by the General Assembly. We most sincerely concur with his
Excellency the Governor of the State, in the important suggestions he
so eloquently and feelingly presents in his message on this subject.
The question of transportation is one of painful interest when
considered with reference to the supply of bread, meat, salt and other
necessaries to the people of the needy sections of Georgia; but its
proportions and magnitude become vast when considered with reference
to the general interests of the Confederacy and the final success of
our cause. The supply of the rolling stock and machinery of our
several Rail Roads, and the condition of their road beds, is such
that, unless measures are taken to meet their necessities, the days of
transportation by rail in the Confederacy are numbered. We are glad to
have been informed by the intelligent and patriotic R. Road managers
of the State, in the interesting conference the committee had with
them, that there are steps that can be taken which will not only
ameliorate the condition of the country, but which if promptly adopted
and industriously pursued, will improve our Rail Roads and insure
their continued usefulness. In this work it will be necessary to have
the co-operation and favor of both the Confederate and State
Governments.
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The Governor and the managers of most of the Rail Roads
of the State having been present at our deliberations, partaking in
them freely by our invitation, many subjects of necessary supply, and
plans to obtain the same, were discussed; and abuses materially
interfering with the success of transportation were brought to our
knowledge. Prudential considerations render it improper that we refer
to these in detail; but believing that his Excellency is fully imbued
with a sense of the importance of this subject, and that the
willingness of the State to render aid and encouragement will be met
by the R. R. companies with a determination to make every effort
ingenuity can devise and industry accomplish, to keep up their needful
supplies and business, and this preserve their status as highly
respectable and useful institutions of the country, we unanimously
recommend the adoption of the following resolution:
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Resolved, That the Governor is hereby requested to
appoint a commissioner to repair to Richmond with plenary powers, to
confer with the President and other officers of the Confederate
Government upon subjects touching the providing of supplies for Rail
Roads and the regulation of transportation thereon.
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Corn Supply
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The problem represented by this subject, is how to supply
the needy of the northern part of the State with grain from the
southern pare of the State. The roads leading from the suffering
regions into southern Georgia, in the opinion of the officers managing
them, are able to carry 133,333 bushels of corn per month {about
500 car loads per month -- requiring about 40 trains per month}.
These gentlemen declare their painful sense of the condition of our
citizens, and pledge to do all they can to increase their carriage for
them and prevent suffering. In this the managers of other roads
concur. Of this amount, it is calculated that as much as 100,000
bushels per month will be needed by the Confederate Government for the
army, leaving 33,333 to be supplied from the South Western R. Road and
Macon & Western R. Road. The Central {(of
Georgia)} R. R. and Geo. R. R. companies are also heavily
engaged in carrying corn to the more eastern counties, and the Atlanta
& Westpoint Road, is taking our corn from the region along its
line. We are glad to have been assured that the supply may be
reasonably expected to be sent forward in time to prevent actual want.
But all that can be done consistent with other necessities should be
done. It is suggested that agents to purchase corn carry with them a
certificate of the Inferior Court of their respective counties under
seal of the county, that their errand is to buy for supply, and be
prepared to make affidavit to that effect, also that they should not
all seek one market, but so distribute their purchases as to keep each
and every agency of transportation that can be commanded to the work
in active and regular employment. We notice with pleasure the fact
that the Governor has sent a train from the Western & Atlantic R.
R. to engage in this work, and unanimously recommend the following
resolution:
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Resolved, That the action of the Governor in
sending a train from the W. & A. R. Road to South Western Georgia,
to transport corn and other supplies to the suffering people of
northern Georgia, meets our most hearty approval. We request him to
continue the train on the work during such time as he may find it
necessary, and also to adopt such other regulations and arrangements
as, in his judgment, the exigencies of the case may require. We but
express the sentiments of every Georgian when we say, these people are
our people -- with them we will live or with them we will die -- their
fate shall be our fate.
