Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-04-01

~ CuMpaNh VI ScHtiSihSu W 4<''SSiiSio LIS
trict. with il few individuals of Charleston, pro.
pose to build plank road from this city to the
mountains. The plan, is to commence at
Charleston and proceed to the vicinity of ABB
bcville Court House, taking the direction Of the
South Carolina Railroad, and crossing the
Edisto between Branthyille and Orangeburg;
there striking the dividing idge between the two
| Edistocs which leads without crossing water,
to the ridge which divides the waters OF the Sa-
vannah and Salnda There is probably no To-
| cation in the United States which will afford
easier average grades--they may certainly be
| reduced to l in so both ways as far rs Abbe-
vile, and beyond that to Pendlet"n | in 30
| Among the great Improvements which charac-
terise the present age of progress, aud which
have so materially aided in difiusing the COM
forts of human lie, tie plank-Toad is destined
to occupy prominent place. Good common
roads tend to change the condition OF the far
mer wherever they are extended; the plank
road gives him thoroughiare infinitely supe-
rior to any other not excepting the railroad;
this superiority CONSISTS in its peculiar adapta-
ton to the wants of people who necessarily
maintain large number of horses which are
fed and kept in idlrness at Il season of the year
when crops are sent to market; a motive pow.
er which would carry crop to market on
plank road without cost except for tolls. The
travelling community will, by the same means,
move without being subject to the rules and
regulations Of others, as to the time, speed or
! eqpipage in which they may desire to travel.
The cheapness and facility with which plank
roads may be constructed in our State, need on
" to bemade known to produce 4 change which
shall in few years annihilate one of the great
est evils known to our country mud and
mire through which our bulky and valuable pro-
ducts are yearly dragged to market.
In many parts Of our country this is source
of involuntary hermitage; for days journey
is not attainable except through roads which
seem to have concentrated all tue evils that
could embarrass traveller. Pank.roads, by
| penetrating our forests, will find materials for
their construction, and afterwards afford the
means of CARRYING them into portions of our
State where timber has been exhausted.
They will be the means, when introduced,
of redeeming and settling lands hitherto con-
sidered useless, and will so expedite travel as to
bring a large range of surrounding country so
near to us, as to be-, as it We're, the environs of
our city. The plank-road is the road OF the
people, open to all, allordng relief to the beast
Of burden, multiplying and c!leapcning the ia
ciies for carrying produce to market, and al-
fordimg Il delightful means of travel.
We can trace their origin to Russia, but are
unable tn fix the date. They were introduced
into Canada in 1884, into Newly urk in lS46,
and recently into North Carolina, Georgia, and
other Southern as well as Western States--
They have superseded McAdanzed roads, and
in some instances have maintained o successful
competition with railroads. Even in countries
where stone is plenty and wood comparatively
scarce, they are one.half cheaper than Mead
amizcd roads, and one tenth of the cost of rail.
roads.
Where constantly used by burden wagons,
they are more durable and less costly than
Nc AdamizcI roads, inclading the outlay ncceS
sary to relay the plank road once III nine years.
4 mule may draw twice as great load on Il
plank road rs he can on Il McAdamized road,
travel with greater speed and more ease to him.
self, while there will be less wear to the vehi-
Gle which he draws.
The State of New \ ork the first TO introduce
them, has in five years extended this species of
improvement over Il thousand miles, all Of which
is now completed and in daily use.
In the whole history of Internal improvements
there is scarcely any thing which surpasses the
rapdty with which this system has developed
itself. Plank-roads, by the side of railroads, in
New York, are paying from 10 to ID per cent.
interest, and carrying passengers at two cents
mile.
WILL, ,yo cnn otbnr States prorrrsSiuu i'm