this road to suppress its capabilities or prevent it receiving any business whatever that it could otherwise command, I will stand condemned, and the wrong shall be immediately remedied. Not only that, but if any way can be suggested in which the fostering care of this road and its influence in sending business to the Port Royal road which it would not otherwise get, can be more efficiently exerted than it has been steadily in the past, and is now, that also shall be done. Very respectfully yours, GEN. E. P. ALEXANDER, President, &c., Savannah, Ga. E. P. ALEXANDER, President. OFFICE OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS, DEAR SIR: We are in receipt of your esteemed favor of the 22nd instant, and the Commission will take pleasure in forwarding your wishes for a full expression of opinion and proof of same from those parties along the line of the Port Royal and Augusta Railway who have been discussing that corporation. The Commission deems it their duty whenever called upon, either by the railroads or the public, to render all the assistance in their power to have evils, if any exist, remedied, and to this end in this instance will publish your letter with the request that parties interested come forward and present their grievances in due form. Yours truly, M. L. BONHAM, Chairman Board Railroad Commissioners. SAVANNAH, GA., April 1st, 1889. GEN. M. L. BONHAM, Chairman Board of Railroad Commissioners, Columbia, S. C. I will await information from your Committee as to the grievances that may be presented, and will then ask that a time be fixed for you to examine the officers of the company. GRAND JURY PRESENTMENT, Very truly yours, E. P. ALEXANDER. MARCH TERM, 1889. We have also been requested to present to your Honor the dangerous condition of the Port Royal and Augusta Railway for more than 16 miles within this County which has been pronounced dangerous both to life and property, and to ask that your Honor issue an order requiring the State Railroad Commissioners to immediately demand that the authorities of the said railroad place the same in a safe travelling condition. D. I. PEEPLES, Foreman. On motion of W. Perry Murphy, Solicitor, Ordered, That so much of the presentment of the Grand Jury as refers to the condition of the Port Royal and Augusta Railway be copied and served on the Railroad Commissioners for such action as to them shall seem proper in the premises. I, W. J. Causey, Clerk, certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Presentment and order thereon. So much thereof as refers to the Port Royal and Augusta Railway at the March Term, 1889. Given under my hand and seal this first of April, 1889. W. J. CAUSEY, C. C. P. & G. S. Complaint of W. H. McLeod Against Port Royal and Augusta Railway for Non-Shipment of Mule and Other Matters. BEAUFORT, S. C., March 30th, 1889. MR. M. L. BONHAM, Chairman Board Railroad Commissioners, Columbia, S. C. DEAR SIR: In compliance with your request, published in the News and Courier of 29th instant, I hereby communicate recent grievances and losses which I have sustained by what I consider mismanagement of the Port Royal and Augusta R. R. Grievance 1st. At least sixty days ago I purchased from Mr. H. M. Fuller, at Sheldon Station, 6,700 pounds cotton seed for immediate use. The seed was ready for shipment and the R. R. Company notified. I did not receive them until 22nd inst.-all of a month too late to be used. 2nd. On 22nd ult. I was promised a wood train at seven fifty (7.50) o'clock, R. R. time, and was ready with 40 hands and waited until two o'clock P. M., but the train did not come until next day. I rendered bill for time of hands. Payment refused. 3rd. On 20th inst. I was promised a train for wood at 7.50 o'clock A. M., and waited with 35 hands until eleven o'clock A. M. The train, as before, did not come until next day. Will render bill for detention of hands as above. 4th. Yesterday, 29th inst., I made arrangements with the agent here to ship a mule to Savannah today, 30th inst., and wrote parties in Savannah to that effect. The mule was at the station in ample time for the train this morning, but was not shipped. The agent said that the conductor had neglected to take it. Will try again next week. As to freight rates, I paid on the cotton seed already alluded to, from Sheldon Station to Island Tank, about 10 miles distance, $2.80 per ton. I paid on fertilizer from Hammond, Hull & Co.'s to Island Tank, about 9 miles, $2.10 per ton, while on the same class of goods from the same place to Augusta, Ga., they charge but $1.60 per ton. The freight on a car load of corn or hay from Beaufort to Island Tank, 5 miles, is more than one-half as much as the freight on the same car load from Nashville, Tenn., to Beaufort. These rates may be in accordance with the rates on other roads, but I consider them exorbitant charges, and altogether wrong. Satisfactory proof can be given for all of the above stated facts. Yours very respectfully, W. H. MCLEOD. G. P. S. April 1st, '89. I made another attempt to-day, to ship my mule to Savannah, but failed to get it off as before. Respectfully, W. H. MCLEOD. G. OFFICE OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS, GEN. E. P. ALEXANDER, President Central Railroad and Banking Co, Savannah, Ga. Yours truly, M. L. BONHAM, Chairman Board Railroad Commissioners. SAVANNAH, GA., April 4th, 1889. GEN. M. L. BONHAM, Chm. Board R. R. Com'rs, Columbia, S. C. DEAR SIR: The above is respectfully referred. Please have Mr. Curran make a written report on the grievances complained of, with return of papers. Enclo. Yours truly, E. P. ALEXANDER, President. R. R. D. D. CURRAN, ESQ., Sup't. To please note complaints and arrange to let me have a detailed statement covering each point raised by Mr. McLeod. Prompt attention will oblige. 