Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1872-12-21
Macon l. Tuscaloosa Railroad,

on 9th Dec, the undersigned wero
appointed q committee to address
n communication to tho citizens Of
Noxubee, Pickons and Tuscaloosa
counties, relative to the necessity
and p~racticability of a Railway to
be constructed from tho town Of
Macon to tho city Of Tuscaloosa,
Ala.
The advantages of q Railway
through any section of country, in
increasing it's wealth and atfording
facilities, are too obvious to be dis
cussod. In this project, however,
we speak Of it as a necessity TO the
people along tho line it is proposed
to be constructed, and then its
practicabiIity both as to the country
30 well adapted to the construction
of a Road and the ability Of the peo-
pic to complete it.
1t is well know that monopolies
are always opprassivc-thoy charge
high prices and grant but few &C.
,ommodations. They dictate terms
and the people are forced to yield.
Look, for instance, at the MO.
r. r., which we do in no invidous-
ness to that corporation, but simply
because it is an illustration Of the
fact right amongst us.
From Corinth they ship cotton to
Mobile for $3.50 per bale from Co.
lumbus, $3.50 per bale; from Meri-
dian at $3.50 per balo. AT these
points they have competition and
are forced to place their rates down
to a Legitimate and fair price. Al
other points, where tho people hava
no option but to ship on their Road,
they are made to pay exhorbitant
rates. From Macon we pay s. per
bale to Mobile, and all other trei5hts
in proportion, and from Mobile to
New York, or to Liverpool, your
cotton is further taxed 1916 cent.
per pound, making in the aggregate
some 50 per bale, beside the Insu
rance on the coast wise transporta-
ton. Asa matter ofcourse, as these
two markets govern tho cotton
world, this is a charge upon the
producer.
Now from Selma to N. York you
can ship a bale of cotton for $l,2O
per bale, making a difference of one
cent at least per pound. This is
the result Of competition. No poo
Pile are free, commercially and ag-
%riculturaIly speaking, who are the
slaves Of u monopoly, and should
rid themselves Of it rs they would
Of any Other oppression, if in their
power.
Noxuboo county ships not less
than 10000 b. G., including what
comes from Winston county, and on
this basis the following figures arc
about correct
5000 b. C. t9 Mobile s NJ. d 0.
r. r., S. freight. ..,.......... $3.50, 000
10000 bales to n. Y. or Liverpool
81 freight, Sl2O,Oul
Annual cost of transportation. . $37O,oO
If this Road was built,
1000 Lsles TO N. York, ch'rgas 4,2O
cts. freiGGt".".,."""."".."...." l26,OOC
Annual saving to Nozuboe county
10000
1t may DO said by some they do
not wish to ship to New York, but
this docs not effect the facts, because
whatever is saved in treights is ad.
ded to the price. 1t will be cheap
ened in the same proportion if ship
ped to Mobile.
If this much is said in the saving
upon your exports, and it cannot
be denied, how much is saved on
your imports? The import tonnage
is fully equal to that ofyour exports,
which is alike affected b, excessive
rates. Let US look at tho figures on
that.
On dry goods. boots, shoes, etc, N.
York to Corinth the freight per
100 lbs. is........"...".."."".....~. S1,40
On same from Corinth TO Macon by
N. & o. X. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Sl.12
Being nearly the same amount
for HOO miles that is Charged for
1872 miles
On sugar, coffee, &C., from N. York
to Corinth.. 20
On same to Macon from Corinth.... 60
On whiskey from n. Y. to Corinth, 81
On same 70 Macon from Corinth,... 81
This shows the anmercifl char
res Of a monOpolist Comment is
unnecessary