The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-18
ORR SOUTHERN PORTS.

One Of the most convincing indications OF
the new industrial spirit which is animatng
the people Of the Southern States is the very
rapid strides which SO many of the cities on
the Southern coast are making under tho in
fuence of an increase in their export busl-
ness. Every year enlarges the amount Of
this business and steps have been recently
taken by the great Southern railway systems
which will give a further impetus to it.
These systems have been reaching out into
the far West, and freight that formerly was
carried directly to New York and Boston is
now brought to Newport News or Savannah
and thence shipped by water to those points.
II is stated that freight has even come from
so distant point as Portland, Oregon. the
owners finding it cheaper TO seek the ocean at
Savannah and then transport by water toNew
York than to forward by rail to that city.
Much freight is also being diverted from
points as far to the West as Omaha and
Kansas City.
TO what extent this diversion is being
carried is shown in the following special dis
patch which appeared in the Memphis Com
mercal a few days ago; THE total amount
of wool shipped via Chicago last year
amounted to $4,000 900 pounds; the roads car
rying it received nearly 81 900 for the ser
vice. So far this year there has been no wool
shipped via Chicago, and the Chicago lines
have despaired of getting any. Whether or
not Gould deserves the censure he is now re-
ceiving may be a question, but the fact is that
the Missouri Pacific and Richmond Terminal
are taking all the business from Utah com
mon points TO Savannah, and it is going thence
to New York and Boston. The rate via the
Southern route is S1.S7 from Utah common
points to Boston. while the lowest
lake and rail rate via Chicago is
$2l7 Western lines, which usually handled
millions of pounds of wool and are now
getting none have appealed TO Eastern lines
to JOIN a reduced rate, but to-day their hopes
of getting part Of the traffic were destroyed
by the refusal of the east-bound lines 10
make any reduction. Chicago wool mer-
chants are in despair at the outlook, there
apparently being no chance of any but scat
tering shipments coming 10 them"
The Boston Herald commenting on the
large amount Of freight from the West which
is now being shipped North from Southern
ports, declares that New England will "gaina
benefit from the Southern railway systems
which are so actively promoting the diversion
of traffic via the Southern ports. because they
give her additional facilities at lower cost
Considering the favorable attitude Of tne
leading organs of public opinion in New Eng.
land towards this question OF transportation
of Western freights via Southern ports we
cannot fail to indorse the sentiment which
the Atlanta Constitution expressed in this
connection IN recent issue. "Undoubtedly"
1t says, the close commercial connection of
New England with the West and the South at
this time will not fail 10 have its effect The
West and South are, politically, almost of one
way of thinking and New England. in thelast
election, showed tendency 10 stampede mi the
same direction. Certain hereditary causes
OF difference remain, but these will
be rubbed out by closer commercial con-
nection, especially when Southern en-
terprise shows New England that il is
competent TO influence the business and in
crease the prosperity Of remote sections ofthe
country. There is NOTHING for which the