Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-20
KnOxyiIIe and Cincinnati.
TO the. Editors Of the Knoxville Wig:
Allow me to call your attention, as W


cannot at this time, be ignored. Ialludc to the i'm
portance of a speedy completion of the Railroad
from. Rjlorrille to Cincinnati.
will first call your attention TO an article IN the
Cincinnati Commercial of September 9th, under its
commercial article of that date. When comment
ing upon the features of the trade and particularly
the trade now offering from the South, which is as
follows:
1t is gratifying TO see that the advantages of this
point for trade are being properly appreciated in
the South as is shown in the following extract
from the Associated Press news in to-day's paper
"The Macon correspondent of the Augusta Tran
script after referring to the briskness of trade in
that city says new feature in trade has exhibit ed
itself which promises much good to the South. 1t
is the report of merchants who have been to Louis
vile and Cincinnati for their supplies of new goods
and Western Produce. Not more than half the
time is consumed by trip in getting supplies, COM
pared with receiving them from New York. 1t is
also said that goods can be purchased in the Yves
tern cities as cheaply as in New York"
Our merchants and manufacturers should know
that they can lay hands on the trade of the
great heart of the South in fair competition with
any other city in the country, if they will only at
once construct railroad that shall connect directly
with the whole system of the South This can best
be done with line which shall strike south to such
point as will afford best divergence for lines leading
to Nashville Knoxville and Chattanooga, on the
shortest practicable routes. Not day should be
lost in putting this thing through. If the entire
cost of its construction were sunk IN the outlay 1t
would be a good investment, if the work
compshed. In this sort of enterprise that has been
less conspicuous here in the comprehension of our
situation than it should have in years gone past
as well as more recently, urged the importance of
this work, AID do not despair of seeing it accom-
plished, however difficult it may be to interest men
in subscriptions to railroad stocks.
No more truthful remark was ever uttered by a
journalist than the fact $50 far Cincinnati is con-
cerned) that if every dime they invested were sunk
in completion Of this road, it would be financial
benefit to its commercial interests
now wish to call your attention to some articles
which have appeared recently and published in he
Louisville journals which seem to meto be of much
Importance to Southern merchants, as well as the
people generally. In the Louisville Democrat and
Journal of the Eth instant we find the following
report of the committee of the board of trade in con-
nection with some correspondence addressed to the
we'll known and responsible transportation line, the
adams Express Company, and it seems to me that
the position taken by the committee is clear and
easily to be understood. Attached is the report of
| the committee:
Your committee respectfully report that they ad-
dressed communication to the agents of the Eclipse
Fast Freight Line and Adams Express Company
in reference TO the reduction of the rates of freight
Sc, copy (which with the replies, IS herewith
submitted.
| If we would secure permanently Southern trade,
we must manage and control our freight business.
Louisville men and Louisville capital must be en-
ployed Within a very short time all the old lines
! of railroad communication with the Atlantic sea-
| bo m trala which If drIV-
en- from us by exhortant freight and long delay on
| the wav will be lost to US for all time TO come.
! During the past four years we have been compel
led to submit to unjust exactons and unfair dlscrm
! nations which we couldn't control The time has
now come when we must remedy these evils. The
remedy is in our own hands. We must have our olyr
Express Freight Company under the management Of
Louisville merchants and manufacturers. We must
also urge the President and directors Of the Louis
vile and Nashville Railroad Company to make the
necessary arrangements for giving through-bills o.
ladng at low rates TO all important Southern points
connected with our city by Southern railroads
Trade and travel is obtained by other cities having
control of important railroads We must see thai
the Louisville and Nashville railroad, built by ON
energy and capital, is made tributary to the IN
forests Of our city. We do not intend 10 re1eSt up
! on the past management ofthe Louisville and Nash
vile road They have surnounted great difficulties
and the affairs of the company have been managed
with great ability. Doubtless the main cause Of th'
evil Of which we complain Is the military cOntrO
of the railroads south of Nashville; but tha
these roads are being given up to their respective
companies we would urge that arrangements b.
made without delay, for giving through bills of Ia
ding to all important points south Of US.
| The Hon. James Guthrie, the able President o
our road has already signifed his determination 4
cooperate with US, and we doubt not, through nj
influence and efforts, arrangements readily b
made with the managers of the Southern roads +
give through bills of lading. We would sugges
that committee be appointed to confer with tn
Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company in re
gard to this important matter, and to report to thi
Board the result Of the conference.
All Of which is respectfully submitted
W. B. HAMILTON, Chairman.
JAMES BRLDGEFoRD,
R. \. ROBINSON.
On motion Of Mr. VIM. Skene, the report OF tn
committee received, and the same commute
retained.
Mr. Burkhardt stated that the letter of the Eclps
Freight Line was very pretty one but he woul
like for them to answer one question: WAS not
} discrimination shown TO Cincinnati merchants Il
preference to Louisville merchants p
Attached is the reply of the agent Of the Eclips
Freight Line towned and controlled by the Adam.
Express Company in regard to the allegations tina
this line had Disseminated in favor of Cincinnati
and New York shipments:
In relation 10 freight from the East being fol-
warded in preference to the city Of Louisville freight
would state that freight from the East leaves her
twelve hours after the freight that is shipped by tn
merchants of this city. For instance freight arr
wing here in the morning by boat cannot be loade
until after dark and freight for this city is, as
! general thing, loaded and sent out the same nigh
thus putting II twelve hours in advance of Easter
! freights
And lastly in relation TO special rates of freigl
for Eastern cities: have never known a single il
stance where freight has been taken by this line
| special rates, from other cities at 50 low rate
=? charged from this city.
In regard to Adams Express Company they al
, the sole proprietors Of the line.
I am, gentlemen, your obedlent servant
D. w. c. ROWLAND, Agent.
e Ii would seem from the above documents tn,
9 Louisville complains Of discrimination, which
), promptly denied by the Adams Express Company
= Agent, and which seems hardly necessary, as an
business man acquainted with the policy Of the y,
dams Express Company will certainly see this pc
icy would be suicide to its interest asa common ca
rier.
t The policy Of tho Louisville board Of trade
simply TO control the Louisville and Nashville Raj
road, and compel Southern merchants to buy the
goods Of them, instead of purchasing in Cincinna
y If this movement Is successful of course the Sout
ern merchant is compelled to buy his goods in W
= York, Baltimore, or Louisville, as the only way
# getting transportation. How long will Cincinna
= allow herself to be at the mercy of Louisville me
chants? And truly, would not the interests of Ci
cinnati be promoted by building this road, CIV,
: were it gift subscription, suggested by the Coz
Is | mercial