The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-04-22
THURSDAY, APRIL %, 1897.
SCOTLAND NECK MUST HAVE
CHEAPER FREIGHT RATES.

If Scotland Neck has made any de-
velopment as trading town, it has
done IN the face OF heavy and extrava-
CANT freight charges. And THE CON-
MoNwEALrH calls upon the business
men of the town, the farmers OF the
community, and every one interested in
the development OF our town and en-
terprises, to join efforts in freeing the
town and community from the enor-
NOUS freight charges that are heaped
upon us. Especially do we urge this
because of the great discrimination
made between this and towns that have
freight competition.
About year and half ago we had
a talk with business man of Norfolk
about this matter, and on Nov. IA,
1895, we said editorialIy in this paper
the following:
The discrimination by the railroad
companies in freight rates is great
drawback to the business of certain
places.
We have it from good authority that
the railroad companies will haul cotton
from Washington, N. c., to Norfolk
for Is cents bale. From Pactolus, IL
miles nearer Norfolk, they charge so
ton, still miles nearer Norfolk, they
charge $1.OO bale. From Parmele,
still 8 miles nearer Norfolk, they charge
$1.35. That is to say, they charge $l.1O
more a bale from Parmele to Norfolk
than from Washington, which is 26
miles further.
From Scotland Neck to Norfolk the
freight Is $1.25 bale. This demon
strates the fact that we need competi-
ton. It is competition by water trans
portatlon that makes the great differ
ence from Washington.
All Eastern Carolina east of the Will
mington and Weldon railroad needs
competition In freight rates to deep
water.
We hope yet to see this competition.
With it our markets here at home
would be much better.
Since writing and printing the FORE
going more than year and a half ago,
we have made somewhat closer observa-
ton, and we are convinced that what
ever may be our efforts at new enter
prises and development as town and
, community, we can never overcome
such freight charges while other towns
get freight service so much lower.
THE COMMONWEALTH, therefore, pro-
poses to the people of Scotland Neck
and community to take steps at once
to build a railroad to connect with
water transportation by way of Roam
oke river. It will take little outlay
to do it, but it will be the best invest
ment the town has ever made. With
competition in freights Scotland Neck
could save from SO to IS cents on every
bale of cotton shipped from this mar
ket. That would enable cotton BUYERS
to pay at least ! OF a cent more for
cotton on this market the year round.
Merchants could get their freights
cheaper and could sell goods little
cheaper; and 80 such competition
would benefit not only the merchants
but their customers as we'll. Will the
people of Scotland Neck build a rail-
road to touch Roanoke river at some
desirable pointf Will not every farm
or, business men and all, do their very
best to get this relief?
It will be wisdom to do it, and The
COMMONWEALTH urges immediate and
persistent action. Let us have some
relief for the fall shipment of incoming
and outgoing freights, if possible.
The following North Carolina boys
will this week graduate from the Med