| From the Christian Advocate (Raleigh, N. C.) |
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| April 9, 1863 |
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Wood! Wood! |
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We have not know so much real suffering experienced in
this city for the want of wood, as has fallen upon our people within
the last three weeks. The universal cry has been "wood! wood!" The
weather has been pinchingly cold for the season. The high price of
corn and every thing else, added to the spirit of extortion
everywhere prevailing, prevents land owners near the city from
bringing in wood; and the most who do bring it to market, feel
obliged to ask three or four prices for it. We have heard it
said by good judges, that our people are paying from $30 to $40 per
cord for wood, bought from the carts, &c., and the supply is about
one-third of the demand. |
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Under such circumstances, we ask, have our railroads or
at least those who manage them, no heart? Are they willing to
be the instruments, to force upon this large community, this
continued suffering, causing disease and death? It is useless to
talk about this reason or the other, as the cause for the railroads
refusing or neglecting to allow wood to be brought to the city. Our
people cannot obtain it, if the railroads do not bring at
least two-thirds of the supply. Their refusal forces upon the city
the immense extortion which wood sellers are now putting upon them.
Will the railroads, we say, continue to force upon the people of
this city, the dreaded alternative of suffering for wood, or
something worse? We hope not. These roads are coining money -- no
corporations in the country are making more. The amount of rolling
stock and locomotive force necessary to supply the market with wood,
is inconsiderable. |
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We have heard very unworthy motives attributed to the
managers of the roads for their course. We are not willing to judge
them harshly, but the necessities of the community are such as to
call forth their best efforts to supply this great need. |
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Speaking of wood, the Daily Progress of this city,
remarked a week ago: |
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"The present unseasonable weather falls heavily on the
consumers of wood. We paid eight dollars yesterday for 23 small
sticks -- about enough to keep going for 12 hours." |
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{Is the editor really this
ignorant? There are documents in abundance to prove that there was
not enough rolling stock to support the army -- where was the
rolling stock to be found to supply wood to the cities? In war, the
army comes first -- if you are not willing to support the army that
way, don't start a war.} |
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