The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-07
Why the Northern Mail Falls.


OF late the irregularity of the mails over the
route from Washington to this city, via Louisiana
and the Mississippi Central aud New Orleans and
Great Northern railroads, has been the subject of
general complaint,
The inconvenience attending this irregularity
has, however, been borne with comparative pa
tence, in the belief that the want of funds in the
hands OF the Post Office Department had some
agency in producing neglect on the part OF con-
tractors who had the mails in charge. .
II appears that THIS Is not the case. Our mails
detained and what is worse gross imposition is
praeced upon the passengers On this route for the
express purpose of enabling certain keepers of
public houses TO benefit by the detention.
We have before Us card, signed by several of
the most respectable citizens of New Orleans who
arrived home this morning, after trip from
Washington OF five days aud a half, which should
have been made in at most four. The mails from
Washington city OF the 18th started with these gen
uemeD, but were left behind four miles from the
Durant station, the Central Mississippi Railroad.
These passengers took the rail- at Grand juno
ton, Tenn, the 2lst inst, and arrived in due time
at Grenada. From that point they were sent for
ward by three mail coaches, each coach having
Only four passengers, with their baggage, AM the
United States Mail, for Durant, whence continuous
railroad communication exists to New Orleans.
The distance by stage Is now only SO niles The
drivers of the stages for The first 70 miles seemed
TO be intoxicated, from their improper behavior
and indecent language. The passengers were, in
the beginning of their stage journey, informed it
would be impossible to reach Duraut in time To
make the connection with the railroads. And as if
verify telr they made frequent haIts
on the way under the pretence of mending harness
or other frivolous reasons. Eight hours were con
sumed in making the first 28 miles, when the whole
distance shoule have been made in twelve hours.
They were then driven to small farm house
four miles from the Darant Station, where the
stage coaches put Up, the drivers refusing to send
the passengers or their baggage forward to the
station until next morning. They would not hire
q carriage or Of the coaches for the purpose of
,cuttirg the passengers in communication with the
rail aims. Tie mails were thrown out at this
conutrv rm house, where they yet lie over instead
of being forwa rded according 10 the contract which
the proprietors OF NE stag iiNe AaSe Aiaue WIN
Heg overnment. -, Al,
lie passengers at length oo.in 81 'he use ns Of
passing wagon TO take their baggage :" ON'"n''
while they walked The four miles.
We give this brief detai 1T facts for two REASON,
men, 70 enable the head of the pCst Office Depart
~; n W learn the gross violation of contracts on
Inls route, and the atternpt to snhioa4 Al. nassen.
se1s over II to the rapacty of favSrite aa.;I ID
..Iaslng houses; and also to warn the nuhi; Ting a.
subject miles, ~ mIich they will necessarily ha
Inscribed are prom pity
rretted pocy OF the stage contractors is to be 70
must ax on account Of the injurious influence Il
1reat r vaeft upon the travel and rece;~ IL
J; r. ,o.., , ware Of the extortion
ween Durant and Granada will not take theiiays pc
ne New Orleans, jackson and Great Ns s.Juee.
'anfoau company nave, hence. an " Vnoih |
rting its influence to 20 10. interest in ex-
xist -.4nedy the abuses which
W.
entirely misunderstood the c'',afacter Of Post
naster General Holt if he tcI,erates for a moment
ne coh.nuace o ol ILLS policy 50 detrimental Z"
VEL int Tb W aected with this great row
ro~' % remedy is in his ,i hands: '" look for or
..upt action in the premises nne The facts are
voucbed aor ~ ev and sts IN for integrity and
oo1 upon the and 'nn fps
gross to be oTeIIo0' Il by the national authorities
" ny tne ~~'' LIZ public.