Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-10-17
Memphis Street Railroad.

During the past ana present year every
branch Of business has contributed its
respective quota toward building up q,
great and prosperous city by reduction
of expenses, inviting and encouraging
an immigration Of an intelligent, skillful
and industrious population in our midst
excepting. however, the above mentioned
corporation. Even the gas company
(thanks to other considerations than their
own magnanimity) has reduced the ex-
penses of light, that now compares Ia
vorably with other like corporations.
The subject has been repeatedly
brought before the public; complaints
and remonstrances have heen made
about the exorbitant demands of this
company for fare. Is it because ex-
penses, such as they have to incur, are
greater here, in the aggregate, than in
other large cities? We are sure this is
not the case now, however true it might
have been heretofore. The president
urged this objection to any reduction OF
fare when it really existed; with, how
ever, the assurance that when their ex-
penses could be retrenched to what they
were in other cities, the reduction would
be made. Why is this not done2 Is the
worthy and intelligent president over
ruled by the company They have now
a paved and planked street, instead OF
splurging through mud and mire as for
merly, and thus. save half the wear and
tear of stock and vehicles. We state
facts, or try to do so, and think they
cannot be successfully controversial.
The enterprise is deserving of the public
gratitude and the highest commendation
if there was due Difference alike TO
their own and the public interest. What
objection can they urge to making falr
and legitimate test, whether or not
months trial at low fare will not pro-
duce them more met revenue than
month receipts at present rates by run
ming at regular and fixed time rather
than semi-occasonally as at present Z
What objection could be made to reduc-
ton, if on trial this result should be
proven? We know in like corporations
the bulls and bears, as in financial cir
cles, have their conflicts, and by which
the credulous and confding stockholder
may be heavy loser, whilst his more
designing associate may be correspond
ing gamer. We hope it is not true, that
FIVE thousand dollars bribe was paid TO
an unprincipled scsllawag member OF
the Legislature. But If twas, it should
not be made good by an innocent and
unoffending public.
Let it be recollected this is the poor
mans 8 conveyance, and the fare should
be at such reasonable rates as to justify
the mechanic, the laborer, the seamstress
and all others to take this conveyance
rather than walk. The time and fatigue
saved, as well as pleasure enjoyed, justi-
fies the reasonable expense. The rich |
have their private conveyauces, ana are |
independent of this company.
Is it not a lamentable fact that our
community look more to an immediate |
dime than prospective dollar9 What
has made the city of New York what she |
is2 Most prominent is the fact that her
far seeing and intelligent business men |
have lower rates Of conveyance for
freight and passengers, to and from all
parts of the United States and the bal
ance of the world, than any other city
every city in the United States, as well |
as every individual, directly or indirectly, |
pays tribute to New York. Is this not !
because our railroads discriminate
against thir own local citizens and in
favor of through freigh. and trade
Why, it costs nearly one'third
as much to send a bale Of cotton
from Tallahatchie to Memphis on the
Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, about
ffty-6ve miles, as it does from Memphis
to New York, distance Of thirteen hur-
dred and seventy seven miles Indeed
an approximate discrimination is also
chareeable to the other railroads that
have their termination here. It is high
time we should abandon the "penuy
wise aud pound foolish policy. This
done, with pursuing the wise suggestions
of Colonel Topp iu late number of
city paper, in relation to dividing our
large farms into small tracts and encour-
aging an industrious, intelligent and
frugal immigration, we need not doubt
we may work out brilliant destiny.
pRocpraq