The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-02-16
JAcKsoN, Jan. 80, 1867.

HON. BENZ. KING,
I. Chairman Senate Com.
Hon. j. L. MILTON,
u Chairman House Com.
Gentlemen: The undersigned was appoint
ed committee of one to respond to your
application to the Railroad Companies Of
this State upon the subject of a reduction OF
freight on corn to the actual cost of trans.
portation. The Convention of Railroad
which assembled in this city on
m youma
uliar and distressed con-
ultlon Oh peop4s-but you will readily
perceive tnat the same causes which have
produced this state OF things has, to great
extent, afflicted the ability OF the roads to
furnish relieft. 1t may be said, with truth,
that our Companies compose a portion Of
that class called "indigent poor" and what
adds peculiar hardship to our poverty Is the
fact that we are largely involved in debts
which have already matured, and our whole |
property is at the mercy ofcreditors, large |
portion Of whom are non-residents Qf the
State, and consequently have no sympathy !
save that which springs from the common
promptings of generosity. While We are I
thus compelled to devote our earning power
to satisfy the demands of creditors, we find |
that earning power badly crippled by the
failure of the cotton crop.
You will at once see the position In which
we are placed Acting III reality only 1
as trustees for Othefs.And il discharge of that
trust, having pledged our earnings to credi-
tors in consideration Of extension of time
I'VE should not only act In bad faith to the
creditor by division or REIMBURSEMENT of
those earnings but would jepardise the actual
over which we are the appointed
guardians In addition, we are not able to
upon practicable plan by which
TIM object sought would be obtained, for we
the object of the Legislature is not
to ask the roads to work and labor without
for that portion of our citi-
zens who are able to pay renumerative
price nor to that class who would be only
the better able to realize large profits from
traffic
The roads have already agreed to pass all
donations for the INDECENT poor not at the
actual cost Of transportation but absolutely
In this class of cases going
beyond the proposition suggested BY the 5
Legislature. We are prepared to justify :
this division of our earning power from our
,reditors and before our principals upon the .
ground Of thHt common sympathy which
should spring up In every manly breast. l
beg leave to suggest that the present tariff .
II corn as Fixed upon all the roads has been
made with especial view to the importance I
l.
n a reduction to the absolute cost of trans
,ortation would produce reduction at all !,
with the expectation of your
b0dies--for it must be remem- y
Dered that this commodity is transported to
Is over roads and water courses, operated
md run by th0ae who do not sympathize
With our restitution, aud that our portion
If the freight 10 but partition If fha agpyrr-
Iate, wEiie any reduction in price would Of
necessity come exclusively from that portion;
n addition to this, corn being not only q
erishable article but one easily liable to
amage, while the loss and waste of trans
ortation is great Thus while we trans
ort it tnly over portion of the route, we y
re exposed TO the liability of paying all !
Dsses as we are the parties who have to han y
lie and deliver II to the consumer.
When all Che expenses are paid to our ~
ompanies and laborers, our net profit is y
mall-which may be illustrated by state I.
lent that corn is brought from the city of
{ Louis to Grenada, Miss, at about the al
anne price as il would cost to transport IL o.
wenty-fiVo miles IN our State. al
II We could. however. devise any plan by
hich that class Of citizens could be reached IN
hose destitution Is such as to demand the re
sympathy Of our people. doubt
OF the Railroad Companies would cheer &C
MY nnite In such relief as Is compatible 81
18th Their duty to those they represent. l.
very respectfully, Yours. dc,
A. NJ WEST, vi
President Miss. Central Railroad Co. :.