The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-05-02
THE RAILROAD,

readers TO the communication below over th
signature Of "a Stakeholder" Tho mat
tiers discussed. viz: the extension Of III
Road TO Knoxville-tbe proper location n
tho line north Of the river, and tho sub
iect of the Work shops of the Company
are of the highest interest TO the s,ockhol
ders and to tho public. and should be takeI
into serious consideration by all true friend
Of the road. Reod the communication o
our correspondent, who promises to resume
the subject ngain in some future member o.
our paper.
For the Athens Post.
To THE EDIToR-T am induced by wha,
I conceive TO be the importance of the suh.
ject. 10 offer through the medium Of your
columns, few suggestions IN reference to
the future policy Of tho East Tennessee and
Georgia Rail Road. Company. Upon the
present and future government of the road
depends in a great degree tho value Of its
stock, the prosperity of the Company, and
the general interest Of the community al
large. A wise administration Of its affairs
ust as the road is going into operation will
pr oduce largo and lnsting benefits. while a
single injudicious movement might be the
means of great injury.
1t can be readily demonstrated that the
road will pay when completed and in suc-
cessfu' operation as far as the Tennessee
river. II is equally clear that before i,
reaches that point it cannot more than pay
tho expenses attending its operations.-
These two ideas have hitherto controlled the
Company in all their efforts to push the
work rapidly to completion 10 that point
II is ALEC admitted that when the road
touches the river. the largest portion of
East Tennessee will participate in the ben.
Gifts resulting from its construction. To
reach that point many sacrifices have been
made by the Company. large debt will
have been incurred, and the stockholders
have suffered largely in the depreciation OF
their interest in the improvement. Blu. not,
wi,hstanding all this the stockholders in
common with The community. have hailed
with delight and entire satisfaction. the cer>
tain prospects Of its early completion to
the river, and have with one voice applaud.
cd the Directory for the means brought into
rcquis,ion for the accomplishment of that
object. A road eighty miles long through
an exceedingly fertile country, tapping RI
yer which drains SO large region as upper
East Tennessee, is road for the construc.
ton Of which sacrifices might we'll be made.
The question then rccurs, shall the Com.
pany complete the road to Knoxville! Tn.
questionably, I answer; but ho,u is it to be
done is the point now of the utmost interest
10 the stockholders to decide. At Blairs'
Ftfry the road will declare dividends. Un-
less, therefore. the remainder of the road to
Knoxville can he constructed for the actual
valus Of the work done and materials furn-
ished. it certainly cannot be the policy Of
he Company to extend it any further
Enough of sacrifices and dopreciations in
nSience have been made. 1t is due to
! CONF, nitat some return should now
made 10 them for their immanso -
,ntinued outlay. As q stakeholder, tRefe:f
IRE, having on interest as such and as a
tizen of the community, it will be my pol.
y kenceforth 10 suffer no further deprecia-
ons, but wha!eye: work is done after its
ompletion to the Tennessee river must be
aid for IN cash or securities at their par
slue. And this know from consulate n
nth gentlemen upon this subject who are
,rpely interested in the stock Of The Com'
any, 10 be the feeling Of many OF the
Al the next election of Di.
ec,ors this subject will be prominent one
,efore the minds Of the Convention, and
I'M much mistaken if the result Of that elec'
on will not show that this is the inevi'
able policy 10 be pursued in the future
mana cement Of the road.
In connection with this Subject another
presents itself IN reference to
he economy ofths Company. Z alIude to
he proper location of the road between the
river and Knoxville. In the location Of all
railroads the shortest and cheapest routes
should Of course be selected. having refer
snos alsabl9,.he largest area 10 be benefited
BY the location. Now from the river to
Knoxville it is understood that there are two
lines 10 be taken into the accoun, -one rum
ming up through the river hills, and the other
By the way Of Ho,chkiss'. and what is known
IS the Grassy ValIIes. Msny considera'
tons incline me TO the opinion that the lat.
ter route should by all means be selected
Il all hnnoes h. 4.