The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-02-17
Editorial Correspondence.

writtcn.-(Wednesda Sd The train was
due ia Charleston about 7 O'Clock, p. NJ,
but from some detention upon the road, il
did not reach there until, after 9. This
road is said to be in good condition, but i,
does not seem to be managed with that care
for punctuality and despatch, likely to se
cure for it an extensive patronage. hear
many complaints from passengers and al.
though such complaints are oitentimes un.
reasonable, yet in this instaacc, am inclin.
to the belief that they were made with suf.
ticient cause. On our return trip TO Kings
tree, Saturday 6th,) at which place the
cars were due at 81, p. NJ, it was some
two hours later when they reached that
point. | paid for passage fare in coming up
trifle more Than 1t cost me to 90 down.
The ticket agents attention wns called to
il, and he commended that he was right and
the agent NJ Kirgstrce wrong. From what
] afterwards learned, however, | have no
| doubt but that the reverse of this is cor
rect. The road is the straitest that ever
travelled and its construction seems not to
| be deficient. The trcstle Mt Santee is about
four miles long. The bridge is n superior
structure, resting upon tabular piers. The
travel upon the road is not large and is
mostly local but the stock holders seem
TO be impressed, that after awhile, a share
Of the through travel upon the Whining
ton and Manchester and the South Carroll.
na Railroad, will be directed upon the North
Eastern. The route to Charleston would
be shortened, and the time gained. ia king
the schedule time of each route, would be,
think. about four hours.
The Company did not seem to regard the
convenience of the people of Kingatree,
when it located the depot some half or
three quarters of mile beyond it. 1t is a
very considerable Inconvenience at this
point, and the advantage to the Company
Is not perceptible. | understood d that other
locations, perfectly suitable, were afforded
My first day in Charieston, (Thursday)
all day. The hotels seemed to have the
usual number Of visitors for this gay sea-
son, and the various places of amusement,
| understand, were well attended. The two
tirst DAYS | devoted TO business, being n
subscriber to the rule Of business before
pleasure. Saturday, ] designed to appro-
pirate to the enjoyment Of the sports of the
season, intending 10 visit the course. this
being the last day of the races, bu. ear,v in
the morning ] received intima,ion of IN.
illness Of our little boy at Kingstreo and
this obliged me to leave for that place on
the afternoon train, aud thereby my stay in
the city was shortened some two or three
days.
lhe business season seems scarcely 10
have commenced in Charleston, the whole
sale dealers not having yet received their
spring and summer supplies The late
money troubles have occasioned the unusu-
al backwardness. Times, understand, are
easier IN the city than they have been, but
the cry is still that money is tight and af.
fairs generally quite in nm unsettled condi
tion. As many readers of the Ledger are
interested in the prices Of merchandise, 1
will devote paragraph to that subject.
Groceries are low compared with this
time last year, but they are not so low as
to correspond with the general impression
OF prices that mas gone abroad 10 the Up
country. With sugars. for instance, while
the lower qualities have recedcd fifty per
cent or more, there is no corresponding diff.
ference in the price Of the finer family su-
gars. Best New Orleans sugar is worth about
81 cents, but il is not n very fair article.
New Orleans molasses is worth 80 cents
by the barrel, which is less than half that
it sold for last year. Fish are higher than
they were Twelve months age no great
differenc In rice, coffee cheese and many
other Of the common articles Of family
use. l did not price many articles 10 the
dry goods line, but understood that many
kinds may be bought exceedingly low. I
hope that our merchants may find this true
when they visit the city 10 the Spring. One
item in the house furnishing line, has gone
down very low compared with prices six
month ago. Carpe,ing, worth then. 81 25,
may be bought now for from 10 to so cents.
A splendid assortment of these, may be found
Mt Jas. G. Bailie's on King Street.
i feel indebted To brethren Of the press
10 the city for some polite attentions. |
particularly enjoyed conversation with Mr.
Heart, the senior editor Of the Mercury
He is very model OF gentleman and OF
a working editor He has an experience Of
over twenty years. and recital of his un-
derstanding Of some Of the duties and re-
sPonsibilitiss resting upon the conductor of
a newspaper, Is invaluable to one OF limited
experience. His definition of the word
editor, although correct one, varies con.
siderubly from the general aceepta,ion of
the term. The business Of writing for
newspaper and that Of editing It, are en-
tireIy distinct, though il Is oftentimes nee.
essary that the faculty required for each,
be combined in the same person. Any ed
ucated pe,son. Of ordinary intelligence, can
write 40 article. but there are very few who
no ss..saea the fact "a auce sfulIo ad;f 4. M :