The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-11-19
Cheap Transportation.

The second annual meeting of the American
Cheap Transportation Association will take
place at Richmond, Va, beginning on Tuesday,
1st of December next. The objects of this
organization are tersely stated by Hon. Josiah
Quincy, President of the Association, in the
following paragraphs:
The rapid progress and development of our
country during the past decade, has brought
the question of cheap transportation proml-
nently to the 'front.' and it is fast becoming the
leading issue of the day. The producer, the
manufacturer, the merchant and the consumer,
are beginning to realize that steam and eec'
tricity have inaugurated new era IN commerce
have changed our customs of life even-and
that whatsoever may be said of the power and
influence of any of the products of the soil, it
is evident that it is transportation which is
now king. It levies the largest tax upon pro-
duction and in this country its revenues
greatly exceed those of the government. How
important, then, that our transportation sys,.
tenn should be thoroughly understood and
equitably adjusted.
The bringing together of trained minds from
every section of our great country-of practl-
cal men from every department of commerce
and agricuture-for consideration of this great
question, cannot but result in good indeed
the previous convention which has been held,
although considering the question in its pre-,
liminary stages, and necessarily in crude ana
elementary manner, have lnaugurated work
which, in its educational features alone, Is OF
inestimable value; for yet, the public mind IS
quite unfamiliar with the subject, and there Is
need of all the light which can be thrown upon
it.
The producer and the consumer, not less
than the commercial classes, are deeply inter-
ested in the promotion of every object intended
to cheaper the rates of transportation, thereby
reducing the cost of living to the lowest prac-
ticable standard. High prices for articles OF
prime necessity, and exorbitant rates of trans
portation from one part of the country to an
other, will inevitably sink the poor man lower
in the depths of poverty, and are mainly bene-
fetal in aggregating the wealth of those al
ready rich. The general prosperity of all
classes is not enhanced by costly modes of
transportation, and the quicker a satisfactory
solution is reached, the sooner will the greatest
good be conferred upon the greatest number.
The Association, in its proposed meeting, will
discuss measures of such practical Importance
to the entire people of the United States that
every interest should be fully represented.
South Carolina should not overlook the neces-
sity of having delegates there to consult with
the representatives of other sections, and en-
deavor to unite in the general scheme for the
promotion of cheap transportation. We notice
that large delegation will be there from Geor-
gia, and that the principal towns and cities are
sending delegates. An able and influential
body from South Carolina might assist in ad-
rancing the interests and showing the needs of
this section ard we trust that the Governor
will call upon such citizens to accept an ap-
pointment for that purpose.