Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-06-25
Char1eston and savannah.


Charleston and Savannah.
| Business has recently made it necessary
for us to pay these two cities hurried
visit. It would not be just either TO
Charleston or Savannah to judge of their
business at this dull season of the year,
/ especially when chronic dizziness seems
to have seized upon the entire South. We
! are satisfied that there is less doing in all
our cities and towns at present than al any
previous time since the war.
In Charleston, except IN the shipment
and traffic of fruit aud vegetables, there is
little or nothing going on which comes
under the notice OF an uninitiated observer.
The business meu seem lying back waiting
for the Incoming crops, Of which there ls
throughout South Carolina and Georgia a
most hopeful and abundant prospect.
Many residents are indeed leaving the city,
seeking cooler and healthier resorts in
their own mountains or at their own
Springs, or adding to the wealth and power
of the North at the expense of Southern
Independence and prosperity. by spending
their money and time at Northern resorts
of pleasure and fashion. Any way they
are seeking relaxation nfter months OF long
and laborious work, and laying up sup
ply of energy and health fer the business
campaign before them.
1t would be unjust in speaking of
Charleston not to notice with commenda-
ton that most excellent house, the
Charleston Hotel, which is certainly one
of the best kept in the South
Our limited stay prevented us from visit
ing the prominent features of interest and
beauty in the city and harbor, except the
beautiful park at the Battery, at which,
during the present season each evening,
save Sunday, Charleston, especially young
Charleston, resorts, seeking its delightful
shade and sea breeze.
We had the pleasure of meeting our
friends of the Ne,0s, and several others,
among them cherished brothers in arms,
by whom we were kindly received.
While the business circles of Savannah
seem to have taken holiday, we noticed
considerable improvements going on.
Especially is the city rapidly extending
it's limits. In the outskirts, at every hand,
large numbers of residences are being
erected, and the general appearance of
Savannah indicates an assured prosperity.
We are satisfied that it must become one
of the most important and fourishing sea-
ports IN the South. At present its steam
ers go ladened with fruit and vegetables.
Indeed, this business is carried on to q
greater extent there than at Charleston.
Besides the products of neighboring gar
dens and farms, the Florida crop is sent
there for shipment to New York and Bal
timore. The steamer City Point, on which
we took passage to Charleston, must have
thousand watermelons alone 1t is very
pleasant to feast on young corn, tomatoes
and watermelons in the middle of June,
as we did in Savannah.
We are not satisfied that the trucking
business has proved very successful. On
the contrary we believe from what we
learned that as general thing no money
has been made at it, and we doubt very
much if Florida, Savannah and even
Charleston is not too remote from market to
pursue this business with much success.
| Here again, as we'll as in Charleston, we
were kindly received by our friends, and
we are under obligations to some for most
pleasant Inequalities.
! Throughout our travels we were fayora.
bly, struck with the appearance of the
farms and the promise of the crops -
! The dullness which pervades the towns and
cities does not go beyond their limits. In
the country all is life and industry and
hope. The farms look in good order and
! the crops we'll cultivated In reply to our
! oft repeated enquiries to such farmers with
whom we travelled and whom we accosted
at the wayside stations we had the uniyer-
sal response of good prospects, There
was a hopeful cheerfulness in their man
ner which carried conviction with their
words. We are inclined to believe that
more attention has been paid to raising
food than has heretofore been the case.
| we trust that no unforeseen misfortune
may Interfere to prevent generous re
ward being given to their industry.
/ faxes.
Our people are engaged now in listing
their property for taxation. They will
find their taxes most onerous in the pres
ent, and if the e2travaganees and corrup-
tions of our State government continue,
the amount to be paid will be greatly in
creased in the future.
We have heard of no complaints of the
officials who have the tax lists in charge
here, but, on the contrary, have heard
them commended for their patience and
iastice Yet others may not be SO fortu-
mate. Ignorant and corrupt men occupy
ioffcial positions in many counties in the
Estate, and the people may become ,i:tims