Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-08-18
From cambridge to Messy Creek.

From Dandrldge TO Mossy Sr0eks
MIR. EDITOR: In the Knoxville Tribune
of August 10, appears an article signed
"Click Clack," which, by your permission,
we propose to notice briefly. A paper has
been signed by about 700 citizens asking for
some important changes in the mail service,
one of which is to change the daily mail
line from cambridge to Messy Greek, in
stead of from cambridge to New Market.
The writer of the article referred to seems
to shudder at the idea of changing a line
years, and says that the change will place
the mail on a road that is almost impossible
in mid-winter. We are acquainted with
every foot of road on both routes, and of
our own knowledge say that the route to
New Market is q much worse road in winter
and summer, to say nothing of having to
cross Bays Mount at as high point as Flat
Gap.
The writer seems to think the now road
law will greatly improve the old line, but
fails to see that the same law will do any
thing for the new line. IF he will allow us
we would like to ask him how long it will
take to put the present line from New Mar
ket to cambridge in good order, allowing
the same amount to the mile as was expend-
ed on the one mile on the New Market end,
which we understand cost the State $15 200
of her bonds only few years ago. AS
to the line working well, we refer to an
article in the cambridge Watchman and Re-
porter of October 6, 1880, and signed by
| the postmaster at New Market, in which he
states that the mail, or portion of it, had
laid at New Market from Thursday till the
following Sunday, Notwithstanding the post
master had hung it out for every train ; and
| finally, it had to be taken to Messy Creek
| and put on the mail train there Are not
the people to be benefited if they can
| change SO as to correct such an impediment
to the mail service? The citizens, not only
of cambridge, but the patrons of the mail
service generally will be benefited The
proposed change does not deprive any Office
| of mail, but supplies all that are now sup
piled, and at the same time, saves the ex-
pense to the Government of an entire route
| thirteen miles long, Notwithstanding,
'Cick Clack tries to make it appear that
the distance travelled is greater. We do not
know what would be "for the healing of
| the nation" from Democratic standpoint,
but allow the Postmaster General will know
his business when the facts are laid before
him. We admit that the route from New
Market to cambridge is an important one,
but if the change is made as asked for, it
will be more important and less expensive,
and will not deprive Flat Gap or any other
Office of their mail, which appears to be
| only plea in the Tribune article against
making the change. We have read very
| carefully the command referred to by
| Click Clack," and also examined the his
tory of Naboth's Vineyard, as recorded in
the old version of the Bible, but we fail to
see where his application comes
in. We did not know the mail
service belonged to any particular locality,
but had always believed it was for the peo-
pie, and that the people had right to ask
for its improvement even though line had
been established twenty-fve years. This il
a day of advancement and the postal service
is keeping pace with the times The write,
insinuates that the move is "Star route
job" He thus assumes to charge about
seven hundred citizens of his county with
attempt to defraud the Government. We
repel the charge as false and challenge the
proof. He also assumes to give advice tt
the Postmaster General, and says: "Let
well enough alone" The advice given tc
the people SO freely and gratuitously seems
to have in it wonderful amount of persona
favor and pointless arguments.
Respectfully
/ J. J. CorIE