Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-28

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gard to them that is wholly false and un-
founded, beg to say
First-That the commission recently in
Memphis in their report to the postmaster
general make no charge that could taint
my character or dishonor me. They have
recommended the continuance of my con-
tract from Memphis to Arkansaw City
| (No. 29,O64), and that it be increased from
two trips, as now, TO three trips each
week that my contract (No. 29,O6S) from
Vicksburg to Greenville be extended to
Arkansaw City; and that my contract
| mo. 10000 from Memphis to Vicksburg
(now carried by the Anchor line) be dis
continued. These recommendations are
still in allegiance, and it is still question
Bile whether or not they are to be carried
out any changes made.
| Second-The river routes mentioned in
the New York Times of the sixteenth as
having been obtained by me in 1877
from Memphis to Osceola, Memphis to
Wittsburg, New Orleans to Camden, and
Jacksonport to Pocahontas, we're special
contracts made at the solitation of leading
members Of congress and others, and not
alone by the recommendation of Senator
Dorsey. l held these contracts for one
year, bat have not had anything to do
with them since, save the Osceola route,
in which l had fourth interest with
Andrews, to whom l subsequently sold
out, and fourth interest with Randall in
the Wittsburg route, to whom also / sold
out. 1t is proper here to say that the
Ouachita river route, from New Orleans
to Camden, which was for time discon-
tinued, has been partially restored. For
carrying this route l paid to the sub-con-
tractors more than $4,000 per year, in
stead of $1,000, as was reported by Mr..
Reeside in l877-78, fact of which that
gentleman has since convinced himself.
In regard to the Jacksonport and Poca-
hontas contract, l carried it at $500,
the same amount as was paid me in 1861,
when it was discontinued on account of
the civil war.
Third-Asto the contract (Route %, ,l03)
| from the mouth of White river to Pine
Bluff, l received $1,000 per annum for the
four years ending the Both of June, 1878,
when the present contractors (Memphis
and Arkansaw River packet company, in
which am in no way interested) took it
at $3.50, or $3.50 more than | received.
As TO the contract (Route 29,l04, from
Pine Bluff to Little Rock which l also
gave up in 1873, received only $1,000 per
year, whereas the Memphis and Arkansaw
River packet company are now carrying
it for sS25O per year. These two routes
are continued because they are indispen-
sable to the public.
Fourth--As to the Little Rock and Fort
Smith river route which was recently
discontinued, Captain II. Hennigan, of
Little Rock, was the original contractor
and the only one. With him, after he
obtained it, became interested to the ex-
tent of one-third, in order to aid him to
build a boat for the trade and to carry it.
Fifth-In the overland route from Fort
Worth to Fort Yuma, 1860 miles, daily |
service, am interested to the extent of
only one-fourth. 1t is the only route in
which / am or have been interested that |
has been expedited, and that was done by |
Postmaster General Key himself upon So
licitation by responsible and reliable par
ties, but it was opposed by General Brady.
The constitutional convention of Texas,
and all the state officials, senators and
representatives, the territorial officers of
New Mexico and Arizona, and the sena-
tors andrepresentative of California, and
all the influential people along the line
petitioned for the expediting of this route.
This contract was bid off at the ridicu-
lously low price of $l94,000 for seven
teen days schedule, the cxpoditing reduc-
ing the time to thirteen days, the compen-
sation being advanced to $299,0C0 Since
we have been operating this route we
have lost great many horses and one
coach with valuable express matter, and
fourteen drivers killed by Indians, and
nearly all the.stations between Fort Con-
choand FL Paso are now guarded by troops.
The risk of life and property are as great
now as they were on the overland route
from 1850 to 1864 between. Omaha and
Sacramento, l777 miles (six trips each way
for eight months and three trips for four
months), very slow schedule, for which
the contractor received 81 900, 900 per year.
and they are equally as great as those
upon the overland route from San Anto-
pio to San Deigo, California, from 1857,
distance 1000 miles two trips per month
on thirty days schedule), for which the
contractor was paid sl49,sOO, and for
which, fit had been increased to daily
service. on the same slow schedule, he
would have received, according to the es-
Inmates Of the post Office department,
S2,247 900. No overland mail service has
ever been given the government At any
thing like a small compensation As is paid
us, and even this has been cut of one-half !
by the rapid construction of the Texas
Pacific railroad and the Southern Pacific !
By the completion of these
it will all be cut off by the 1st !
Of January next. J
This statement covers all of my postal 5
ooptrscts about which there has been any !
thing said b. the press and the postofice |
and for the veri6cation Of the :
figures and facts contained in it J respect
fully refer the reader to the files and ar :
chiveg Of the postofIice department.