The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-25
Greenvillc a nd Columbia Rallroad.

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abandon about forty miles of their
present road from Frog Level, and
build q new line of railway from that
point to Columbia. The impractica-
bility and impolicy of such change,
at present, are SO obvious that it is
passing strange sensible and practical
men should have determined on it.
The company have. at this time, q
bonded and floating debt of So, 900,
OOO, and are without funds and with
out credit. The road has cost about
$3, OO,0OO. 1t is not likely the road
would, this day or for years to come,
sell for enough to pay this debt.
How, then, is it possible for the com
pany to undertake to build Il new
road thirty-tive miles long? Where
will they get funds? How can they,
III the present condition of the coun-
try. seriously entertain hope of ac-
complishing such a project?.
If the line of road is changed as
proposed, the company viii have to
abandon more than one fourth of the
whole length of their railroad track.
which has cost them nearly 81 900, :
900. They will have to give up all
the freight and passengers brought
them by the Spartanburg Road,
which is one-tcnth Of the income Of
the Greenville and Columbia Road,
and must greatly increase hereafter
Spartanburg is nearc1. Ashvillc than
Greenville, and all the. trade and
travel of North Carolina arc destined
to pass over the Spartanburg Road.
There, too, is the trade and travel Of
Fairfield, Union, Spartanburg, and
portions Of Laurcns and Ncwberry
Districts, entirely lost to the Green
vile Road by this change.
The proposed change is in bad
faith to the Spartanburg Company.
They were induced to unite with the
Greenville Road at Aston by II sub
scription of $4,000, aud Il tacit
pledge Of honor and faith that the
present road down the valley of the
Broad River should continue in all
time to come. BY the proposed
change, the Spartanburg Road is
ruined and worthless. 1t is said the
Spartanburg Company may purchase
the road from Aston to Columbia.
They have nothing to pay with, and
cannot make the purchase. But, if
they could, it would be a strange and
novel sight to see Il railroad company
building a rival road to thoir own.
and selling it out to rival company
1t Is said the present road down
the valley from Aston to Columbia is
liable to be washed away by frcshets.
and never can be safe. The road has
been built nearly twenty.years, and
during that time has only been ia
mayed by two freshets This damage
may be prevented in the future by
having trestlcs instead of embank-
ments where the river washes. The
expense would he trifing. Or the
road may be turned nearer the foot of
the hill, and avoid the dangers of the
river entirely. This would be most
inconsiderable cost compared to build
ing new road thirty-tivc miles long
The Engineer reports that this new
road may be built at cost of So
OO0 per mile; but he makes no allow
ance, in his estimates, for rock and
blasting. 1t is said that, underneath
the surface of the earth, for miles.
on the proposed road through Lex
lngton District, there is u solid
rock. Blasting through this NAV
cost more than the grading OF the
whole road. No one has given the
right of way over his lands in Lev
lngton, and there may be doubts
whether this will be done. 1t is said
the timber is an induccment to con-
struct the railroad on the new line.
This timber belongs TO farmers. who
are not disposed to sell it.
The bridge alone will cost from
$780, to S75,0 on the new road,
and may be washed away hv the first
freshet. The old bridge has with
stood the freshete. The piers are All
standing, admirably constructed. and
constitute the great expense OF the
bridge.
What right have the railroad com
pany, after injuring and destroying
Large portion Of the low grounds
through which their railway passes.
to abandon the advantages OF their
road to the land proprictors? Is If
IN good faith to the planters? ! am
not sure the planters may not carry
the company into court and compel
them to continue the;c road or pay
heavy damages.
Let any sensible man take his stand
on the platform of the lndmost car
III going from Alsfon tn rolnl;