Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-09-12
FOR THE ADVERTISER. .
Plank Reads

Mr.. EDlToR,-ln. again recurring to the
subject Of Plank Eads, propose 10 show
their advantage, in sorrc respects, over
Rail Roads,. On the great routes from the
Atlantic Cities to the valley of tue VI
sissippi, where hundreds Of travellers pass
daily, Rail Roads possess as great advan-
tage over Plank Roads, as lbe Ia,ler do
over common Roads. No one, I'presume,
would advocate the introduction Of Plank
Roads on these great routes, fot-purpuses
of travel. 1t is in agricultural countries,
where the population is sparce,. as with us.
that Plank Roads possess great advantages
over Rail Roads.
In The first place, the cost Of Plank
Road, ready for use. is only about one
tenth of the cost Of Rail Road, ready for
use. Il include in this, Locomotive, Pas.
senser and Freight Cars. Water Tanks,
&c.) The cost Of attendants for Plank
Road, is less than one tenth, of what il is
on Rail Road. The money expended
for Iron. Locomotives, Cars. &C., for a
Rail Road is sent out Of The State, while
The amount expended for Plank Road, is
retained in the State, and even in tho
District. The Timber is here, aud needs
only Steam Engine, 10 convert il inio
Lumber. The Labor is among US, aud
needs only proper direction, to be avaiIa Z.
BILE. When completed, the Road will be
here, accessible to every one. benef,ins
every one, injuring no one. aud gcan be
used at all times, and al all hours, by the
ponr and rich, old aud young. Iris some-
what different with Rail Roads. Having
certain hours of departure, The traveller is
obliged TO leave, when The regulation Of
The Company requires, or he cannot travel
at all.
Many arc of opinion. that if.lhe Rail
Road was near them, they have only 10
transport their Cotton 10 The nearest point
on the Rail Road, and that they will re.
ceve their supplies brough, by the Road
at The same point. Such will sometimes
be the case, but not generally. "A Rail
Road may pass through mans plana.
lion, and within twenty yards Of his Gin
House, and unless there is a station or turn
out at the place, he may be compelled TO
wagon his Cotton, and other produce. five
or six miles TO station and still The Com.
pany may he disposed 10 grant him every
accommodation. Turn,outs are expen.
sive, and are only constructed where the
wants Of the Company require. The
trains have their regular time ofdeparture,
and if they are stopped on single track,
10 take on Cotton, OF other produce, they
Interfere with other trains, besides, it
would be necessary to take hands on the
train to load, and if The Company were
disposed 10 accommodate. they would be
prevented by circumstances. There are
other objections. 10 shipping cotton, by Rail
Road, when left at turn.outs or stations,
ii often lies for days. exposed to the wea-
lher, until a Car load is collected, or it is
convenient for the way train TO take il on.
If planter is subjected TO The trouble Of
loading and unloading his wagon, If he
was near Plank Road, he would prefer
sending his Couon in that wuy 10 market.
No one, | presume, .supposes that Rail
Road from Hamburg to Edse6elj, would
pay per cent dividend. The principal
advantage expected 10 be obtained when
that project was asitated, was to facilitate
The transportation Of produce, and which
have endeavored TO show, could be ac.
complished by Plank Roads Many be-
lieve Rail Road from Hamburg TO Edge
field, would not pay the expense Of run.
uing the Cars. In evidence of This. they
cite the case of the Portsmouth and Roa-
nuke Rail Road. 1t vas in operation
several years, when not paying running
expenses. the stockholders were assessed,
TO dclray the expense Of running The Cars.
Finding j, an expensive business, the road
was abandoned, and no Car has run over
it for several years the road is still there,
striking proof, that Rail Roads are not
profitable in sparsely populated country,
like ours.