Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1877-03-24
ADDITIONAL LOCAL.
"Business."

"Business.
We believe that we will soon be able
to congratulate our business commu-
nifty upon the correction of railroad
abuse which has been a serious draw
back to the prosperity of our town.
We allude to the unjust tariff cf freight
rates upon the st. Louis and South
eastern Railway Company, discrimina-
ting against our town. This company
has persisted in charging 14c per 100
pounds on tobacco from Pembroke to
Guthrie, and we believe the same rates
from Springfield and other points east
of Guthrie, charging at the same time
only DC per 100 pounds on tobacco to
Hopkinsville. These excessive charges
are not only unjust to our market but
are illegal and contrary to the charter
of the road. The correction OF this
abuse should have been a matter han
died by the city of GAINESVILLE in its
corporate capacity long ago. The
complaints upon this subject from
planters and prizers seeking this mar
ket have been so frequent and long
that our business men have determined
that the cause for the complaints shall
cease. At a recent meeting commit
tee was appointed, with full authority
to take proper action in the matter.
This they have done, and we learn that
the Chairman has in a respectful man
ner laid the whole case before the
railroad and asked redress by a reduc-
ton in the excessive and onerous
charges upon the business seeking this
market IF this fair request is not
complied with, then the committee
propose accepting propositions for reg
ular lines of wagon trains, which will
tap the St. L. & S. Il. r. r. at Pom
broke, Trenton, Adams Station, Cedar
Hill and Springfield, and haul the
freight to and fro by wagons. We
learn that parties with good means, re-
sponsible, reliable men, have already
made application for the privilege Of
starting the first line from Pembroke
to GAINESVILLE, offering to bring tobacco
for the old rates formerly charged on
the railroad, only asking that the mer-
chants bind themselves to save all their
freight intended far the railroad for
back loads for the wagon train. This
our merchants say they will gladly do.
we'll knowing that the best trade this
town has ever had has been the wagon
trade. With regular lines of wagons
running to the various points, our mer-
chants we'll know that hundreds OF
small articles, hides, feathers, beeswax,
poultry, eggs, etc, etc, are added to
the regular load with mere nominal
freight, which swell greatly our gene
raj trade; a thousand driblets which
make a large stream when united,
and which otherwise would never find
their way here. Our merchants know
that all of this stuff which, when collect
ed quantities, can be readily turned in
to cash, is all brought tor trade or bar
ter; that its value all goes back in
goods, none of it in cash. The wagon
trains will be of immense value to the
country through which they pass, fur
nishing a ready and cheap transporta-
ton for this small produce of planta-
ton which otherwise never finds a
market except to some transient ped
Ter. Every wagon that comes along
can always find room for a few hides,
bags of feathers, barrel Of ta!low, and
and the like J.; and the grand total in a
month would surprise those who have
not noticed our wagon trade in the
good old days which are now about to
be revived. An answer from the st.
Louis railroad will be received in a
few days, and it would be better for
our dear little city if the company re-
fuses the request of our business men,
just as it is, for the wagon trains once
started will be put here to stay as per-
manent institutions, as the contracts
will probably be made for term of
years. \ step backward is sometimes
a step in the right direction. We are
glad to know that the various Oranges
in this section will give this movement
their hearty cooperation, which in
sures its success.