Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-18

revenue from steamers or other yesseli
in this manner. That for every improve
ment and its repair, the city or towr
should pay for the same by general tax
alton, and in which they, as citizens, d,
not hesitate to acqulesce IN. lher'
should be no discrimination between pub
lie carriers: they are the public servants
and shonld be treated alike. But here
we find that there is discrimination, moi
only unjust, but wrong in its application.
The amboats and other water craft,
as common carriers, are the best friends
of the producer and the merchant, for
they carry his merchandise to market in
better shape and at less rates than any
Others. Examine the quotations OF
freights before navigation on the Ohio,
Mississippi and Missouri rivers was sus.
pended by the ice, and what they were
during the suspension, and then say
which are the best servants of the peo-
pie of Missouri as public carriers, steam
boats or railroads. fHn
Compare st. Louis before the break up
of the ice and Immediately after; before
business was nearly suspended, all rail-
roads, running to and from, could not
convey the one-tenth Of merchandise;
but Just as soon as the river opened all
was life and enterprise, numerous boats
and barges were loaded in day and
dispatched for the different points on
the Ohio from its mouth to its source,
for New Orleans, Memphis, Vicksburg,
Red, Arkansas, White and Ouachita
rivers. The breaking up Of the icein the
Missouri at this point was hailed by a
part of the members of the General AS
sembly by expressions of JOY and thank
fulness; great burden seemed to be
lifted from their shoulders, one indi-
vidual remarking that ROW he could get
his grain and meat to market at fair
rates. Well might he say that, and
truthfully, too, for when navigation is
suspended the rates of freight rise to
over double. This action on the part
of railroads is just the reverse of what it
is on the river-the more freights there
are moving on the river the more compe-
tition, and consequently the less the
rates. So, also, the higher the water
the less the rates; as the river falls the
carrying capacity of the boats decrease,
and necessity then compels taem to in
crease their rates. This happens, how
ever, at that season of the year when
little, if any, produce or. merchandise is
moving. and therefore, works no hard
ship or imposition upon the public. But
the railroads. when the amount of their
freights increase, increase their rates,
SO that when they have no steam
boats to compete with, the amount of
freight increases beyond their capacity
to carry, and their rates correspondingly
beyond the capacity of those who desire
to purchase. And who receives the bene-
fit? Not the producer or manufacturer,
not the merchant, not the city in gene
raj; no, sir, only the railroad. Rurcha-
sers are compelled to buy elsewhere,
trade languishes, foundrys stop, manu-,
features suspend until the river opens
and steamboats, resume their places, and
then all goes merry as marriage bell.
This, sir, is no highfaluting and over
wrought picture; these are facts that can
be proven by the citizens of every city
or town upon our rivers, and especially
by the merchant and the manufacturer
of the city of St. Louis Truth is mighty
and will prevail, and | know whereof |
speak. | have said that this Wharfage
or tonnage tax is both unjust and wrong.
1t is unjust because it taxes a part Of
the community pay for that in which
all derive benefit; and whether it comes
back in any manner or not TO the water
craft, it is wrong in principle. 1t is
wrong also because il taxes the weaker
and at the same time the best servant OF
the public as public carrier Ii any
public carrier should be taxed tonnage
tax, II should be the railroads, because
they have no competition except at
points where steamboats, touch. Rail
roads carry freights to certain points on
the Ohio Mississippi and Missouri rivers
at nearly equal rates with boats, and in
some cases less. But how is it with
other places that nave no river facilities2
Why, it is this: They make up for the
difference by charging more for inter
mediate points. This is fact patent to
every member on this floor, and a matter
which has been pretty thoroughly dis
cussed. Suppose the railroads were
compelled to charge no more for freight
to non-eompetitive points, how long do
you suppose they would be in increasing
their ratesY Not long you can rest well
assured; thus proving how necessary 1t
is TO give some assistance to the marine
interest of our State, as well as to other
interests, especially railroads. Steam
boats do not desire to escape taxation,
but as public carriers they do demand
that there shall be no discrimination
against them, and consequently in favor
Of railroads.
Anything that can be inauguratea for
he benefit of railroads is pushed for
ward until it becomes a fact, no matter
( the people do have TO pay for it.
While admire the persistent efforts OF
corporations to enhance their
Individual interests, / cannot but be
vary of their intentions by their actions
IN every occasion that will permit, and
hat is TO dictate modes and terms for
carrying freights and passengers. But
,y fostering the steamboats, they can
,iWays be held in check | anticipate
Io,ne opposition TO this bill, but it will
,e an unjust and wrong opposition.
10 not wish to be thought disrespecttul
" personal when | say il viii be penny
wise and pound foolish" coming from
hose who would be cutting of their
roses to spite their faces. To defeat !
his bill would be like killing she
,oose that laid the golden egg. As
aid before, anything that can be done
o benefit railroads is pushed to compile
ioH. Railroad corporations can run
heir ears through your cities, lay their
racks on your streets AID vhsrves; can
interfere with the transit Of passengers !
md freight from warehouses to steam
Es; can use thousand feet or more Of
he St. Louis wharf for the purpose OF
their car iank end forth Across