Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-29
TARUEE.

EDITOR STAR-Some time ago l noticed a
communication to the Memphis APPEAL
from one Mr.. Boswell, in regard to excessive
freight rates charged by the Mississippi Cen
trail and our mississippi and TENNESSEE rail-
road, and directing the attention OF Mem
phis merchants to the same, urging them to
take some steps to correct the matter. Mr.
Boswell's letter was well-timed, but as yet /
have heard of no active move by the Mem
phis merchants in the premises. Our local
freight rates are entirely too high for these
hard times and low prices. There has been
a great reduction In all classes OF merchan-
dise-all grades of goods-from the smallest
to the greatest, and l cannot see why our
railroads should be so persistent In their
prices. Justice, the economy of the period,
and the hard times, not only demand a
change, but the roads should look to their
own interests. A good deal of freight and
cotton to and from the interior are hauled
through the country on wagons, where the
parties never thought of doing so before. We
cannot reflect in the least on the honesty and
efficiency of the officers of our road, Tor
more clever set of men cannot be found any
where, but they should not let their desire
for gain run away with their better judg-
ment. Now, what we wish Is, that you, as
representative of the people, located at the
center of our road. try and impress the I'M
portance of the matter upon the officers Of
the Mississippi and Tennessee railroad COM
pany, and see if the desired result cannot be
effected. We have no objection to the rate
of the passenger tariff however, reduction
in this line would be hailed with pleasure),
but we do think our local freight rates excess
sive; so we ask that you call loudly for lower
freights, and hope the officers will not turn a
deaf ear to you. Yours, truly,
CoLDwATKR. Miss, June 1s, 1878.
The above is from the Pamela Star, and
refers to a communication which appeared in
the APPEAL, of the fourth instant, over the
signature of ]. r. Boswell, who is, we
believe, merchant at Grenada. That no
attention has been paid to the suggestions of
our correspondent is due to the fact that
no meeting of the chamber of commerce
has since been held, or is likely to be, before
the regular day and hour in the first week of
next month. Then, no doubt, both Mr.. Bos-
well and Economy" will be satisfied that
the merchants OF Memphis are alive to the
necessity for cheap freights, and are pre-
pared to do all they can to secure them.
Meanwhile we suggest that the complaints of
Economy" and Mr.. Boswell are worthy of
consideration by the board of directors of the
Mississippi and Tennessee railroad, which has
been so admirably managed in their interest
and that of the public by Mr.. Burke. There
is no good reason why we should not have all
the trade of the country lying between us and
Grenada. The planters, merchants and ira
ders of that region desire it, as the corre-
spondents referred to attest, and there can be
no doubt that our merchants are as eager to
have as they to give. The question of
freights being the only thing to prevent con-
summation thus invited for by both sides
should not be hindered moment longer than
an equitable settlement can be had.