Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-22

In the report OF the committee OF the
Cotton Exchange on the comparative
decline OF cotton receipts at this
port. submitted on Wednesday. attention
Is called to the singular provision OF
the state constitution. which forbids the
extension Of our home railroads beyond
the limits Of the State, while that in
sfrument permits outside lines to pene-
trate 10 the very heart OF the CON-
monwealth, and divert to other
cities the natural supplies Of the GeOr-
gia seap0rts. Whatever may be said in
favor Of the development Of our resources
by offering inducements TO foreign capital,
certainly home capital already invested
is entitled 10 all the immunities and privi-
leges that sound policy would warrant.
I The Legislature. however, has for years
manifested a spirit Of hostility 10
the central Railroad and the city of
Savannah, notably in its action in rela-
ton 70 the sale of the old Macon and
Brunswick road, now part of the East
Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia system,
whereby il was provided that the Central
Railroad Company could not become a
purchaser. The Macon and Brunswick
was bought by rivals Of the Central and
extended. and now has an extraordinary
bonded debt upon il for the payment
Of the interest, upon which the people of
Georgia largely contribute. This rail-
road, controlled by spectators, was fOs-
tered by the State, and now takes from
her seabOard cities a large portion of their
natural share of the products of the CON-
monwealth, dividing traffic with the Cen
tral, in the profits Of which the people of
Georgia 50 largely share.
OF course. what has been done by the
sanction of law cannot be undOne by an
appeal to the law. The East Tennessee.
Virginia and Georgia is a fixture. 1t has
secured its share OF the traffic of the
STATE, and under the present system Will
gradually swell its share. Is it wise
policy on the part Of the Centrars
management TO suffer its rival to wax
stronger and stronger at its expense, OF
should not a stand be taken now? What
if temporary loss should result from
struggled The Central has everything to
gain by decided action, and much to lose
BY inactivity, which, however mastery,
must lead 10 disaster. The future of
Savannah and the future of the Central
are indissOlubly linked together. This fact
was recognized in the past, and should
ever be kept in view.
II Is admitted that the pooling system,
as at present conducted, is detrimental
TO the commercial prosperity of Savannah,
and that it should be radically modified
or abolished. To quote from the commit
tees report;
Your committee are of opinion that the abo-
lition Of the pool would result in benefit to
Savannah, and would restore to her many Of
the commercial advantages which she used to
enjoy by virtue of her favorable situation.
They consider it, however, their duty to state
that IN the opinion Of the railroad officials
consulted a break up Of the pool would imply
railroad war Of long duratiOn-a war from
which our Savannah roads would no doubt
issue victorious. but which in the meantime
would seriously affect their prosperity and
dividend paying power"
Ii is time for action, and the sooner a
decided policy is assumed by our home
railroads the better it will be for their in
/ terests and the interests of Savannah.