The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-11-16
From the Anderson Gazctte.1
The Greenvilla and Columbia Railro

Mr.. Editor: In reading your remark.
in reference to the high rates Of freights and
fare upon the Grcenville and Columbia Rail
road, think you have mad vertently fallen
into error, in some of your statements and
conclusions, and feel confident that YOU
would promptly correct the same, if satisfied
they were calculated to mislcad or deceive.
In your first article, October the 10th. Won
state that merchants can get their goods
transported on wagons at a cheaper rate
than they can on the Railroad" If this is
really the case, then the GreenviIlea sand Co.
Iumbla Railroad may be charged with in
creasing tho rate of freights to the detri-
ment OF their own company and the public.
But let us examine the subject, and SEQ
how 1t will result. Formerly, freights by
wagon from Hamburg to Anderson, dis
tance OF 100 miles, averaged from 81 SO
per 100 lbs, to 62 l-2 per 100 lbs,-usual.
" about IS cts. per 100 lbs. BY Railroad
from Columbia to Anderson, distance
OF % miles, few articles are charged as
h'gh as rs cts. per 100 lbs Sugar, Iron,
and large class Of goods, pay but SO cts.
per 100 lbs; while the great staples of the
country are charged as follows Cotton
81 Ia per 100 lbs. Wheat 10 cts. per
bushel-about l6 cts. per 100 lbs. Corn
lo cts: per bushel-not 20 cts. per 100
lbs. Flour 40 cts. per barrel-not 20 cts.
per 100 lbs: In sack, 25 cts. per lbs. Ar
t,cles OF prime necessity pay as follows
Salt, a bushels,) SO cts. perssack. Bacon,
40 cts. per 100 lbs. Molasses, 80 cts. per
100 lbs.-And by reference to the whole
schedule of freights, it will probably appear
that the whole average will not exceed 35
cts. per 100 lbs. The wagon transportation
will hardly equal these rates in cheapness.
Now compare the cost of transportation
to the traveller with former modes of stap-
ing and private conveyance, and you will
find the difference greatly in favor of the
ia'lroad, with saving Of one or two days
time, according to the mode used
Again, in your last article you state, that
"they, (the Directors,) pay neither freight or
passage, and hence have no idea of the
weight Of their new tariff, Lut our merchants
who do pay feel it, and their customers
feel it."
Now, Mr. Editor, where did you get such
information That the Directors pay no fare
is conceded, but if you will enquire into the
truth OF this statesnent, YOU will doubtless
find that they pay the same freights with the
great public. But suppose the Directors
did receive this additional favor from the
Company, would it be an adequate compcn-
sation for their services and devotion to the
interest Of the Company? In these particu-
lars think your remarks erroneous, and
calculated to do oinjury both to the Company,
and the trade of the Town Of Anderson.
That there should always in every commu-
nifty be some disposed to cavil and complain,
is by no means surprising; but is it exactly
tair and right, that the stockholders of this
Company should be deprived forever, of any
return of their Stock. Those who have no
stock in such. Companies, should at least, be
silent, and if,they can haul their goods to
and fromsHamburg onwagons cheaper than
by Railroad from Columbia, do 80, without
abuse Of the Greenville and Columbia Rail
road Company. If the stockholders of this
Company should disapprove of the present
policy-it is their province to correct it.
Others who are not profited yet enough by
it, should at once take Stock in the Sayan-
nah Valley Railroad, and by completing this
work, be; a6lo to compete on more equal
torms, than by wagons. B.