The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-08-18
| \Ffom the Charleston Mcrcury
GREENVILLE AND COLUMBIA
RAIL, ROAD

my III tIlc WeSteTu portion OI the state such
an active and commendable spirit of inter
nal improvement a Rail Road from Aiken
to Edgefeld G. H. will no doubt be built.
The planters on the Savannah river, both
sides, are alive to the necessity and anvan-
tage of opening their highway for steam
navigation and when crops care laid by,"
will hold meetings to consider and carry out
the enterprise. 1t will be one of the
cheapest, most practicable, and useful of
any proposed.
But the scheme that most attracted nv
attention, is that Of the late earnest effort
and energy of Northeastern Abbevllle and
Anderson districts to bring the proposed
Railroad from Columbia to Grecnvillc,
through their section; the route to be from
Newberry c. Fl. across the Saluda river
opposite 'od Ninety -six," (now Cambridge, J
by Greenwoodand Coltcsbury, in Abbcville.
and Calhoun, in Anderson, again across the
Saluda to Grecnvillc. | was present ut a
strong meeting on day before yesterday at
Greenwood, held among others for this pur-
pose. 1t was vigorously addressed by Hell
lar and Perrin of Abbcville, Pope, Summer,
and Fair Of Newberry, and Reed of Andcr-
son. The proposed subscription is one of
s25O,O0O 10 S3OO,OOO Southwest of Saluda.
to divert the road across it, and pay the ad-
dltional expense that must result from the
diversion. If it is accomplished Laurcns
will loose the route entirely, and yet be
compelled TO patromiZc the road An issue
is thus ,produced between Abbcviiic and
Laurens; one the largest producer of Cot
ton and the other of Wheat in the State
AS Laurens is somewhat at their mercy.
Ncwbcrry is strongly in favor of the pro-
posed route through Abbcvillc On the
other hand, the country between the Saluda
and Savannah rivers well complains that
in the deliberations at Columbia last winter
as to extending Railroads through the up
per part of the State, a just and due regard
was not had for that best portion of it.
Reflection after leaving the Greenwood
Meeting has suggested this communication.
Looking calmly and impartially over the
whole field, [ thought l saw an arrange
ment that would reconcile and subserve the
interests and convenience ofall the sections
concerned; and therefore would suggest
route for the consideration of AbbeviIIc.
Laurens and Anderson, and of the stock
holders ofthe road generally (who have vet
to fix the route,) that would answer these
that it would comma nd In comparison with
others, as well as from its locality, would be
the cheapest and most profitable
The route suggest is from Newberry
towards and near the Saluda river, opposite
Cambridge-then up the river without
crossing it, on a line about two miles from
it, to avoid its immediate hills, across the
Reedy river. and along the ridge between
it and Saluda to Greenvile, inclinlng as
much as practicle towards the borders of
Anderson. The argument in favor of this
route deem conclusive.
Let us compare all the routes. Twill as
sumo that the Columbia and Greenville
road will pay costs aod some profit, what
ever be its route.
First. The Abbeuille route. The portion
of Abbeville and Anderson Districts lying
on the Savannah river, having it as its
highway, will not and cannot be diverted to
the proposed route. Its purpose is the i'm
provement Of that river, which affords its
cheapest possible transportation, by saving
almost all the trouble and expense of wa
coming over few miles. In truth not more
than half of those Districts will have or
take any interest in the route and &lat
HUI iIuSl DetT lHe cApeHSt Vi the increased
cost, in order to divert the road through or
toit What will be that expensc2 In nv
Judgment 100000 instead 100000 will
be required. The proposed Abbeville route
will be- at least 25 miles longer than the
direct route by Laurens G. H., one being at
least 1876 miles and the other ITO miles.
Leaving out cost of machinery, officers
and depots, the cost per miIesmust be S1O,-
O00-S6, 900 for iron, timberssean laying
them, (see estimate on this point fof7Mr.
Memminger's report,) and a, least $4,000
for grading. The first item then is $780,
900. The3tw bridges across the, Saluda,
| (Which often rises 80 feet and is then.a bold
and rapid stream must be heavy work of
masonry, and d:will cost at least $l00, 900.
Then also what will be lost to;the Road
generally from want Of subscription by Lan-
rens, if the road, does not pass through it,
would, III the end, be Csc, ,0eo after all de.
ductions. FL know the whole up country
well; from3long residence and frequent ira
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