The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-05-29
AB5EvlLE AND WASHINGTON RAIL ROAD.

This enterprise sccir,s to have been for
gotten. Why is it so? Is there no neccs-
sity for Rail Road from ALbcviIle to
Washington, Ga? Do those Immediately
interested think it impracticaJle, or are they
fearful Of their inability to raisc the requi-
site amount of stock to build the road |?
Some such considerations rs these mus.
have had their weight in determining the
tate OF this project, rs no organized effort
has been made 10 build the road since the
charter was obtained from the Legisl:.-
turc.
1t may be important, even Mt this late
hour, to give some reflection to this subject.
Though we may, as an individual, derive
no personal benefit from it, we cannot di-
vest ourselves of that interest in this or anv
other road, which would force us to advo-
cate their construction, where the wants
and necessities Of community demand
them. 1t is perhaps more important that
attention should be directed to this enter
prize at this particular time, as there is an
effort now being made in upper Georgia TO
secure an air line Rail Road from Atlanta
to Anderson G. H., the building of which
wonld lessen materially the probabilities of
road from this place to Washington, Ga.
The distance is only forty miles, and allow
ing something over $4,000 per mile, the
road could be built for 100000. Georgia
is willing TO build the road to Savannah
river, half the distance, leaving only twen-
ty miles for lis to build, at a cost of $780,
900.
The Greenvillc Road, whose financial
condition will not permit her to subscribe
largely to it, would certainly take stock in
payment of freight on iron and other ma.
tcrials which may pass over her track for
this road. This Of itself would perhaps
reduce the cost of the road on this side of
the river $4,000, leaving only 1925, 900
TO be subscribed by the people of Able
vile.
After the questions of the practicability
o. the route, and the means with which to
construct the road have been determined,
the next inquiry is, will it sustain itself if
oWt' AS general rule, short roads, un-
less they are the connecting links between
other 'oads, will be improbable. This
road will possess this advantage: 1t will
afford shorter route for the great line of
travel from the Western States to the
North. Besides being the shortest route,
1t may be able to get the contract for car
rying tho Western mail, which, at. 5000
per mile, would pay nearly one-fourtl, The
interest on the capital that will be required
to complete the road; and the road could
certainly derive the other three-fourths from
freight and passengers. This would be
paying per cent. dividend. The interest
on cost of construction would be $35. 600 ::
and if it should get $4,000 for carrying the
mails, it would leave only $4,000 to come
from passengers and freight, to mako it q
profitable investment. - =
We merely throw out a few hastv .uo.
gestions, hoping that an organized, effort
w,!ls sooa be made 70 carry out this enter.
prize successfully. ..~%
! E1An 9 Early Rising A.seeiation' l,as
just been formed ii tie ,tksiyine md znon..
ious to~as Of liiddlesbrS IA stHSs ,s.,,,s.
hars ara ~ ~, a - =