Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-18

has the matter in hand, to make the re-
ception a noteworthy one, and one that
VIII speak loud of the interest and appre-
citation that the people OF JackSonFllle
and Florida at large teel in the enterprise
OF any company that makes an enort 10
bring its ships right up to the wharVes OF
its metropolis.
The board has had frequent meetings
anent the subject, and it has been decided
| to charter steamboats, and go down to
meet the new incoming vessel at the
mouth OF the St. Johns next Tuesday
morning, when a grand banquet will be
given aboard the steamer TO the Welcom-
ingiguests by the steamships officials. The
vessel will then be formally welcomed
and escorted up to the city. AT night
splendid banquet will be rendered the
proprietOrs and officials of the line that
may have accompanied the Cherokee or
be present In the city.
1t is said that these festivities will cost
the members Of the Board of Trade alone
$1,000, besides liberal contributions from
private sources. Many invitations nave
Deen sent out to prominent citizens
throughout ether sections OF the State to be
present, and the railroad and steamboat
lines have volunteered to transport all
who may wish to accept, to and from
Jacksonville, Tree OF cost.
THE MALLoRYS.
Amid all this EMULATION and rejoicing
at the idea of getting what is called
direct steamship line to Jacksonville, the
question arises, what Will the Mallorys
do: What will become of their splendid
and long and faithful service to
Florida if everybody runs off
after the new and apparently
more direct and friendly line TO Florida.
1t should be remembered that the NAL
lorys have for the last eight years stood
by Florida through thick and thin; they
have continued to run their line, whether
1t paid or not, never ialtering. never
doubling the future prosperity and perma-
nency OF tlorida's growth and advance
ment. The question naturally arises, is
it fair TO forget them SO quickly and run
of after new and untried gods.
Much speculation has been INDUCED in
mere and at Fernandina as to what the
Mallory line would do, but nothing def
mite is yet known. There are two or
three theories as to their probable course,
one of which is that they will transfer
their Southern terminus to Brunswick,
Ca, and there, in connection with the
brunswick ana Western railroad, build
up and establish a southern and south
eastern business.
This is feasible but the most plausible
theory ia that they will form a coalition
with the DeBary-Baya line of st. Johns
river steamboats,, and by making
still further alliances with the
South Florida roads, such as
the Florida Southern at Palatka
and the South Florida at Sanford, strike
out boldly for the South Florida trade
and also for much of the Jacksonville bus
mess as well; for the line has many
friends among the business men of Jack
sonville and, indeed, throughout Florida,
who will not be quick to forget past favors
and quick accommodation, and with rates
at all equal will stick by the Mallorys
through thick and thin.
Everybody hopes the Mallorys Will not
Withdraw. What the business men and
people generally of Florida want is COM
petltive lines Of ocean transportation,
and without this the Clyde or any other
line will rot fill the bill. The MallOrys
then should not be bluffed off from Fer
nandina. but should be met with encour-
agement and assurances that if they re-
main they will be gwen fair and liberal
share of the ocean freight and passenger
business to and from Florida.