Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-11-23

cred pounus, 80 ~: -
G. Road for a distance of ten miles, an they
think they ought To get eighteen cents.
Came here not to talk for myself, bat for
the people at large, and sdid not intend to
advert to taxatiun-for it saYours os dcna-
gogism--looks like throwing the tub to tie
whale, and catering 10 the prejudicrS OF lien
but the gentlemen from Charles IN have in
troduced that branch of the subject, which
is indeed inseparable from it.
ALI the Northern cities have spent their
millions in building commercial avenues. Our
commercial city shrinks from that duty, and
expects the State to do it by taxation.
Charleston is still wealthy Notwithstanding
the millions that are accumulated there, and
transferred to Northern cities to England and
to Scotland. II Charleston had been imbued
with the same spirit Of enterprise that CHAR
acterizes other cities, her surplus capital
would havo been engaged in enterprises si'nl'
lur to the Blue Ridge Rail Road.
If the State undertakes to make Rail Roads
for her, the mercantile capital will always
continue to shrink from such Investments
And it will leave Charleston as hereto ore,
each year carrying away its million.
One of the greet leaders of the Blue Ridge
party has stated in a speech, that q dcbt oi
a million will add to the tax on negroe;
eighteen cents head. According to his cal
culation debt of two millions will add thir'
ty-seyen cents-four millions seventy-tiye
ceuts-eight millions one dollar, fifty cents
and trelre millions (my estimate ior the cost
Of the Road) two dollars and twenty-five
cents head-and everything else in the
same ratio. IL it right2 Is it just2 That
the country people should have to work tue
roads that lead TO commercial points, where
men grow rich on commercial traffic, and
then to be called on to build commercial
channels from our cities to other countries
and through other States.
You all know how much labor we bestoW
on our Roads, and still have the worst Wagon
high ways in christendom-almost lmpassa
bic at certsin seasons Of the year, for hal
loaded wagon with six mules. Good com
mon Roads are what we most want, ditcbed
graded, and graveled Roads-turnp'kcs Ma
terals may be found within two or three
miles of any public highway in The District
even in our sand-hllI
If we had good turnpikes we would no
stand SO much in need Of Rail Roads. 0n
share of the money that the Blue Ridg'
Road will cost, would build US turnpike
from Hamburg to every noiyhborhooe in tn
District. The estimates for the completion
of the Blue Ridge is very low. Why is th
machinery and rolling stock left out alto
getlIer2 Who ever heard OF a Fail Roat
commencing business without machinery
That is ordinarily part Of the cost Of Road
The rolling machinery of the Baltimore ane
Ohio Road cost five millions.
have no idea that the Blue Ride Roat
will he completed without running the cos
very far over the estimates.
Major Gwynn the chief engineer OF the
Blue Ridge Rail Road, stand. high as an en-
sineer, and so much do appreciate him thai
he would he my first choice were going h
build Fail Road. But still l think, tha'
every prudent man should make allowance
for under estimates III so complicated and
difficult s, job-and for one, have made W
my mind to see the work, if carried on, COS,
eleven or twelve millions Of dollars.
Major Gwynn, was the chief engineer o
the North Carolina Central Road, which cost
about twenty five per cent more than his es'
Inmates. The discrepancy was explained oy
Gov. Morehead, so that it did not de'fac'
from the character Of Major Gwynn as M
able and reliable engineer. There is Ger,
tainly room for similar extra outlays tia,
may, before this work is completed in all itt
parts, run up the co~t-as aui confident il
will-to point beyond the expectations o.
all concerned. don't wish to sec the State
put into the bands Of any mar, or set o.
mea yhen the Bpzk Ia half done We Rit