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Salt Supply
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Your committee are informed that there are now at
Saltville, Virginia, awaiting shipment to Georgia, as much as 40,000
bushels of salt {about 125 car loads --
requiring about 10 trains}, the product of the furnaces erected
and worked under the contract made by Hon. John W. Lewis, under
direction of the Governor, and by the Planters' Salt Company, and the
Georgia Salt Company, and that the manufacture of salt for supply in
Georgia is daily progressing at that place. The Governor has set apart
a train to be sent from the Western & Atlantic R. Road to
Saltville, to transport the salt to Georgia and carry needful supplies
for their furnaces. As the rate of daily manufacture is large, say
1500 bushels per day {about 4 1/2 car loads per
day}, further arrangements so soon as practicable, will
probably be found necessary. We are informed that some negotiations
are pending with intermediate R. Roads, on the subject of
transportation. Without proposing to act disrespectfully to the
committee on salt supply, we unanimously recommend the following
resolution:
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Resolved, That we approve the action of the
Governor, in relation to sending a special train, with a good engine
and cars to Saltville, for the transportation of salt, made under the
contract of Hon. John W. Lewis and the Planters' Salt Manufacturing
Company, and Georgia Salt Company for supply to Georgia, and of taking
needful supplies to the furnaces making the same. He is further
authorized and requested to make all such contracts and arrangements
with R. R. companies, as he may deem proper to facilitate
transportation and to procure and send such other engine, and train or
trains, as he may deem the exigencies of the work demand, having due
regard to other calls for transportation.
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Cars of the Western & Atlantic Rail Road on Other Roads
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Your committee are informed that in doing transportation
rendered indispensable by necessary requirements of the Confederate
service, more than 100 cars have been taken off the road which are not
yet returned. It is highly important that they be again placed in
possession of the road if practicable. We learn too, that the Governor
has permitted a train to be used for the military service and benefit
of the citizens along the route on the Brunswick & Gulf R. Road:
Therefore we unanimously recommend the following:
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Resolved, That the action of the Governor and
general Superintendent of the Western & Atlantic R. Road, in
permitting the cars of the road to leave it for the benefit of the
Confederate service, is hereby approved as patriotic and right, but,
it being highly important that the same should be returned if
practicable, we request the Governor to send our a special agent to
find said cars, wherever they may be scattered on the several roads of
the Confederacy, unless used then in service of Georgia, and to bring
them, or so much and such parts thereof as may be advantageous to
Georgia, with power to sell or otherwise dispose of such as cannot be
brought back.
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Resolved, That the action of the Governor and
Superintendent of the W. & A. R. R. in permitting an engine and
cars to be used on the Brunswick & Gulf R. R. {the
Brunswick & Albany RR}, for the benefit of citizens along
the line and convenience of military authorities, is hereby approved;
and the Governor is hereby requested, under any arrangement with the
officers of the road, satisfactory to himself, to permit the train to
remain so long as, in his judgment, it may continue to subserve the
public good and aid in the common defense.
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Establishments to Repair and Aid in Further Supplying Rolling Stock
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The committee learn with pleasure that there are several
establishments now in operation in Georgia, and others projected for
this necessary object. Without proposing any invidious distinctions,
we mention the establishment of Messrs. Laughborough & Timmons at
Augusta, for the manufacture and repair of car wheels, axles, &c.,
and an enterprise projected by Mr. McNeill, and other citizens to
provide supplies for R. R. companies, to be located at Macon or
Atlanta, or some other convenient place. We unanimously recommend the
following:
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Resolved, That the Governor is hereby requested in
the management of the W. & Atlantic R. R. to furnish to the works
of Messrs. Laughborough & Timmons, and such other works as are
erected or may hereafter be erected to furnish R. R. supplies, such
special facilities of transportation for coal, iron and other supplies
as may be in his power, and consistent with other demands on the road.
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Regulations of Certain Rail Roads as to Contracts Limiting Their
Liabilities as Common Carriers
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Your committee are of the opinion that it is unwise,
unless in cases of extreme and unusually great risk beyond the power
of prudent management to control, for R. Road companies to propose and
make any contract limiting their will understood liability as common
carriers. They notice with pain that this has been done by several R.
Road companies in Georgia, and by the Western & Atlantic R. Road.
The committee recommend the passage of the bill herewith submitted, as
well as the bill referred to the committee touching this important
subject. It is due to several members of the committee, to state that
the passage of this bill is not unanimously recommended.
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Wm. M. Brown, Chairman
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