Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-10
VOLUME XYIV.---No. 81,
From the Charleston Courier.
General Taxes of the Upper Division

General Taxes Of the Upper DIVISION.
Editors Courier Permit E!e to return you
thanks for the very flattering notice you have
/ taken of mr. Statistics of Taxes for the Upper
Division. With true Carolina pride, 1 looked
over the evidence of our prosperity, furnished
by these returns; but yet hesitated in placing
them before the public, lest ! should be char
ged with presumption in assuming position
more appropriate to my superiors. In view,
however, of the discussions that are likely to
arise on the subject of extending our railroad
facilities, and with the evidence before me OF
what railroads have already done for u.s.:
determined On the course to pursue, let people
say what they would:
No man, however, from cold and lifeless fig-.
ures, canshave an adequate conception Of the;
benefits conferred upon the Upper; Division Of:
the State by our railroads. Those Of ussanly
who have come down to a good Old agey'and;
marked successive improvements as they arose,
Gun fully appreciate the magnitude and tex
ture of our Indebtedness to railroad communi..
cations. We have seen the log meeting house
give place to the beautiful temple, the old field
'chooi house to the hourishing college, the
hickory pole chair to the elegant carriage, the
lsolian harpof few horse hairs at the window
to the fine piano in the parlor, and the rough
and-noisy Frylic' to the refined and social
Ball" In one word, the people of the back
country are different people to what they
we're thirty or forty years ago. In religion,
in morals, in opinions, and in pursuits, they
have made an advance that must be highly
gratifying 10 every lover Of his country, to
every friend of lis race.
Much has been said about the expense and
cost Of constructing our rail roads, and espe.
tially about the construction of the Blue
Rail Road let us bestow few thoughts on
these very important subjects, and first on the
railroads now in operation.
1t will, think, be generally conceded, that
the increased value Of our real estate, since
the introduction Of railroads. will more than
cover tile cost Of their construction; and if
any remain scepiical on the subject thoy may
easily Le converted. The cost of constructing
all our, railroads has been put down at
slS,5O0,OOO. Eighteen millions five undred
thousand dollars.) Nowwe have in the Upper
Division of the State alone, l2,233,7G4 acres.
OF lane. Before the introduction of railroads,
lands that now sell for five and six dollars,
sold for 20 to 10 cents an acre. Lands that
now command eisht.to ten dollars could then
be got for two to three dolr $, and lands that
now cannot be purchased for twenty dollars
an acre, could then be had at five to seven
dollars an acre. Lut us then put.the average
advance only at 4 dollar and Il half an acre,
and We have rs the leanlr, an advance in the
Upper Division alone of S ,%50, ,GlG, or near.
" enough to have built ali our roads leaving
the Lower Division, with the City OF Charles
ton. entirely out Of the calculation.
Bat let us give further evidence to the
"a. = - -f p"ilraads. say in