Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-16

How THEY DO IN OTHER CITIEs.-The
case Of the merchants of Nashville against
the railroads has been very fully stated in
yours and other city papers. do not de-
sire 10 add anything 10 what has already
been said; but simply wish to call attention
TO the course pursued by the President of
the Memphis and Charleston road, in a case
precisely similar TO ours. The merchants
Of Memphis made the same complaints
against that road that are made here against
the Chattanooga road. When he heard
them, Col. Tate went before the Memphis
Chamber Of Commerce and talked TO them.
have cut out OF his speech, as it appeared
in a Memphis paper, some expressions
which / hope you will publish; and hope
too, that orr ewn railroad officers will take
the same sensible views, and do for Nash
vile what he is doing for Memphis. Col.
Tate said:
"Since my return home, have been made
acquainted with the fact that great dissatis-
faction exists among the merchants of Mem
phis with the railroad Of which am Presi-
dent, on account, il is alleged, Of the unjust
discrimination OF its officers and agents in
favor Of through freights and against local
freights. He had all his life long worked in
the interests Of the city of Memphis, and
was anxious that the merchants of Men,
phis should have a share, fair share, Of the
carrying capacity of the Charleston road
and that If in no other way he could serve
them, he would order a proper notice 10 be
served, and put a stop 20 through freights
until the local interests were satisfied. II
had ever been uppermost with him TO give
preference 20 the interests Of Memphis, and
90 that end, before he left the city, had in
structed the Superintendent, if necessary, TO
stop receiving through freights and take all
local freights offering; but that on his ar
rival home he found that his orders had not
been obeyed, inasmuch as the Superintendent
found il impossible TO ship all the local
freights 20 their destination, from failure on
the part OF connecting roads TO re-ship at
the point Of junction.
"But notwithstanding this state of things,
will try, and try again, until have secur-
ed 10 the merchants of Memphis all that is
their right in this matter. Nay, | will 60
farther, and say that local freights shall not
only have preference over the road l repre-
sent, but over connecting roads, if | can, by
doing "a have already in more than one
misunderstanding fresh cars 10 that end"
In speaking of what the Mobile and Ohio
road was doing, he said:
A few days ago the Superintendent of
that road, in the most candid manner stated
that il would be against the policy Of his
company for him, or other Of its officers, TO
act in cooperation with the Memphis and
Charlestod Railroad company; that the Mo-
bile and Ohio road was built in the interests
Of Mobile, and Mobile they intend 10 serve"
Then he went on 90 say: / have in
every Way possible sought 10 promote the
interests Of Memphis merchants. When the
local freights accumulated at the depots at
Grand Junction, l furnished box cars 10
the Mississippi Central Railroad, 10 carry
their freights 10 their destination, and pro-
posed 10 do the same for the Mobile road,
but they would make no arrangement what
ever.
"Tu prove 10 you my anxiety on this sub
ject, I must tell you that during my recent
trip east, / purchased 100 box cars, SO Of
which will arrive this week, and that il is
my intention to make use of them ut once,
in furtherance Of the object have in view Of
clearing out the local freights. II this can
not be done in any other way, l will give
due and timely notice by advertising in the
public papers, and refuse 10 receive through
treights unless they come through ware
houses, and make sure that the local freights
shall have the whole carrying capacity Of
the road. We must be just before we are
generous.
at was my desire TO assist in maintaining
the large trade with 81. Louis and other
points which we have enjoyed, that led TO
this through freight system. IL is but Just
10 the stockholders "a well as as the public,
that the local freights should have the pre-
ference. as the road was built for that pur-
pose it is by far, the most profitable part Of
our business The through freights must be
given up, IL necessary. that justice may be
done, the business interests of Memphis.
These interests must be fostered and COLI
served; they are as much my interests as any
other gentleman's and as l have always
done, mean TO stand up for them
IL our railroad managers will talk 10 MS
that way, and act accordingly, we would
have no more trouble.
ANOTHER MERCHANT.