Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-12-07
rad
rdrOS
If VIII!

- - . SUCH Il highway Of trade aaI
travel through the State will exercise great
influence upon her internal prosperity The
improvement Of the upper portions OF the
State-thc increase in the value of property
the many increased facilities it will give
for commcrcc-the employment Of their ia.
Dor in construction-tho expenditure OF
a. sums among them for material anl me.
'r,.> al skill--and tie increased valnc that
will be pi:en to stock in railroad companies
.!!.cady in existence, in which the State also
is largely interested ARC considerations
which must influence your calm Judgment to
promote by every safe and iulicious means
the successful accomplishment Of this great
work.
Ry the communication which was estab-
lishcd by the charter between this depart
ment and the Blue Ridge Railroad Comp1-
ny. have been enabled to ascertain, that by
the terms of contract between Messrs. Bangs
l. Co., the work WAS to be commenced on
the first of this month-and that a large por-
ton of the surveys are comp. ted, aud ionnu
TO present fewer obstacles than was at lirst
supposed 4 location has been made for tun'
nelIi ,g the Blue Ridge, and work allotted to
contractors,-that their preliminary arran se'
mcnts are in state of forwardness,-that
the Districts through which the Road will
pass in this State will abundanlly supply all
the necessary labor,-that the citizens both
in this State and beyond it have with extra
ordinary unanim;ty ceded the right OF way
without compensation that every cir.
cumstancc tends favorably TO an early and
thorough completion of this cnterpn'e,'
which was projected by tho President ana
Company with 50 much patriotism and zeal,
and prosecuted with such signal industry and
ability.
have thus laid before you at some LENGTH
but as briefly as possible, all the facts in my
possession with regard to the condition OF
the Blue Ridge Railroad enterprise. now
recommend that the State subscribe to the
capital stock of the company the sum o!
S75O,OO2, in order to put the enterprise be-
vond tue reach Of ordinary reverses, and III
this way TO secure to the citizens resulting III
this State the coutrol of Il majority OF the
stock of the Company, in reference to tile
contingencies which may frequently arise,
where trade aud commerce are to be con
,rolIed for our benefit. Nor would such Il
step be unusual or partial, since the Legs.
lature has not only extended important aid
10 railroads constructed entirely within the
State, but to roads which have been project.
ed beyond its limits, as in the case OF the
Charleston, Louisville and Cincinnati Rail
road, and in the Wilmington and Manches-
ter Railroad. The endorsement of the bonds
of the Blue Ridge Railroad Company cannot
be regarded as IA SUBSCRIPTION, for it is totally
dissimilar in its character, and lar less 3ene-
ficial in its operation. In the one case the
State becomes Il copartner, and rlsks ner
capital, and awaits the distant returns OF DIV
ilends; in the latter case she simply makes
herself as an enIorser, and takes the hrst
mortgage on the property of the stockhold'
ers to secure herself against tho posslhll ty
Of loss.
Undoubtedly the most important measure
which shall bring to your consideration Is
the reformation of the present system ol
, public instruction il the State.
#; as has been frequently stated, education