Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-03-03

as much advanced as that Of the House.
The Radicals have held one or two meet
ings here this week, endeavoring to rally
the negroes to endorse Caidwell's action,
at one of which meetings Mark Erwin, of
secession notoriety, grated at length, and
landed 10 the skies "the glorious Consti-
tutiop." Quite change indeed has come
DER the spirit of his dreams
Mai Smith, the courteous President CT
the N c. r. L. Co., has kindly furnished
special train tonight for the accommo-
dation Of party of the members, who
propose visiting for day or two your
section. HAL.
WILMIs GTON AND WELDON RAILROAD
FREIGHTS
Editor Of tie Journal Wilmington:
DEAR SIR-I have, since my return from
prolonged absence from the State, had
my attention called to published letter
of DR.. James J. Philips, of Battleboro', in
the Advance" the newspaper of that
place.
The high-standing of the gentleman who
writes the letter, rather than the means
of communicating it, entities it to re
spe ctful reply.
| The cause of com plant seems to be this
that the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad
Company charge relatively much higher
rates than are charged by other neighbor-
ing roads, and he cites case to prove the
facts or principle asserted.
We have heard of many similar COM
parsons made to the same end, and yet
in no case have the facts been truly stated.
Now what are the facts ?
DR.. Philips says he "paid on lot of
shell lime, fifteen q5) tons, brought from
Norfolk to Battleboro, $37 so to the Sea-
board Road and $50 to the Whining on
and Weldon Railroad, the former 81 miles
aud the latter % miles " If tho Doctor
mistaken. The Seaboard Road is 70 miles
and the Wilmington and Weldon Road to
Battleboro' is 20 miles. This is of small
moment, but, as the Seaboard and Roa-
noke Railroad Company, in all through
rates, demand and receive compensation
on a mileage of 81 miles of constructive
distance, have thought it best to make
the correction.
If DR.. Philips paid the two amounts
that he says he was charged, he paid too
much.
On January Stb. 1870, q Special Rate
ON she'll lime was fixed at So rs per ton
from Portsmouth to BaAlebor0, Rocky
Mount, &c, viz 81 % for Wilmington
and Weldon and 81 SO for Seaboard and
Roanoke Railroad-and the amounts
should have been Wilmington and Weldon
SIS 70 and Seaboard and Roanoke 500 So
So much for the details now for the pri,s-
ciple.
Company charge more per mile than the
Seaboard and Roanoke Company ? CUES
tions that have been so often answered in
our, Annual Reports that every stakeholder,
at least, should know them.
It is a principle as wide in its applica- !
ton as railways are numerous and far |
reaching in their connections, that every
such corporation claims, and with reason |
that all tonnage and passengers pay it's
local rates to or from its acay stations
These local rates are based upon the plan |
of supplying sufficient income to pay
operating expenses, maintain road and |
machinery in good order, and pay an in
come to the stockholders or owners of the |
property as most lines are built and must |
be maintained by the section of country
through which they run. There are few
exceptions to this, and the Seaboard Road |
is prominent one. But for the business 1t
d1'a1cS from North Carolina ii acOatld scarcely
pay operating expenses.
This principle of making rates Of trans
portation is applied on all our State roadP,
and upon every one with which I am es-
quainted. Now for the cause of the diff
ference in rates. Wilmington and Weldon
being the termini of this Compapy's road,
freight is received at each place upon pre-
clsely the same terms, aud the same rates
are charged for the same distances. Then
comes the competition, by its connecting
companies for the business.
They make what are known as through
rates, and frequently the opposition is SO
strong, that the cost of carriage to the .
is very low-but the local rates {
are always maintained upon the line where 4
On the station is situated and the reason
tor it is obvious-the goods must pass Deer {
he line IN one direction or the other to its
oay stations. This has been especially IL I
ustrated during the past season In cotton +
reight. The line via Norfolk to New York !
lavlng raised the rate between Weldon and
New York, cotton was forced down Tar
Siver. and several thousand bales OF cotton
rom Wilson and other points were for-t b
7arded through this city, that would other il
9lse have gone as formerly by Norfolk
ms road In nearly every case getting its I
oil local rates. - - sc - b
This communication fully answers DR..