Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-25
MAILS BY WATER.
What the Cotton Exchange Folks
Think About Them.

some stir has been made recently
about the river mail routes. A rabbit
has evidently been hiding in a brush
pile somewhere and 6rebrands have
been hurled to smoke him out. Those
claiming to know continue to agitate
the matter.
The question excited the attention
of the members of the cotton exchange,
and in response to call from a num-
ber of that body q meeting was held
yesterday afternoon to consider the
matter.
President Napoleon Hill called the
meeting to order, and Major j. j.
Busby presented the resolutions be.
low, remarking, by way of prelude,
that a petition to Postmaster General
James should be framed urging the
necessity of not only continuing the
present routes, but of increasing the
system, so as to give daily mail by
river, the same as is enjoyed by rail
Efforts should be made to prevent any
curtailment of the river mail service.
He closed by presenting the following
RESOLUTIONS,
and they were unanimously adopted.
WHEREAS, Complaints and charges
have been published against the river
mail line at Memphis, implying that
it is not what it ought to be; there
fore be it
Resolved, by the cotton exchange
aud chamber of commerce Of the city
Of Memphis, That we know the mails
by river to and from Memphis are bet
ter served now than they have ever
been before; that for this service,
and for the increased mail facilities,
the city of Memphis is indebted to
the good will and good sense of Judge
Key, the late postmaster general,
whose policy was continued by Post
master-general Maynard, and that as
merchants we respectfully ask the
present postmaster general to sustain.
As men engaged in daily business, all
know the value Of frequent and relia-
Bile mail communications by river, and
that VIC are pleased with the present
service, and urge that additional mails
be given, for the reason that increas-
ing population and business interests
on the Mississippi river require it; and
for the further reason that we rely
solely on the water transportation for
our mails to and from the planting
districts. We most respectfully urge
that as it is the policy Of the postoffiCe
department in the railway mail SER
vice to deliver mails on the railroads
by as many daily mail trains as rail
road companies can run, and also by
special mail trains, that a like policy
Of enlarging the mail service by river
is necessary to make prompt connec
ton with the railroads, to prevent de-
lay, and that the present service at
Memphis by river, and with all points
on the river, connecting with Mem.
phis, ought not to be changed-cer-
tainly not reduced but increased.
Resolved, That there being but two
banks Of exchange between Memphis
and Vicksburg, a distance of over 400
miles, and none between Cairo and
Memphis, registered money letters
being almost the only means by which
money is exchanged between Memphis
and the various towns and plantations
on the river, and that the money reg
istered system Of the pOstofiice depart
ment is so thoroughly the friend of
the planter and merchant. a daily
mail on the Mississippi river is an
absolute necessity, and any cur
tailment or lessening of the num-
Der of trips would be a positive injury
to the business interest of Memphis
and the river merchants and we
would further state that at least one.
third of the business of Memphis is
done on the river, and is done by our
mail packets.
ResolFsj, That the secretary for
ward certified copy II these resolu.
tions to the postmaster general.
The meeting thereupon adjourned.