The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-05-18
The Aiken and Dorm Survey of the savan-
nah Valley Railroad

nah Valley Railroad.
The survey of this route, we perceive, has
been commenced and considerable Dor
ton OF it has been completed. We are i'll
formed, that SO far as the survey has been
completed, the most sanguine expectations
OF its friends have been more TIN realized.
From Aiken to Edgcfield there will not be
4 single culvert reguired-and the excava-
tions and embank,nents will be but slight.
Beyond Edgefield village, in the direction
OF Dorn's,-so far as the survey has advan-
ced, a distance of ten miles, tho grade
will be easy, and no serious obstacles are
found to exist. 1t is now understood that
in the Course of two or three weeks, the
able and indcfatigablc Engineer, Major
Arms, will be able to submit a full report to
the President and Directors of the Savan-
nah Valley Railroad, on the cost, practicable
ity, &c., DC, of this road. from Dorn's to
Aiken. We see from the Edgefeld Adver-
tiscr that there is considerable enthusiasm
felt by the citizens of Edgcfeld in behalf
of this survey; and we doubt not but that
they are prepared to come forward, with
hearty will, in furnishing substantial aid to-
ward the construction of this connection
with the Savannah Valley Road. The route
surveyed will pass within short distance of
the village of Edgefield, and will divcrpe
but little from a direct line from Aiken to
Dorn's. The distance will be about forty
miles from Aiken to Dorn's. 1t is supposed
that the cost of the whole road will be about
100000. Two hundred thousand dollars
OF this sum will be raised in EdgcGeld.
Has Charleston any interest in this Road
We think she has. In the first place, by the
building OF this connection with the Savan-
nah Valley Road, Charleston will have
direct connection with the Rabun Gap Road,
at Anderson. We say direct, because it
will only bo divergence of about ten miles
from an air line between Aiken to Anderson.
1t is now generally conceded that an air
line route from Aiken to Anderson is imprac.
ticable-lst, because it will then be too near
to tho Columbia and Grcenville Road for
good neighborship, and hence can have no
support along the line already occupied Jv
another road 2d because the air line route
would be much more costly than slight
divergence, as proposed by the route now
under consideration. In addition to these
considerations against an air line from Aiken
to Anderson, and in favor of slightly diverg-
ing line to the West, there arc other con-
siderations not less potent. Charleston
wants direct communication with the Ra-
bun Gap Road. But she wants more. She
wants as cheap road as possible, rs profita-
bIe a road rs possible, and one that will pick
up by the way as much ne,o custom as pos
slble. Will the Aiken and Dorm and Saw
annail Road answer all these purposes for
Charleston We think it will. This con-
nectlon with the Rabun Gap can be had
at cost to all the different interests con-
centrated in Charleston Of about S4OO 1000.
Gould these different interests EXPECT so
great boon at less cost2 Would the
great city of Charleston itself, unaided by
other interests clustered around her, feel IN
wiling to render SO small an aid, in the ac-
complishment OF so desirable and impor-
tant an ends The small interior city of
Augusta was willing to have giyen even
more than this sum to the Savannah Valley
hoad if this company had been wiIlino to
nave consulted her peculiar interests in the
location of the Savannah Valley Road Il
cannot surely be that Charleston. in her en-
eelPflse' would suffer herself to be outstrip-
pea oy her country neighbor, Augusta. We
undertake to say that Charleston can get
no such connection as is now proposed to be
gwen to her, with the Rabun Gan Road At
as little cost as that now asked of her. As
20 the profitable character of this road. wa
mean the Savannah Valley Road, with its
branches to Charleston, by the way Of Aiken.
ana 70 Hamburg and Augusta, directly
down the valley of the Savannah river. 4
does seem to us that no proof can be reouir-
Ell to make it manifest. The Rabun Gan
completed, there is no qustion but that this
road will be the great Morougl.fare of travel
g ana transportation, not only for the pro-
dnce destined for Charleston, but for that
intended for Hamburg, Augusta and Savau-
nan: must be good paying road. If|
Cnarleston wants to open to herself new
neld. here again she will be: secured BY this
road: The Savannah Valley country has AL
ways belonged to Augusta, by reason Of the
savannah river navigation, and the vieinaee
( Of Augusta to this portion Of Carolina
TINS valley will be penetrated from Ham
ourg almost to the mountains, by the Sa-
vannah Valley. Road. The zconiect;on Of
TIE Aiken and Dom; Branch will BRING
a. OF the richest portion ;of. this valley into
dltsct communication with Charleston: We
nsk nothing in saying, that Of all tie upper
portion pe South Carolina this is among, The
most wealthy and highI y9altiyated Of fha1n1
al; and the new feid thus opened IN
Charleston :yin be ,ssosth Ill she ia called an
TO snbscElbe. Wethipk that mahaye shovn
that Charleston ese,y poipt Of view, d