Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-09
A RAILROAD WAR FOR TEXAS TRADE

Nashville road and the Iron Mountain
monopoly is about to open in earnest.
The officers Of the frst-named road have
determined to break down the artificial
channel which forces Texas trade out of
its way to and by St. Louis, or to assist
in building a new one. Trade and travel
have been carried around Louisville and
Memphis to the great detriment OF these
cities and their railroads, The great
bulk Of emigration to Texas is from the
Southern and border States, yet the Iron
Mountain railroad carried into Texas
last year 2l7, 900 passengers, while the
Louisville and Nashville carried less
than 100000 destined for that State
over all its FIVE divisions com.
binsd. Again it is stated that the
Iron Mountain carried 70,e 900 who went
to Texas to remain there, while only
$4,000 passengers Of all classes, local and
through, were transported to the city of
Memphis by the Louisville and Nashville
railroad, the greater number Of whom
did not take a single step further 10.
wards Texas" These discrepancies are
caused by unfair determinations, and
are felt more sensibly in the freight than
passenger business. Memphis is almost
entirely shut off from Texas trade,
much Of which would naturally come
here or pass through in the direction of
Louisville or by the Southern route to
New York. Texas merchants and tour
list are compelled by discriminating pas
senger tariffs to go by st. Louis, unless
they go to New Orleans, which throws
them to the right of US. A Memphis mer-
chant sent out a cotton msn to LoDgview,
Texas, last season, and in one month he
bought and shipped 1000 bales Of cotton
70 Memphis, but as soon as be began to
ship back goods and build up a good
trade at that point the road raised the
rates OF freight in such a manner and
issued orders that practically prohibited
the trade. Memphis must look west Of
the river for a heavy trade if she is ever
to grow any larger. The trade Of Mem
phis could be doubled in a few years if
the Texas system Of railroads could be
reached on equal terms with St. Louis.
Fortunately we are backed by Louisville,
Cincinnati AID certain interestsin New
York. The Earrings are moving against
the Iron Mountain, and may get posses
sion. II SO there will be a great change
The Courier.Journa of yesterday, dis.
c~ussing the subject, says:
The railroad officers who have for
years sacrificed every interest to her
prosperity, and arbitrarily thrown trade
aud commerce in her direction, are Being
deposed from their places by the Federal
courts, courts built upon the broadest
principles, and not swayed By local pre-.
JUDGES, and soon these men will no
longer be 10 q position to keep from
Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, CiHcin-
natl and the East the right inherent 10
eaeh-ibe right over which many battle
has been fought-to send its commerce
in a chosen path.
Via the traffic in question in its
regular channel, Memphis would be 8
great beneficiary, 1t would be an CD
tioual point Of barter for the Texas mer-
chant who did not care to 60 farther
East than hat city. Tennessee, and
Kentucky also, would have in them many
a point Of manufacture thriving upon The
demand for articles needed by the agri
culturists Of the Southwest.
The Little Rock railway is now, for
the first time in many years, in the hands
OF strong men-men who are alive TO the
injury daily inflicted upon it by the Iron
Mountain people, and men who are anx.
ious 10 help all interested TO give blow
for blow, and should the proceedings ia
the courts in 81. Louis be of a nature as
to lead to the belief tina, the present a
agement Of the Iron Mountain will be
retained, then the Louisville aud Nash.
vile railroad officials would be recreant
to their trusts if they left one stone un
turned in an endeavor 10 force an ae.
acknowledgement Of their rights, and the
citizens of the cities and lines along its
road would be undeserving of any of the
benefits that flow to vigilant communities
II they did not by word and deed sustain
every effort made in their behalf.
We hope and feel sure that Memphis
merchants will investigate this subject
and take a proper interest in the efforts
about to be made to break down this
Chinese wall erected by St. Louis to shut
us out entirely from the vast trade of
Texas. Give our merchants an equal
showing 10 freights and they can sell
goods to Texas people as low as ST
Louis, and give a better price for cotton.
DR REDFIELD, the p%eripatetic i~teper.