Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-01-09

|
| growers OF Middletown and the surrounding
neighborliood, held meeting In the town hnll
| ofthat place on Saturday afternoon. Quite q
| large number of peach men were present, and
an organization was effected by calling Mr..
liSewell @. Biggs TO the chair, and appointing
| Mr.. Sewell Green, Secretary.
| Mr.. Townsend stated that the object Of the
meeting was 10 have an exchange of views on
| the subject Of freight rates, and to decide on a
I fair rate for shipment Of the peach crop to
| New York and Philadelphia for 1878; to take
measures by petition, or committees, or both,
| to lay their grievances OF high railroad taxes
| (of $3.50 per car load) before the Legislature,
to deliberate on the reduction Of freights gener-
| ally, and Of opening new routes and new mar
kets. Mr.. Townsend further stated the meet
ing was entirely an outside affair from the PEN
| insular Fruit Growers Association, and for
the purpose above stated, that they might be
better prepared for the regular meeting Of the
Association in February, at Dover. lie con-
tinued his remarks and stated that it was pre-
| sul ed the crop Of peaches for the next season
would be a large one, aud it was necessary to
be prepared for 1t by taking early steps in the
way OF opening new routes and establishing new
markets, thus in some manner to avoid the ex-
orbitant charges made for transportation at
Jersey City. The meeting Of the farmers COM
bined and working for their own iateaes. was
urged, and until this was accomplished, he said
the hucksters of Jersey City would league TO-
gether and buy at their own prices, thereby
robbing tie producers, and finally compelling
them to cut down their orchards and abandon
the peach business entirely. He referred to the
100000 tax on the Railroad, Of which the peach
shippers paid $4,000; was In favor Of fair deal
ing 10 all, aud of justice being done TO the Rail.
road Co. by the Legislature, and considered
State tax on the company Of $4,000 sufficient,
which would enable them to exempt the grow
ers from such high rates, and also the 16-cent
taxi on travel. lie suggested the necessity of
for their relief, and If the State could not regu-
late matters for itself, then let the United States
authorities be appealed to. He held that the
X. X. officers had 10 right, legally, to dictate
terms to the peach growers. when they would
not assume the right to grant them relief from
high freights They could not afford to be rob
bed now as they could In years pasi, Wheh
they could obtain good prices for their fruit
He had hot explicit faith IL irovlGe,,r plo-
vidlnp for them in this matter ami tul ,i,n,e |
10 hot walt Ia see what G,d - uuiL |
DO for them, tut ii they would expect -.u,',n =,
they must 60 10 work, and at once. To ~, l.,
u wouldn advise them 10 depend uh the a.
IL. companies 10 do for them, but TO demand
Justice, and at the same time advise judtiul,-
and harmonious action
AT the conclusion ui Nj Is fetil.iks lhe
read petition to be presented To the
Legislature, which was In regard to taxes, high
reights, Sc and asking relief from the same.
Dir Cummins then addressed the meeting
md suggested taking up the subjects In detail.
md arriving at some definite conclusion lie
'aid that certain objects set forth, had already
been placed in the hands OF Committees by the
Association, and did not approve of going to
he Legislature and asking for u direct reduc-
ION OF rates by that body, 1t being injudcious.
The several taxes levied on the rolling stock
" the X. r. Company were enumerated, and
lie referred TO the $40 lax per car, per annum,
n which peaches were shipped, and allowing
uch car to make ten trips in a season, and
harging $3.50 per car each trip, would amount
o 5000 the grower had TO pay, while the
company paid but $40
MIR. Cummins then offered the following
ResOioed, That tbs meeting con slider 500
Der car load sufficient, and as much Is they
:ould afford TO pay as freight from Dover 10
Jersey City, and pro rata from all stations
Ibove and below Dover.
Mr. Griffith moved to amend by substituting |
$50 in lieu of $50.
The resolution was adopted as amended
Mr.. Cochran, President OF the Fruit Grow
,rs Association, took the floor, and suggested
he propriety Of clear and fair dealing with the
railroad company as the only means by which
Inything could be accomplished, and urged the
| 1
III the effort TO secure reduction of rates.
MI X. L. Cochran wanted to know what
could be gained by the resolutions, without an
incorporate power to legalze and sustain their
actions, without which they would be consider
ed "a set of jackasses."
MIR. Townsend differed lii opinion, and call
ed attention TO the fact that by earnest and per
'eyeiing work In this way, the rates had been
reduced from $3.50 to 500 per car load, and
offered the following.
RsSUitei, That SIS be a sufficient rate per |
ear load, If 1900 pounds, from Dover to Phil
idelphil, with corresponding rates from all sta
Ions above and below Dover, and that the
company be- requested to erect sheds atDroad
lnd Pri!ur depot, for the temporary storage of
fruit,
The resolution was adopted. Mr. T. AGAIN
look the iioo. aud said that freight was carried
as cheap nom Norfolk to the Northern Market
as il was from Dover. In reference To places
OF meeting, lie thought Dover was no. a good
place to secure good attendance, aud thought
it would be advisable TO hereafter hold the
meetings OF the Association alternately at Mid
iletown and Smyrna.
MIR, J. p. Fennimore said that Ia the early
lays OF railroad enterprises, land In the neigh
Oornood OF Middletown could be purchased at |
slO to SIS per acre that an eastern monopo-
y' had seen tit to build railroad through the
state, thereby enhancing the value of real es-
.ate, building up ioulishing towns, and making
business and wealth for all, In consideration
of all this, he thought they ought to be received
IN any condition. lie alluded to the natural
OF the soil TO the production of small
luits, and would urge the increasing of iacili-
les Tor more home enterprise by erecting bas-
set factories and canning establishments, and
thus turning all tue products TO account. He
SAID That slU,OOO would erect i cannery build
ing, with machinery TO do the work, aud he
was willing to invest $4,000 If the other $1,000
would be added.
Mi. Townsend thought II would be ali yery
well for Mr.. +. TO be philanthropic to the II. II,
when he shipped all his fruit 10 market by wa
yer, aud was not troubled with high rates OF
taxes AMI fiesL,. Of the canning business
he had had some experience. had let his estab
shlnent iu,t fol the past tyc years. and was
uling I" no lis pat in The canning enterprise
~ selling his eanuery 10 any one who desired |
10 60 INTO the'bnsincss bat honestly, he would
warn them against II, especially OF canning to-
matoes.
lie following resolutions were considered
and finally adopted
Resoiced That it Is absolutely necessary TO
he interests of the peach growers of Delaware
ana maryland 10 have new routes and new
markets opened, and that a committee of five
be appointed by the Association to consider
Inc matter with the railroad officials, and se-
cure the best arrangements at the earliest p1ac-
!lcaoie tiine, and that further, the expenses In
CURED by this committee be allowed by the AS
;oeiaiion, and that guarantee be given of
sufficient number Of cars per day to make a
train
ReSolcel That committee Of i've be ap-
pointed 10 consider the propriety Of preparing
an act ct Incorporation for the Association to
be presented to the Legislature.
Messrs. j. T. Budd, r. ii Cummins, R. 0rif-
nth, Sewell Z. Biggs and II. A. Rowland, we're
appointed said committee.
Resolted, That committee Of three be ap.
pointed to cooperate with the committee al
ready appointed by the Peninsular Fruit Grow.
ers' Association, III petltioning the Leeislat ura
TO modify the present rate OF taxes.
aIIan Ii. u L