The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-11-20
co UMBIA 8. q.
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Wedntsday Morning Nov. 20, 1879.
WSad TamIns.

.
cold in Columbia, the air eager and nip
ping. and ice forming freely. It is no
longer the soft breath OF the South
which saiutes us. wooing and kissing.
but the rough. hostile slap from the
frigid East, or the bristling Northwest.
fresh from the fields of snow in the
Rocky Mountain gorges: We arc get
ting our out-oropping share OF the
storms which have been formed in those
mountains out Of the great atmospheric
wave which came over the Pacific laden
with warm moisture on the 18th, and
was condensed in the Rocky Mountain
summits.
The unusual severity OF the weather
hns been augmented in its effeots by the
scarcity of wood. Wehave never known
ii to be SO great in long experience.
It is clear That We cannot any longer de-
pend upon the country teams. Former
" they broughtin their cord, or cord and
quarter at load, and many farmers
found it profitable business during the
fall and winter. Most of these fine
teams. like 60 many other valued pos
sessions. have gone where they will be
vexed no more-"where the, woodbino
twineth.'' What remains of available
stock is suffering with the prevailing
disorder, and their owners are fearful OF
using them in many cases, even where
they are well. It must be remembered,
too, that wood, in the immediate vicinity
Of Columbia, has grown scarce. Oor
supply mas to be brought mainly ON the
railroads from distance Of eight, ten
or fifteen miles. This means Of supply,
It appears, is also uncertain and precari-
GUS: The South Carolina Railroad has
never been accommodating in this re-
epect. It's policy, we believe. is not to
haul, wood at all. The Greenville and
Columbia and Charlotte and Columbia
Railroads are usually attentive to our
wants; but at present the supply they
furnish is wholly inadequate to meet
them. Considerable quantity of wood
has been ont and is lying at convenient
points upon the Wilmington, Columbia
and Augusta Railroad. but it has not
found 1t convenient to bring it in.
While their cars roll on in comfort, the
people Of our town, which granted this
new road several valuable favors and
franchises. are suffering for fuel.
Now, We suppose that the hauling Of
the necessary supply OF wood to the
tc=c ;e really ame!l matter to the rail
roads. which centre here, if they would
combine to dc the work, and each
promptly do its share of it. We think
that they can hardly refuse this reason
able demand. It may not be altogether
the most pleasant part of their business,
but neither is it agreeable to The people
of town. where 30 many of them con-
verge and do profitable business, to
suffer from cold, and, we may add, hun
ger, too. for our cuisine is likewise sadly
disarranged. The railroads should COLI
slider all these things, and bring us relief.
Another point. Wood is high in price.
and is already heavy burden Of ex-
peRae to the poor. Few are rich nov.
There are many charges on wood before
It gets into the consumers hands, and
all these he has to meet. The cost OF
wood is likely to be increased. if this
aoaroity continues. to degree that will
become oppressive. The railroads
should, in the spirit of accommodation,
and only as fair return for the privi.
leges they enjoy apd the profits they
other wise make, not only haul the neces.
aary supply, bat do it at fair and mode.
rate rates. We should think that ten
cents mile for cord of wood would be
quite enough. We have understood that
the Greenville Railroad takes wood at
Littleton Depot, fifteen miles from
Columbia, and delivers it here for 81.
We commend this rate and this exam pic
to other roads, whose charges have been
unreasonably high.
One OF the most important questions
likely to come before the British Parlia.
ment at it's next aeapion 10 that ~ T.;.l,