4-5, '89. Yours truly, M. S. BELKNAP, G. M. MR. D. D. CURRAN, Sup't P. R. & A. R. R., Augusta, Ga. BEAUFORT, S. C., April 12th, 1889. DEAR SIR: Some time ago I made complaint to the Commissioners about various grievances against the Port Royal road-one complaint relative to the mis-shipment of a mule from here to Savannah. After writing to the Commissioners I saw Mr. B. H. Dunbar, your agent here, and his explanation is entirely satisfactory, and I desire to withdraw my complaint relative to the shipment of the mule. Furthermore, am glad to say that Mr. B. H. Dunbar has always been very accommodating and, as far as I know, very attentive to business. DEAR SIR: Grievance first. Sheldon, S. C., is not a regular station, only a flag station at which we have no side track. Cotton seed is usually shipped in bulk. At the shipper's request we agreed to allow our way freight to stop for this freight, provided it was sacked, and labor be furnished to assist in loading same. Our way freight stopped for this freight four times and found no one to give assistance in loading, in consequence of which it was necessarily delayed. In connection with this, I will state that we received notice on March 12th, from Mr. Politzer, that he had between 50 and 60 tons of seed at Sheldon for New York; this shipment was completed and last lot delivered at Port Royal March 22nd. Here is an instance of where we moved about 50 tons in ten days. If we had had proper notice and assistance from McLeod, his seed would have been moved without delay. Rate on cotton seed from Sheldon to Island Tank was assessed as per S. C. Commissioners' Exception Sheet No. 1, which classifies cotton seed, L. C. L. class 6, which is 14 cents per 100 pounds. Had the shipment been made in car load quantities, the rate would have been 50 cents per ton. His reference to fertilizer rates from Port Royal to Island Tank, the rate in car load lots is $1.75 per ton, L. C. L., increase of 20 per cent. on regular rates. The regular rate from Port Royal to Augusta is $2.00 per ton, and not $1.60 as stated by Mr. McLeod. On February 22nd we promised McLeod a wood train (time not guaranteed). The usual custom is to run these trains out between 7 and 8 o'clock A. M. On the morning in question a freight train was running to Port Royal regardless of wood train, but was delayed, and at 12.05 P. M. wood train was released and proceeded to wood pile, reaching there not later than 1 P. M., in ample time to load, but found no hands there, in consequence of which train returned to Port Royal empty. I held crew and train at Port Royal until next morning when trip was made without delay. On March 20th he was promised another train; but, as before, a superior train was delayed, not arriving at Port Royal until 11 o'clock A. M., at which time wood train left Port Royal, but came in contact with schedule of No. 75 at Beaufort, which was two hours late, again delaying them so they did not reach wood pile until about 2 P. M. Finding no men at loading point, train returned to Port Royal empty and made the trip successfully next morning. On both occasions train reached wood pile on the day it was promised and in ample time to load; in this instance we are the injured party, being deprived of the use of engine, crew, and cars (one day) and at a time we were badly crowded with freight. Grievance No. 4, with letter of McLeod attached, withdrawing charges. The facts are as follows: At 6 o'clock P. M., March 29th, Mr. McLeod called agent at Beaufort and stated that he wished to ship a mule to Savannah by the morning train. The agent notified him that he did not have a suitable car and could not get one in so short a time, in the mean time telling him to send mule down, and if there was an empty car on train, would send it off. Train came with a full train of loaded cars and the mule could not be shipped; during the day a car was sent him suitable for stock and Mr. McLeod was notified. He sent mule to depot Monday, 1st inst. Agent tried for one hour to get mule in car, but could not, and had to let the early train go. Agent then carried the mule to his own stable and had him fed and watered, and made another attempt to load mule, the second time being successful. Car and mule sent forward 1.40 P. M., same day. I have tried to explain each case fully, and in conclusion will state that irregularities occur on all roads. This gentleman has been treated with courtesy and respect by our agents, and cannot produce a single instance where we have shown any wilful neglect or discrimination. Yours truly, E. P. ALEXANDER, Esq., President, Savannah, Ga. Complaint W. H. McLeod. D. D. CURRAN, Superintendent. DEAR SIR: I hand you herewith Mr. Curran's report in this matter, which I trust will be satisfactory. M. S. BELKNAP, General Manager. Yours respectfully, Enc. K. To the Railroad Commission of South Carolina, Columbia, S. C. SAVANNAH, GA., April 29th, 1889. GENTLEMEN: I enclose herewith the papers in the complaint of Mr. McLeod, of Beaufort, and would be very glad to answer any questions which may occur to the Commission with a view of throwing any further light necessary upon the subject. If your honorable body will designate a time and place when it would be convenient for you to have the officers of the Port Royal and Augusta Road appear before you, to make any statements or exhibits, or to answer any questions, I will be pleased to have them attend. DEAR SIR: We enclose you a copy of the answer of President Alexander to your complaint. If you desire to controvert the points of the answer