| From the Wilmington Journal |
| |
| March 26, 1863 |
| |
| For the Journal |
| Messrs. Editors: |
| Can't you induce the managers
of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad to keep their passenger cars in a
more cleanly condition? Is there no soap, no brooms, no water, no men to
be had, to keep them in a decent order? Seriously, if more attention is
not given to this matter, the yellow fever, or some other malignant
plague or pestilence, will be engendered on board said cars before the
1st of July nest. Where is Captain Fremont? |
| Also, can't some of the
Conductors be induced to be civil and kind to sick and wounded men? It
is a shameful truth, that our soldiers are sometimes treated by some
consequential Conductors and other Railroad employees, (who ought to be
in the rank of the soldiery,) more as intruders as beasts or animals,
than as brave men, who are exposing their health and lives, and
sacrificing their all for the sacred cause of independence. Where is
President Wallace? Will he not induce a reform, or have such men
conscripted? And will not he and the Superintendent see to it that
water, fires, good sets, &c., are provided for these sick and wounded
men who are daily being transported over their Road? The laws of
Congress, patriotism, humanity, common justice, all demand a change upon
Railroads in this and other respects. |
| And how happens it that the
produce and ill-gotten gains of speculators and extortioners are carried
over our different Rail Roads, when at the same time transportation is
denied to the subsistence of the wives and children of our soldiers;
denied to Hospital Stores for sick and wounded men, and denied to those
"good men and true" who in contact with the greedy shirks of the
speculating tribe, are devoting themselves, mind, soul, body and purse
to the good of the cause? I would not insinuate that the Presidents,
Superintendents and Managers of the Roads allow this to be done. They
are too just and patriotic to tolerate it, when such conduct comes to
their knowledge. But in these days of increasing crime, licentiousness,
and corruption, they will not take it amiss in me to remind them that
subordinate officials are sometimes unable to resist the tempting bait
of a little extra pay. |
| The suggestions embodied in
these remarks are made in a spirit of friendship to the Road, and of
kindness to its excellent President and Superintendent. But public
opinion sanctioned and sustained by the demands of patriotism, is not
satisfied with the management of affairs, and the sooner the proper
authorities realize this, the better it will be for the Road. |
| An Army Officer |
| |
| March 19th, 1863 |
| We dislike to publish anything
against any of our Railroads, but the above communication comes from a
gentleman occupying a high position in the Medical Department of our
army, and we feel bound to publish it, so that if the grievances exist,
as charged, they may be remedied -- if not they may be disproved. |
|