Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-27

between the cities of New Orleans and
Cincinnati. Atthe FIRST mention OF such
a line one would be apt to say that it was
visionary, or, if put in operation, it would
be at a loss Of all the capital put in. A
closer investigation of the subject would
show the fallacy of such view. No long
line OF transportation has ever been put
in operation on the Western rivers that
did not look to having paying trip on
board before the boat left the terminal
point. That is, the boat was loaded and
her cabin full of passengers, if the freight
and passengers could be obtained, before
it would leave the terminal port The
consequence was that the boat was slow,
unwieldy and unable to accommodate the
way business from two causes-want of
capacity, and by reason of drawing too
much water to approach the shore except
at special places. The planters were de-
tered from opening up farms along the
river except near the larger cities, because
they did not have the facilities of reliable
transportation or communication by mail
with the commercial world. If 1 under
stand, the plan now being agitated by men
capable Of putting it in operation is this:
A sufficient number Of boats to do all the
business that may offer; certainly a boat
to leave Cincinnati and one to leave New
ice is too heavy in the Ohio river the
northern terminus of the line will be
Memphis, or as far up the river
as the boat can get and return safely
During the period of low water suitable
boats will be provided to meet that ext
gency. The line is to be kept up with
such regularity, its whole length, as the
elements will permit. 1t is not intended
that it shall in any sense be an opposition
line. 1t will seek no quarrels, and will
engage in none. The rivers are, as they
should be, free to all, and its business will
go where it finds the most regularity and
the best accommodations. There will be
no hostility to RAILROADS; ana Sontrover-
sizes with them will not be encouraged, but
mutual benefit to the railroads and tho
steamboats, will be sop"tt Jha nlsn Is
feasible and st,,us1ness-like, and cannot fail
OF -uccess to the traveller, shipper and
stakeholder. 1t need not be argued that
| already there are short packet lines over
| different parts of the rivers between the
| two cities, and in some places railroads.
That is admitted: and they may continue
| there and make money too. AS you give
increased facilities you get increased bust
ness. There are between Pittsburg and Gin
cinnati number of short packet trades,
and yet there is a line, and successful
one, too, from Cincinnati to Pittsburg. Sc
between Cincinnati and Louisville
are to be found two or three short packet
| lines, yet the Louisville mail line between
the cities fourishes. Such cases can be
found all along the navigable rivers of the
Western States, ard in the case of the
North river you find double line o.
steamers from New York to Albany, with
several lines to intermediate points. and 6
line of railroad running along the bank or
esch side. Railroads are found running
parallel to each other and not far apart
and the street cars go along beside the
carriage, the wagon and the footways, anC
all make money, because they promote
trade and commerce by giving facilities tt
the masses of the people at a fair ant
equitable price. The wonder is that suct
-, o. NEW ERA,
MEAPIus. October 26. 1885.