Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-18
FAST MAIL SERVICE ON THE MIS-
9ESSHPPI,

The forty-ffth congress more than any
previous one gave unusual prominence to
questions relating to the Mississippi river,
both in the number of bills introduced and
the variety of speeches in support of differ
emit theories of improvement. There were
introduced in the house alone one hundred
and three different bills relating to the Mis-
sissippi and its tributaries. OF these one
third, or, thirty -four bills, relate to the main
stream. OF course they wee not all acted
upon. Now congress has adjourned, the
postofice department seems disposed to try
its hand at the subject, and has inaugurated
a new postal-service, which Is destined to be-
come as popular on the river as the postal
cars and fast mails by railway. Steamers
are to be constructed at once for the new
service, special attention being given to their
speed Some idea of the benefits which will
acciu to the people along the river may be
formed, when they are told that over two
whole days time will be saved on the round
trips between New Orleans and St. Louis
Instead of getting their daily newspapers
when too old to be readable, they will here
after receive them regularly and promptly.
These steamers will run tri-weekIy, and it is
proposed to increase the servi at an early
day TO daily trips. Their speed and regular
ity of arrival and departure will neces-
sarily make them very popular
as passenger boats. No such articles as coal
oil, hay, dynamite, and other inhammables,
will ieopardize the lives and property of
their patrons. They will be floating palaces
In fact as welt as name. Colonel J. B. Price
and associates, to whom the contract has been
given by the department, have ample capital
to carry it out in a successful and expeditions
manner. All that is now needed is for the
people of the river States to do their part in
calling upon congress to support the post
Office department by adequate appropriations
for this important service. Except for the
present lack of funds the postmaster general
would have inaugurated it as daily instead
of tri-weekly mail. Appropriations which
tend to facilitate the distribution of letters,
papers and knowledge among the people,
are In the interest of economy and good gov
eminent. But while needing larger fund
to perfect this new system as proposed, it
should be borne in mind that the pro rata
cost of postal service for daily fast mails will
be less than that of the existing system in
creased to daily. The memorial praying for
this river service was one of the most elabo- |
rate ever presented 10 the department, being |
signed by several thousand citizens and the |
members of congress from all the States |
which rest upon the Mississippi. The quick |
response of the postmaster general in grant |
ing their request (the order having issued |
within two days after fling the memorial |
speaks well for the merit and necessity of |
the enterprise. We trust that when a fair |
trial of this system has been had, the packet |
companies running from Memphis to the |
White, Arkansas and ST. Francis rivers, and |
those IN the coast trade above and below the |
city as far as Vicksburg, will be granted an |
opportunity of trying what they can do in
the same line of business.