by the production of witnesses in person, the Commission will fix a day for a hearing at Beaufort. Yours very respectfully, MR. M. L. BONHAM, Chm. R. R. Com'rs, Columbia, S. C. M. L. BONHAM, Chm.. Board R. R. Com'rs. BEAUFORT, S. C., May 7th, 1889. DEAR SIR: My absence from home has caused the delay in answering your favor of the 1st inst. I would have been glad had this matter gone no further, but the false impression that has undoubtedly been made upon the mind of Mr. Curran causes him to place me in an unenviable position before your honorable Board, and I do most respectfully ask an opportunity of proving before you the statements made in my first correspondence. I am sorry that I am compelled to do this, but self-respect demands it. W. H. McLEOD. G. W. H. MCLEOD, ESQ., Beaufort, S. C. DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 7th instant received. OFFICE OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS. The Railroad Commission will meet at Beaufort at 12 o'clock M. on Wednesday the 15th instant, to hear the evidence yon propose to offer before the Board in support of your complaint made on the 30th of March, 1889, and the testimony which the Port Royal and Augusta Railway Company shall offer in answer to said complaint. Yours respectfully, M. L. BONHAM, Chm. Board R. R. Com're. BEAUFORT, S. C., May 13th, 1889. MR. M. L. BONHAM, Chm. Board R. R. Com'rs, Columbia, S. C. W. H. MCLEOD, G. BEAUFORT, S. C., May 14, 1889. TO COL. BONHAM, Chairman R. R. Com'rs. The complaint I made against the R. R. Co. has been amicably settled. Therefore investigation will not be necessary. The South Carolina Railroad Commission, after notice to the parties, met at Beaufort, May 15th, 1889, for the hearing of this case. Present, Messrs. Bonham, Duncan, and Jervey, Commissioners. The Complainant did not attend. The Railway Company was represented by General Manager, M. S. Belknap.. Mr. Dunbar, the agent, at Beaufort, of respondent, produced and proved the original telegram from complainant to the Commission stating that the matter "had been amicably settled and, therefore, the investigation would not be necessary." The telegram had not been received by the Commission. Mr. Dunbar further testified that complainant had authorized him to discontinue proceedings. The Commission thereupon allowed the complaint to be withdrawn. The explanatory statements of the officials of the Railway Company were, in justice to respondent, received as information, and will be found with the papers in the case, of record in the Railroad Commissioners' office. M. L. BONHAM, Chm., Commissioners. M. T. BARTLETT, Secretary. Complaint I. L. Tobin, Intendant Allendale, S. C., against Port Royal and Augusta Railway. ALLENDALE, S. C., Oct. 25, 1888. HON. M. L. BONHAM, R. R. Commissioner S. C. DEAR GENERAL: In behalf of the citizens of Allendale and this community, of which town I have for several years held the office of Intendant, I would be glad to have the complaints made by myself and others to the authorities of the Port Royal and Augusta Railway for many years, investigated and acted upon by R. R. Commissioners, if our complaints are founded upon fact and entitle us to any relief. How is this to be done? I can conceive of no way, unless some disinterested person in no wise connected with, or in sympathy with, the R. R., will meet our town for the purpose of making this investigation, upon whom we can rely for an impartial report of the facts of the case. The R. R. Co. is arbitrary, and our demands are disregarded. We suffer hardships and privations on this road that do not exist elsewhere in the State that I know of, and these grievances will certainly not be pointed out by the authorities of the R. R. We are ready to show that we have ample cause of complaint if a fair opportunity is afforded us to do so. Veryrespectfully, I. L. TOBIN. I. L. TOBIN, Esq., Allendale, S. C. OFFICE OF RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS, DEAR SIR: I am directed by the Board of Railroad Commissioners to acknowledge receipt of your favor of the 25th inst., to hand the 27th, and to say in reply that your best plan will be to prepare a paper setting forth your grievances and have it signed by the citizens of your place and forward it to the Commission. The Commission will carefully and fully investigate your complaints and do all in their power to have causes of same removed. Yours very respectfully, M. T. BARTLETT, Secretary. ALLENDALE, S. C., May 2, 1889. EUGENE P. JERVEY, ESQ., Charleston, S. C. DEAR SIR: Your letter to M. B. McSweeny, editor of the Hampton Guardian, has been handed me by Maj. McSweeny, and I beg to state that I am the author of the charges preferred against the P. R. & A. Ry., and am prepared to prove the same. You say in your letter that written charges must be made, and only written complaints will receive attention. I suppose printed charges are included, and I therefore adopt the printed communication published, and you may consider my signature as subscribed to the same in due form. The R. R. has been very careful to invite investigation. Now we would like to see something of the good works of the R. R. Commission. We are ready to make good our charges and demand that some action be taken to force this railroad to consider the rights and comfort of the people. I make this complaint in my official character as Intendant of the town of Allendale and as a citizen who has witnessed for years a total disregard and cor tempt for the law by the officials of this railroad. The employees of the road complain in private, but dare not openly express themselves for fear of decapitation. Very respectfully, I. L. TOBIN. |