The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1879-06-11

which can be condensed into a tabu-
lar statement, SO that we may be
able to show correctly to the trans
portation companies the extent of our
business. What we need is a through
line with as few changes as possible,
from Lake Monroe to New York,
under one management, so its con-
nections can be close and sure.
Mr.. Thomas Hines,of Georgetown,
stated that steamboats, for use on the
Upper St. Johns should be built es-
pecially for the fruit and vegetable
traffic. He had found the Florida
Dispatch line to offer the best tacili-
ties for shipping, and suggested that
this line be urged to put a line Of
steamers on the river.
Mr.. S. V. Hammond offered a set
of resolutions, and moved that they
be referred to committee of three
on resolutions, to be appointed by the
Chairman. 1t being ordered, the
Chairman appointed the following
Committee on Resolutions S. VI.
Hammond, of Fort Gates; VIM. Bur
nett, Of Lake George; Thos. Hines,
of Georgetown.
During the deliberations Of the
Committee on Resolutions the meet
ing resolved itself into committee, of
the whole and proceeded to discuss
ways and means.
The Chairman, Judge A. B. Bart
lett, read the following paper:
AS understand the object Of this
gathering, it is designed as sort of
caucus, or primary meeting of the
people, to discuss the ways and means
by which we can secure speedy and
honest transportation to and from tEk
north. We are dependent upon the
northern market fr the s;Se, Of what
we raise, and in great measure for
what we consume. The character OF
our products is such that the earliest
possible delivery will only secure
their sale,and one days delay will OF:
ten result in total loss.
From Fort george, at the mouth
of the river, to the Everglades, all the
producers planting on the lands,
drained by the ST. Johns, or it's trib-
utaries, living in isolated places, or in
little communities, are anxious for
the same great result-speedy and
honest transportation. This is the
natural and spontaneous sentiment ol
every citizen living or producing in
this immense area of country. Efforts
have been made by the State Agri-
cultural Society, by the Fruit Grow
ers' Association, and by the wealthy
and enterprising citizens of the State
to secure this great result; while
much good has thus been accom-
plished, and individuals have been
favored and benefited, complaints are
still justly made against the carriers
from Jacksonville to New York and
return.
The railroad and steamboat combi.
nations and monopolies cease at Jack
sonville. The river boats are run
in their own interest. While they
may be anxious that freight should
leave Jacksonville on the line indi.
Gated by the shipper, in the general
scramble for freight by the compet-
ing lines, it is not infrequent
that it is diverted into some
other route, and all sight and care of
it is lost, until it turns up on the con-
signee's dock in an unstable condi-
ton. To consider evils like these
we are here. The evils grow out of
competing monopolies.
Freight is concentrated at Jackson
vile from every hamlet and planta-
tion along the river, from the lone
some crate of beans, the sole product
OF the widows industry, TO the car
load raised by the more wealthy. The
smaller is of the same Importance to
the one as the larger is to the other.
What is the remedy? / reply: Com
bination and consolidation-joint ac-
ton of the people in the following
manner:
Let the shippers from every land
ing organize shippers association,
in joint, such a meetingas this, where