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

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: characterised by no more appropriate term than
convulsion, for in a state of teversh excitement
she expended millions of dollars in works for
which the country was not prepared, and which
| proved to be a waste of money. The amount
Of capital expended in those useless canals,
would have constructed McAdamIzed roads to
every important section Of our State, serving,
at that rerod, to cheaper the transit OF pro-
duce to market, and at this time as a basis for
the plank road, so admirably adapted to our
country, and which, in my opinion, is destined
to supersede all other modes of transit
Railroads are expensive in their first outlay,
and extremely complicated and expensive TO
keep up. They seldom improve the country
through which they pass, and are beneficial to
cities only, by reaching sections OF country
which have no natural outlets, and which are
beyond the reach Of a wagon trade, over good
common roads. They are profitable to stock
holders only when located OIL great thorough
fares for travel, and where they can be used to
| extend the commerce of a city. Out of the
5000 miles of railroad now in use in the U.
States, it is surprising to learn how few OF them
yield profit commensurate to the capital which
has been invested in their construction. 1t GER
tainly ought to admonish US against injudicious
selections of the mode of improving the high
ways of the State, and of the fatal consequent
ces eff exhausting the energy and capital of a
country to construct works which, however gi-
gantic in their conception, will not prove sutii-
cieutly useful to pay for keeping them up.
allude to the present state of public sentiment
from no unkind feelings towards the railroads
now being projected and in progress in our
State, but from settled conviction that public
opinion, in this particular, is entirely III error.
Railroads are neces ;arily costly works, and
ought not to be attempted except by capitalists
for bona fde investment. When there is.not a
sure prospect of profitable returns, capitalitalist
will not lend their aid, and the work has to be
commenced by exciting appeals TO patriotism,
and plausible arguments as to the advantages
which will accrue to every individual through
whose neighborhood it may pass. The work
! is often commenced after receiving promises for
but half the capital necessary to complete 1t,
depending on loans for the balance; and when
completed is found to have cost more than the
| estimates, thus starting under the disadvantage
of heavy debt Then comssathe great dti-
Guilty. which is the pth Of the argument i'll favor
of other modes of improving the highways Of
5. Carolina,-Imcau the large outlays necessa-
ry for the purchase of complicated machinery,
the erection of bishops, to keep it in repair,
the necessity for high sallricd olhcers, suchas
President, Treasurer, Auditor, Agent OF Trans
portation, Civil Engineer, aud foreman fwork-
shops; also skilu workers in iron and wood,
painters, upholstererS, receivers and dellYerers
of freight, laborcrs to load and unload, reyl-
meut of clerks and book-kcepers, working en-
gueers, conductors, iiremen, &c. 10 all OF
| these ralnilication OF expense, the extent OF
which is scarcely conceivable by the best i'll
formed in such matters, must be added the wear
of iron and decay Of timber, slow but sure, i'll
their eventual destruction Of property, and which
cannot he neglected even for day. Much dl-
vrrsity of opinion exists among railroad mana
ger, us to the extent which railroad compa-
nies should engage in tic manufacture and re-
pair Of machinery; il my opinion, large sums:
of money have been wasted III this way, and
the extent of such establishments ought to be
decided by the facilities immediatcl y at hand to
have the work done by private contract. All
interior roads would be under the actual neces-
sity of doing such work for themselves, howcv-
er costly it might prove to be- The workshops
now being erected by the South. Carolina Rail
road Company in this place, are on an eXten-
sive scale. Without pretending to enter into
auy argument as to the policy, do not hesi.
tate to express the opinion that when this es- .
tablishmSpt is fully equipped with men and ma.
! chinery; that in tie absence OF the most con-
summate skill in managing, it will sink, i'll the
wear and tear Of machinery, waste OF material.
and iniudicious application OF tmechanical labor,
! -, l,.,r..r su,u nor :uuum than would be nrceS-