The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-11-14
THE CAN MDEN J0URN AL
"Wednesday Morning, November ID, 1910.
- :
w. TIIURLOW CASTON, EDITOR.
PLANK ROAD.

We earnestly commend to the attention Of our
readers the communication on this subject, found in
another column, from &c North Carolin, Planter"
We are glad 10 learn that the bcnfls of such Road
arc beginning to awaken attention In that quarter-
We assure our readers that the article is from prac
tbIc aud Influential citizen Of that Staconc who has
always bcen found in the front rank Of every enterprise
Of good. Ii reply 10 his suggestion we answer that
the idea Of running a Plank Road 10 Charlotte has
long since been abandoned, and we hear Of no other
proposition than that the Road should strike the Nort,
Carolina line at point deemed moot advantageous in
securing the trade Of Union county, and neghborng
portions Of MeckIenburg Cabarrus and Anson. The
direction the Road shall nkc in that State is not for
us TO say; our citizens must stop at the line. They
however will be found ready 10 operate in giving the
Road such location will prove most beneficial
The suggestions of correspondent relative 10 the
dangers of running it 10 Charlotte Concord seem to
US 10 be wise, and worthy Of consideration. IF they
be avoided by taking direct line TO Monroe Court
House, our citizens will promptly adopt it. The
route between tie Charlotte Rail Roud and PEG Dec
River, does certainly appear 10 be the proper one
The stay and support" Of market lie in that d..
rccon. The future prosperity-we almost said the
future cxiscnco-of Camden depends upon the trade
of that section. II is valuable, and other towns and
interests by erecting Rail Roads and Plank Roads,
straining every to secure it, Our correspondent
we'll understands the advantages Of market und the
facilities needed by his neighbo.. Is it not strange,
that this Plank Road, in which the interests Of pco
pie arc so deeply concerned has not received grcatcr
attention among u.s. Is it not astonishing, Tint others
at distance so we'll comprehend the ncaculable i'm.
porance Of such Road to market, while our own
sumbering away the time, and ncglcctlng opportun.
ties to arrest the Tide Of events that is fast preparing 10
sweep away tho trade Of our Town, and the manifold
advantages expected 10 follow the completion Of our
Rail Road Unless that Plank Road is constructed,
the commercial importance of Camden is doomed 10 q
short existence. We believe il. and hesitate not to
assert that is tho only hope for the future prosperity Of
our market With the danger OF losing the up coun.
try trade staring people full in the face. is it not
truly astonishing that 10 avert it, our capitalists have
not been more thoroughly aroused-that companies
have not been formed-lhst subscriptions have not
hcen made, and the work at once commenced7 Time
will not now permit US 10 say more. We do hope
that the suggestions Of our correspondent will receive
the consideration they deserve and that his practical
mind will continue 10 favor us with views on this i'm.
portont enterprise.
Last week. it was recommended 10 onr Town Coun.
ell to test the efficiency of Plank Roads by erecting
track in our streets that those coming in from the up
country might and judge for themselves Of the prac.
ticabty of the improvement. 1t has been since sug.
gesled proper plan 10 effect the desired object that
q few ontcrprising citizens raise funds by voluntary
subscriptions, for lin purpose Of laying down track
in the upper end OF Town, for short distunce sufi.
cienty long TO test plainly its advantages. The idea
is good onc and should u once be carried out. Tho
people do not understand it, and they desire informa
tion They never be expected to embark in tho
undertaking until they do see The system in operation.
One hundred yards, fifty, yes twenty five yards pro-
petly laid down, at point where they test it by
running their wagons it, aud examining the mode
of its construction, would prove q more successful
mode of argument llan columns Of newspaper. A
C.w hundred dollars would be sufficient and surely
there arc men among US liberal enough 10 contribute
TO the experiment.