Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-29
[From the New Orleans Courier.
The South Caroline Railroad Company and the


The Charleston Mercury, of the 14th instant, con-
tains a communication from Mr.. Caldwell, the Presi
dent of the Company covering series OF resolutions
passed by it the rate of transportation for the
mails, and letter from Mr.. Dundas, the second As
sstant Postmaster General, stating the terms which
the Department was willing TO grant, and the answer
returned by Mr., Caldwell, refusing those terms
It appears that the Company demanded the pay
ment of balance of ST., 929 %, alleged to be due
on the change of schedule: and which had, we be-
Ieve been disallowed It also asked compensation at
the rate of 1927 so per mile, between Columbia, Au
gusa, and Charleston, and finally offered that il would
contract carry the mails at that rate from January
1st TO July 1st, 1855. The Department, in reply in
forms Mr. Caldwell that, under the provisions of the
nineteenth section of the act of Congress of Sd March,
1916, the route from Kingsvle to Augusta, in which
the great mail is carried, is considered first class
route, which the highest rate of compensation of
1927 So will be allowed for single daily mail service
but that the routes from Columbia to Kingsville and
Charleston to Branchvlle, being only for local mails
greater compensation than 500 per mile cannot be
allowed. Accordingly, the Company WILL in addition
TO its existing contract be paid Sl37 so per mile for
the distance between Kingsvle and Branchville, and
SlO0 per mile, instead of s237 so, between Charles
ton and Branchville; being. Mr. Dundas adds, the
highest rates allowed by the law referred 10.
Mr.. Caldwell declines, on the part of the Company,
10 receipt these terms insisting on the proposals OF
the Directors of the Company to carly the mails at
the rate of 1897 so, between January 1st and July
1st, 1854, between Charleston to Augusta and at
the same rate, from Branchville to Columbia. The
Company ls unwilling to recognize any regulation
distinguishing between the great mail routes and
those of a merely local character.
The evident aim of the Company is to force from
the Department sufficient amount to repay all the
expenses of running the entire road, and thereby
enable it 10 place the profit side of its accounts,
the entire amount received from passengers and
freight It's graspng avarice overleaps in its eager
e
ice Department relative to allowances for the trans
portation of the mails and it persists in attempt
to force the Department to pay ii the highest rate Of
compensation granted for first class SERVICE for what
the whole world must consider service of merely
local character. The Company does not prete nd
that the trains which supply Charleston from Branch
Vile, or Columbia from Kingsvile, and vice versa
not at hours fixed by itself and to suit its
elusive interests or convenience for, well and
truly said by correspondent of the South Caroinian
some weeks ago, it has never, during long course
OF years. been the custom of the Directors of thai
road to consult the public convenience or interest in
any of its operations Indeed, the fact is notorious
that throughout the entire extent of country Deepen
dent on the concern for the conveyance passengers
mails or freight, the rapac!ous appetite of the Com
pany and its stubborn refusal to grant accommoda
tons and facilities which others promptly afford, have
made it the most unpopular Of all the corporations O
that nature in the South No one conversant with
its history will be much astonished att present pc
sition with the Postofice Department.
u In the conclusion of his communication to tn,
Mercury, Mir. Caldwell says, behalf of the Com
: pany:
"We therefore submit the facts to the public with
; the full assurance that the pursued by thu
!: Company will be approved'
r No, Mr.. Caldwell the public, you may depend
will not approve the Companys course. Far from it
But it will regard the conduct of the Directors il
their effort at extortion, being in principle, it'll
better than robbery the highway, and for the los
ses which may be caused to merchants and bushes
men in general, and the very serious Inconvenience
to the people al large, it will await anxiously, bu
hopefully the period and the OCCASION to take roveag
on the most sensitive part of / soulless body-it
pockets