Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-02-28

! Comparing the year 1872 with 1870
! there has been an increase of 1887 cal
/ loads, or nearly 50 per cent. in the
! purely local business of this city, al
I average increase OF more than ten ce,
loads daily, which is far beyond the
local increase OF any other road known
! to me-. On this large local business
the Wilmington merchant pays the
same per mile to the road as Is paid to
or from New York or Baltimore.
When we make the rates no discrim
mating tariffs for or against any place
trading here are made the freight is
the same to the road, whetherit stops O,
goes through. In 1872 the increase OF
| local merchandise was 1854 ,2S4
pounds, a large portion of which was
. corn, bacon, sugar, coffee, molasscs,
and salt. 1t is estimated that about
700 cars loads OF new business has
been done with this city from competing
points which are nearer to other cities.
The only business we have done at
less than paying rates has been a large
local to this city which geographically
belonged to other cities also, large
quantities of timber for the city mills
! that cannot fill orders for first class
long lumber, without our help, and this
has Teen done without profit. II there
are any who are not informed as to
these matters of timber, let them ask
Messrs. kidders, Parsley, or Chad
bourn, where they get their long tim
Der supplies.
Some of the persons named as the
committee to communicate with us
have knowledge of these cheap city
freights.
Not only have we given these fair
rates to develop local business, but
We have assisted in getting up quite q
number Of saw mills that draw their
supplies from Wilmington, and also a
number OF extensive operators in the
production of shingles and slaves, and
we have induced by personal efforts Il
number of large turpentine producers
to locate OH the line of the road, the
Wilmington for their supplies and
their general market.
Yet in the face of all of these bene-
fits done to the city, mo voice" was
raised in the meeting of the Chamber
OF Commerce. to say anything for the
road. Nor has the committee, after
, the lapse Of twelve days. made known
the particulars Of the grievances COM
planned OF.
There has been delay in trans
portat;on both OF local and
through business, but not greater
than under previous administrations.
Formerly, parties sent forward their
products 10 market as soon as they
were IL n marketable condition now
t they hold them al home for a rise in
prices.
On sharp advance in prices the
freights Of p month are often rushed
forward to the road in a week. Had
they been sent forward as soon as
ready for market there would have
been little or no block in business.
The season THAI will soon close bhs
been the most remarkable for blocks
Of freight, both for railroads and
steamboats,, that I have ever known
IF The merchants here will enquire
they will find but few roads that have
been less blocked than ours. I am
able 10 say i,v extraordinary exertions
we will get through during the week
with orr freight blockade.
IS far back as December IL an effort
70 get engines I found it impossible to
have them delivered before next sum
n.cr. For the next season we have
c Contracted for y new engines with the
pro- nec5 FOR considerable increase III
cas-.
No city on The Southern coast has
r1rcspercd since the war more than
Wilmington. Not only do tho mer-
chants OF the Northern cities corroho-
rate this statement, but substantial!
proof is given in the fact that there
has been an average Of about 1S5
dwelling houses built here ill each OF
tho past ti.rea years. to which pros
pt1itv none has contributed more than
tie Wilmington & Weldon and Will
mingcon. Columbia !, Augusta Rail
roads. Our local rates are the same as
tho Wilmington, Charlotte 4 Ruther-
ford road, aud less than some OF tie
ncighbOrinS roads.
For the large reductions in rates and
facilities, offered ut competing points
i in rev connections, ii there has beer
any thanks OF recognition for any ont
Of these benefits, | have never heard
of them.
As on act of justice, I ask of 'ha
Committee appointed by the Chambel
of Conmcrcc, t. come to our Office
and examine the detailed records ans
proofs fro:ll DAY 70 dag until they have
completed the same and verify th'
exhibits and statements herein made.
HncncctfIl1Iy submitted