The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1848-01-19
ABBEVILLE c. H., s. c.. JANUARY 49, 1913.
From the Anderson Gazette.
\ THE RAIL ROAD.

| y FROM tHe ANDERSON CIGZette.
~ \ THE RAIL ROAD.
! Mr. Edtor,--The following facts
| in reference 10 the cost of the Greenville and
Columbia Rail Road, and the ability of the
Company to construct it, are submitted for
the purpose of satisfying all concerned, ifit
be possible to do so, that the steam horse,
| courcing over an Iron track at a rate ami
hlating to time and space, will make his
entrance into the Village of Anderson, in
less time than 4 years from the lst day of
January, A, D: l848.
The entire cost of the Rail
Road from Columbia to Ander-
son G. H. according to the esti-
mates made by the Engineers,
using bridge or T Rail weigh
ing II tons to the mile, distance
1873 miles is, S1,294,OOO
Ifit is concluded to lay down
light iron, such as is used upon
most Of the Roads in the Southern
States, | am informed by one Of
the Engineers, $4,000 per mile
may be deducted from the estima-
ties, amounting for 1913 miles,
to 3s4,Ooo
Which reduces the entire cost of
the Road 10 Anderson G.. II. with
light iron to 100000
The amount of stock now sub
scrbed, that will certainly be "a
valuable, is about 65O,OOO
Deduct fiom this, the entire cost
ofgraduation and Bridging TO An
derson G.. H. as, per estimates, the
whole of which may be put under
contract speedily as possible, the
sum of 100000
And we have on hand with which
to lay down superstructure and
iron. $1,000
This sum, at the average cost Of $4,000
per mile, the amount according to the es:;
mates, using the bar iron, will construct rca
dy for the cars, upwards of 63 miles OF the
Road 10 Anderson C.. H.. which will at the
same average cost, AMOUNT to $S262. .535.
Can this additional sum be raised by pri-
vate subscriptions? answer, yes! The
towns and districts interested stand pledged
TO furnish their par, of it, and will do so.
But admitting they should fail us, having the
entire grading aad bridging of the Road to
Anderson G. H. completed, 63 miles ready
for the cars, and the sum Of $3.50, O,0OOexpen-
ded, can we not borrow upon the faith of it,
as the charter requires the Company to do
If necessary. a sum sufficient to finish the
entire work? Does any one doubt it? If
we cannot the Company must be an exceed.
ing poor one, and the enterprise most un-
necessary and useless; f r in this way
majority Of the Rail Roads upon have been
built. The last IS miles completed, the
sum ofS20O,O00 is still required to equip it,
with Engines and Cars, build Depots, wat
er stations and workshops, and to cover all
incidental expenses; and this, l suppose,
there is no doubt may be borrowed quite
conveniently if necessary on the faith Of the
said 65 miles, last completed.
We will thus, have the Road from Col
umbia to Anderson G.. Fl. finished and in
perfect trim for business, even if we should
fail to obtain another dollar by way of sub
scription from any quarter. But this is not
the best way to build Rail Roads If con-
structed on borrowed capital, the Receipts
must of course be set apart for series of
years, for the payment ofthe debt. instead of
going into the pockets of the stockholders,
by way of dividends, and hence it becomes
the duty and interest of every friend to the
enterprise, to go to work in good earnest,
and raise at once: a fund amply sufficient to
cover the entire cost OF the road,
1t may be said however, that the estima-
tes of the Eng ineers are too low. In an
swer to this objection, have TO say, that
they are willing TO back their judgement by
taking the entire work, at the prices fixed,
and therefore the Direction will let no con-
tract above the estimates. As to the time in
which the road may be constructed, j am
informed by one of the engineers in answer
to interrogatories-tha the location may be
completed in SIX months-the grading, brid-
ging, &c. in twelve months, and the super
structure and iron laid down in twelve
months more, making two years and half
from the time the company get properly at
work If we should fail TO obtain nrivate