The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-07


OF late the irregularity of the mails over the
route from Washington to this city, via Louisiana
and the Mississippi Central and New Orleans and
Great Northern railroads, has been the subject of
general complaint.
The Inconvenience attending this rreguarity
has, however, been borne with comparative pa
ence, 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.
1t appearo that Jnls is not the case. Our mails
detained, and what is worse, gross imposition is
practiced upon the passengers this route for the
express purpose Of enabling certain keepers of
public houses to benefit by the detention.
We have before 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.
tlemeD, but were left behind four miles from the
Durant station, on the Central Mississippi Railroad
These passengers took the rail at Grand juno
t0D, Tenn the 2lst inst, and arrived in due time
ut Grenada. From that point they were sent for
ward by three mail coaches, each coach having
only four passengers, with their baggage, AMI the
United States Mail, for Durant whence a continuous
railroad communication exists to New Orleans.
The distance by stage is now only 50 miles. The
drivers OF the stages for The first 70 miles seemed
10 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 Durant in time to
make the connection with the railroads And as if
70 verify their prediction, they made frequent halts
on the way under the pretence of mending harness
Or other frivolous reasons. Eight hours were con-
sumed in making the first rs miles, when the whole
distance shoule have been made in twelve hours
They were then driven to a small farm house |
four miles from the Durant Station where the 4
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 of the coaches for the purpose of
,rutirg the passengers in communication with the |
rail aims The mails were thrown out at this |
where thew vet lie ood |
of being forc,rded .cording to the contract which
the proprietors OF .he stage line nave made with |
meg 0vernment.
Tie passengers at length on.s.in the use p Of
passing wagon to take their baggage ;" o"an''
while they walke.s. the four miles.
we give this brief detam If facts for two reaso,
ment 70 70 enable the head Of the PCst Office Depart
h; 70 learn the gross violation of contracts on
,ers owor ana the attempt to subject tho nassen
odgng houses ; and dda aso Of vGrte eating I'D
ne annoyances to which they will paonc against
eeca unless the wrongs described are pc
rn uals policy of the stage Contractors e. ..
re.Ied on account of the iniurions Is 10 De re-
reat r eaefs upon tho travel and re:ei Re
e petty annoyances and the yexatious Sesrs
1een Durant and Granada, will not take th;s oe
nc New Orleans, Jackson and Great MS Mn rute.
abroad Company have, hence. ar 's.1rthern =,
list. w -.nedy the abuses which
W. =
entirely misunderstood the co',,aracter Of Post
aster General Holt II he tcs,erates for moment :.
,ery interest cor ' policy 50 detrin soMs u
ov3S, III W. aeoted with this great row
ave'' remedy is in his hands. W. ,.e OF
oucSed for by gentlemen knO~ aie etsa arts a as
eracity in this Guy az" e, and the impositions,
10Th upon tne gTSella 1t and individuals are too
ross to Dc srsve by the national authorities
y ny 'ue ~"" Zig public.