The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-05-20
The Blue Ridge Railroad.
CHARLESTON. MAY /

s. II. Goddin, CIncinnati-SIR have
perused with much satisfaction your
splan for the construction of the Southern
Railroad" and take the liberty of send
ing you copy of the report I had the
honor of making here in 1856 on the same
subject. The general proposition has the
assent of all intelligent minds; the diff
cultes are found in the choice OF routes,
and in the want of means. .Rivalries are
exhibited as strongly in the efforts to de-
feat opposing schemes, as in labors to ac-
complsh the favored one. The strength
that combined would have been equal to
the construction of one road, divided and
opposed, displays the power in the defeat
of several. TO the cause perhaps more
than to any other, may be attributed in
this section of country the failure to reach
d point West of the Allcghanics available
for connection with Cincinnati and Lou
isville. On your side of the mountains,
among the causes that have hitherto pre-
vented a nearer approach to us, are those
set forth in your pamphlet. The mode
of overcoming them, you have clearly and
distinctly pointed out. The reason as
signed why the Lexington and Danville
Company cannot or will not finish their
section of the great highway is conclusive.
gThere is not merit enough in this isola-
ted section to Justify the outlay necessary
for it's completion" This is plain and
practical, and the remedy you propose is
equally practical and efficient, namely,
the consolidation of the "Kentucky Gem
trail" and the "Lcxington and Danvllle"
Roads.
I think there are none familiar with
such matters who will refuse their assent
to your views, and to the prudence and
practicability. of the measures recommend
ed for giving them effect. But will you
permit me to dissent from your plans for
the further prosecution of the enterprise ?
You will see in the report l have taken
the liberty of sending you, that l have
before differed from those who believe it
is for the interest of Cincinnati to expend
her money in the construction of a road
of her own, separate from that of Louis
vile, after the two stems shall have been
united near DanvilIc | contend that the
thing of supreme Importance is to have a
road completed and in operation; that the
advantage of separate roads as far as tie
Tennessee line, however valuable in some
respects, is necessarily inferior to this su-
prone object. Will you do me the favor
carefully to consider the subject in this
aspect. When the two roads reach the
State line they will both nsc the Knox
vile and kentucky Road. Why shall
they not do the same thing from the point
of junction near Danvilic with the Le-
banon extcnsion? In your case, see what
would be saved thereby, in both time and
money. In point of fact you must Of ne
cessity make use for some time, of the
Lebanon Road. This road will doubtless
be in connection with Knoxville, before
YOU will have reached the point of inter
section. You will then use it, until your
independent road shall be Completed
Will it not be equally for your interest to
continue to use it, IS long as satisfactory
terms can be obtained? This would OBJ
viatc the necessity of constructing the I'd
and Sd sections of your road, and spare
you the contemplated outlay ofS3, ,3OUOOO.
Is it supposed that this would give LOU
isvillo too great IL power over the trade OF
Cincinnati? If so, the proper corrective
would be found in the application Of the
So 100000, not in the construction of an
independent road, on your side OF the
Knoxville Road,-but in completing, and
in securing the control of the Blue Ridge
Road, which commands the only practica-
bic passage to the Atlantic. The section
of this road from Knoxville to Maryville
being now in process of construction, aid
to he completed by the 1st of July or Au-
gust next, there remain only about $50
miles to be built, namely, from Maryville,
Tennessee, to WalhalIa, in South Carolina.
To accomplish this, the sum you propose
to expend on the I'd and Sd sections OF
the Lexington and Danvillc ROAD
namely s3,3OO,O0O would probably be
amply sufficient. l refer you TO the cor
rcspondonco between Governor Orr and
General j. w. Harrison for more exact
information. You will there SEQ that a
large part of this work has already been
Done It is also paid for; $500, 900 have
been expended upon it (including the cost
of the road from Anderson to Walhalla)
and only about s230,0O0 of the mortgage
bonds of the Company been issued. THIS
sum, and few unimportant open ac-
counts, constitute the entire debt Of tho
company; about s25o,OOO. To those who
shall now come in and furnish the neces-
sary means to complete it, the most i'm
portant advantages will be conceded !; it
is even supposed by many, that its con-
struction is in military view, 80 desira-
bio; and in view of other advantages OF a
national character, having relation to the
development of the resources of the coun-
try, as to render it probable that Congress
may be willing to contribute their aid for
it's accomplishment. The advantage it
affords to the cities of the Northwest is
to bring them nearer to Charleston by
100 miles, than by any other route; and