The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-19
tcoMMUNIcNTED.l
Cincinnati and Charleston Railroad,
FRENCH BROAD.
VIA

ing taken in having q communication by railroad
between the Northwest and the Atlantic seaboard,
and on account of the urgent claims advanced by
the friends OF rival routes, wo would respectfully
suggest to tho friends OF the various routes, and
especially to the citizens Of Cincinnati, Kentucky,
Tennessee, North and South Carolina, that Con-
yention be called, composed of delegates from
Cincinnati and the States named. The Con-
vention to meet this summer or fall, at
somo convenient place-say Morristown, Knox
vile, or Ashville-to consider the merits Of the
various routes prosposed; decide thereon, and see
what may be done in the promises. Let Gin
cinnati name the place aud time.
If it be thought expedient, a corps of engineers,
in the meantime, might make a reconnaissance OF
the different routes, examination of the sur
veys thereof, which have already boon nsade, so
as to report to the proposed Convention.
It is Of the greatest Importance to the whole
country, and especially to those who may be in
terested as stockholders, that the contemplated
railway should have the hest possible location,
the most direct route, the cheapest line, and
should pass through country capable Of produ-
cling the greatest amount of business. Other
things being equal, any unprejudiced mind
would decide at onco in favor Of such PROPOSE
ton as self-evident. Directness OF route is now
the leading idea with English railway builders,
and it's great importance is being recognized by
our own people.
These advantages we claim for the route ex-
tending from Cincinnati to Charleston, 8. O. uia
Cumberland Gap, Morristown, Tenn, Paint Rock,
Ashville, No. o., Spartanburg, and Columbia,
South Carolina, which we submit, have been fully
proved, are unanswered and unanswerable, by the
able report Of Dr., NJ. CARRIeER, Secretary and
Treasurer of Cincinnati Cumberland Gap and
Charleston Railroad, lately published in the Gin
cinnati Commercial.
The only argument against this report which
we have seen, was used by the Hon. GEORGE A.
TRENHOLM before the Charleston Board Of Trade,
at which he is represented to have said s'Now, as
regards the spartanburg extension, they have
not got a charter to enter the State of Virginia,
and they cannot reach Cumberland Gap, which is
in Virginia, without one and it is out of to
suppose that in the present condition Of the pub
lie mind-it is contrary to any reasonable conjec-
ture, that Virginia will grant charter for rail-
road which is to tap her whole system of local
and State roads, and is calculated to divert her
commerce to the support Of another State. 1t is
true they have charter from the State of North
Carolina but such is the jealousy of that State in
regard to it's own seaports and the value of its
costly system Of railroads. that in that charter
this railroad shall have been completed by pri-
vate capital, to indemnify the corporators and
take the road for the benefit of the State of North
Carolina"
The distinguished champion of the Blue Ridge
route must think that cause strong indeed,
against which he urges no better arguments tn an
these. But as to the fact, Cumberland Gap is
not exclusively the State of Virginia; the prin-
cipsl part CT it is in the States uf Tennessee and
Kentucky. The one or two hundred yards of
Virginia passed through here is 9 tunnel which
commences in Tennessee and terminates in Ken
lucky, which, we we'll informed, belongs to
one individual, who is stockholder, and has
given the right of way to this projected line. Be-
sides, il his facts true, it is difficult to COM
prehend how the passage of a road through this
remote, mountainous, and very small slip Of Vir-
ginia, would derange her s',ohole system of To-
cal and Ssste roads, and divert her commerce to
the support of another State" Her whole system
OF railroads would still be left free and open
and with the contemplated road finished, she
would save in distance from Cincinnati to Nor
folk uia Cumberland Gap, Morristown and Bris-
tol, sixty -four miles over the line from Cincinnati
to Norfolk 6sa Knoxville. And in case the Virgil
MIA and Kentucky Railroad should be extended
from Bristol to Cumberland Gap, as is contenis
plated, she would save in distance from Oncin.
natl to Norfolk one hundred and seuen miles ovor
the line ola Danville and Knoxville.
We have q better opinion OF the liberality and
generosity of the Old Dominion, even if it were
necessary to appeal to her. 1t is rather absurd
to presume that company of stockholders would
be 80 foolish as to undertake to build railroad
without first having obtained an indisputable
right to build; and yet, the Cincinnati, Cumber-
land Gap, and Charleston Railroad WAS being sue
cessfully and rapidly built when the war broke
out. The Hon. gentleman admits the prospect of
more business for the "Spartanburg extension >
than We had supposed he was willing to acknowl-
edge. Now, as to his other dd captandum argu-
ment-suppose the road completed from Cincin-
natl or Morristown to Ashville, N. O., and the
State OF North Carolina should conclude to take
that portion lying 6e.,oeen AshpUle and the State
line, near Paint Rock land her reservation only
applies to this portion), indemnifying the corpo
rators-what does it amount to? Simply to q
change of stockholders and by full compensation.
He would be'surprised if many Of the stockho1d.
era of the Blue Ridge Road would not sell their
stock upon terms much moro favorable to the
purchaser. But, admitting that the State Of
North Carolina should take this portion Of the
road, it would be her interest to bring to Ash
vil nj pnuch nd MANY M aaen al