Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-01-21

And such were the impressions then made
upon my mind, that came to the determination
never TO become personally interested in any
public work, where The capital had to be raised
in small sums drawn from individuals by palri-
otic appeals, or where State aid was required
and obtained, unless the State renquished her
right 10 participate in the management.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, the Chief Engineer of the
Blue Ridge Railroad has read US lesson on the
advantages which have been derived by many OF
our principal cities by the extensions of rail.
roads. Those remarks connected, with the list
of subscribers in Charleston, furnished by the
President: is, think, fit subject for comment
Every body must admit that railroads have a
developing tendency; 10 deny that would ex-
hibit total ignorance of what the spirit of pro.
gress has done for our country; and, may say
for the whole civilized world, during the last
thirty years. And am free to admit that where
they are properly located, carried out, aud man.
aged with spirit and enterprise, that these advan.
tages can scarcely be estimated. That gentle
man cites the increase of the value of property
in Boston as an example: Boston that city
which has OF recent days run mad on an ab-
straclion, and clings 10 niggerdom closer than
even to the aImig ghty dollar That city was
originally opposed to the Tariff, but when it was
forced upon her, she withdrew large portion of
her capital from commerce, and sent it forth into
the country to build up industrial pursuits. She
spread her capital not only over Massachusetts
but the States of New Hampshire Maine, and
| Connecticut.
She damned up rivers, built manufacturing
towns, stimulated agriculture, and every other
branch of industry, and obtained in return a rich
harvest of reproduction. When railroad enter
prises came about, she, with her quadrupled
capital, set about 10 make railroad avenues, and
with her own capital traverseda all Massachusetts,
all New England, and scaled the mountains to-
wards Canada, and the great Erie Canal, in or
der TO bring that great work to contribute to the
wealth of Boston and Of Massachusetts.
Can it be said of Charleston that she is not
able TO build her own commercial outlets? Were
it not that the bungng legislation of this State
has fenced her out from the back country, she
would long since have cut out ways for her
commerce in every direction. The exclusive
charter granted TO the South Carolina Railroad
Company has shut her out, and has been the
means Of transferring millions of her capital to
other cities. No, Mr.. Speaker 1t will only be
necessary to show the Charleston capitalists 4
practical scheme and one which promises prof.
table results, in which our politicians cannot
meddle, and they will be found to be as ready
and as able contributors as the citizens of any
place in the Union. Charleston is asleep and
slothful, because you have made her so; and she
helped you to do it.
Here is q list of stockholders, which speaks
volumes, and it is proof conclusive to my mind
that the wealthy merchants andF1t 6escspi taksts
Of Charleston neitbeE belissAs igl :
as apro6ta table snaeaksl9 ~ = IS
10 materially enhance her tradeS5y
Leaving out those who have subscribed to
take dictatorship, find that only one gentle
man has subscribed ten shares out of the four
daily papers that made so much dust in getting
up the breeze for the Blue Ridge road, only two
have subscribed one share each. Seven mer-
chants, two hundred dollars, and one hundred
and eighty-siX individuals, one share, of one
hundred dollars each-they are principally mer.
chants whose busnes, would be- doubled, it the
Blue Ridge brought Charleston an increase Of
trade that would even approximate to what some
seem to have anticipated. The ls6 individuals
subscribed just as little as they could put down,
! and get clear of those who were pressing them
TO subscribe. Why, the chimney sweeps and
shoe blacks Of Boston would do better than that
if in earnest.
Need we speak Of Boston alone look at Bal.
timore Her merchants and capitalists subscribed
| to The Baltimore and Ohio road stock 10 the
amount OF S5,432, 10000, the city corporation
S3,500,0U0.0 00 subscr ption, and S3,5OO,O 900. 90
loan. Maryland subscribed to that work $685..
10000. The city of Wheeling $500, 1000 .O0.
How much the State of Maryland has loaned
that company does not appear in their reports !;
| 4 loan by State is very different matter from
i subscription, for in that case the State does
not medde with the management.
South Carolina has great deal to do inter.
nally, without cutting roads through the noun.
Trims TO foster The commerce of cities. If she
will conine herself to loans, as is the case in
Tennessee, individual capital and management
will then prevail; she could scarcely in that case
place herself in wrong position, and might
safely incur large debt in that way, in promo.
ting the general welfare of the State. If that
had been the undertaking rule of the LeeisIa-
lure, it would not have been besieged as il was
in 1853 and 1854. 1t was astonishing to wit.
ness the influences that were brought to bear
upon the Lcgislalu at The last onset for the
Blue Ridge Railroad in 1854. The city of Char
lesion having been drawn into it, all of her in
lluence was brought to bear upon the Legisla-
ture. The South Carolina Railroad Company
having nothing TO lose, and everything to gain
BY it, she of course joined the clamor. The
Bank Of the State, another powerfully inhuen.
lal institution. always ready TO show how the
State can get out of debt through her surpl,a
earnings, she too joined the cIamor, and the
President of the Bank was as busy an. advocate
for The appropriation 10 the Blue Ridge Rail.
road, as could be found about Columbia.
Whether impressions were made by him or
others, certain it is, that some members voted for
the appropriation, under the dolusve idea that
thes Bank OF The State was to pay off the bonds.
God save the State of South Carolina from 90
frail reliance as political bank, 20 sustain her
crodit in time of trouble. Eloquent appeals by
Charleston men to excite the patriotism of gen.
tcmen on this floor; The young men were called
on to come TO the rescue of South Carolina.
just as though our State was to 90 into ruin.
diIapidation and disaster, if the bill failed to pass
the House.
The Grcenvic Railroad. Its influence was
secured by expectations that it was to be the
outlet, and so with the Savannah Valley road.
1t was also 10 be an outlet, and wanted aid from
the State. The Cheraw and Darlington Road
wanted State aid, and so did Tic Northeastern,
and the Charlos..ccn Tn and Savannah Roads. The
fria" of The above named establishments, and
others could name, had all TO fall into tho
ranks with the Blue Ridge men, or they were to
be read out. Then comes old Edgefeld. The
members from that quarter had the expectation
I of u splendid railroad, right through the centre
of the District to Aiken.