Washington telegraph., 1856-02-13
Steamboat Charges.

StC3 !" Dual OMAABCos
The "Caddo Gazette" notices another re-
duction in the price of freight on cotton
from Shreveport to New Orleans. from 81
80 to 81 per bale. The Gazette says ut is
the determination of masters of boats to
hold cotton at those rates throug ghout the sea-
son. believing that for less sum they could
realize no profit from steamboating. Al
though we do not believe that steamboat
men. any more than any other persons
should work fo- anything less than fair
compensation. yet it is mystery to US that
freishrs upon'Red river, to be remunerative.
should be so much higher than upon other
rivers In an ordinary stage Of water, it
takes no longer time to make trip from
Shreveport to New Orleans. than it does
from Camden to New Orleans. and Jet the
freights from Shreveport. even at the rates
above mentioned, are from so to 100 per
cent higher than they are from Camden
Why it should be 50 we are unable to deter
mine The rates of insurance are about
tue same.-tbe time occupied in making
the trip about equal. although the distance
is greater from Camden. aud We presume
there is but little. if any difference. in the
ordinary expenses Of boats The wear and
tear Of boats may be. and probably are
greater on Red river, but that even, would
not warrant the exaction Of 80 great diff
Ference in the price CT freigb,s- Indeed
as far as we are able to learn, the freights
on Red river. are higher than upon any OH
er stream in the South OF South West
Unreasonable as We think the charges for
the transportation of Gotten below the raft
are. they bear no comparison 10 the extor-
tion that is attempted to be practiced upon
the planters above that obstruction. As an
evidence of this. we are informed that the
steamer Runaway" last week, demanded
ten dollars bale for the transportation of
cotton from Fulton. and eight dollars from
Dooley's Ferry In the same ratio. the
freight On cotton from the head of naviga-
ton on Red river. TO New Orleans. would
cost from $40 to $25 bale Carriers, of
course. have a right to demand any price
they see proper. and planters can give it or
not just as they please. but We think rather
than submit to such extravacant charges,
they would refuse to ship at any price, up
on a boat that would attempt to extort them.
If steamboat masters and owners will enter
into combinations to compel. if possible.
planters and shippers to pay exorbitant
prices. they can protect themselves by re-
solving to submit to no such imposition
They can build fatboats and transport their
cotton to market on much better terms and
if they would adopt that plan for a season,
or make their arrangements to do so. in the
event boats refused to carry it at fair remu-
neratiEg prices. they would End no difficulty
in getting it of. AS we'll nigh. they per-
NIT their cotton TO rot upon the banks as to
pay the whole proceeds Of their crops to
steamboats,. and insurance companies. Our
shippers are willing to pay fair,-a liberal
price for the transportation of their produce
and merchandise. but we mistake them
greatly if they do not mark such boats as
attempt to extors from them. extravagan.
and unreasonable charges