Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-17

make them exclusively the motive power.
Tho same gentleman, in the winter of
1929, made the drawings of the first
American steam locomotive called the
"Best Friend" which was planned by Mr..
E. L. Miller, of Charleston. Upon the
Charleston and Hamburg Road was in
troduced in 1881, for the fret time on any
railroad in the world, the important ar.
rangement Of two four (4) wheeled trucks
for locomotives and long passenger cars.
The facts here stated are designed to
show that The State has never been want.
ing in men of mechanical genius, with the
capacity to achieve the greatest enterpri-
ses, if properly encouraged. South Caro-
lima, although the first to initiate railway
system, has prosecuted it to very limited
extent, compared with the demands of her
commerce and the resources of her soil.
The facility with which railroads can be
built in this State is evidenced by the fact
that the railroads Of South Carolina have
cost in their construction less per mile,
than any of equal length in the United
States. would recommend the fosterinp
OF these great and benefceut public en-.
terprises BY the State, so far as may be
consistent with the proper maintenance Of
other important public interests. AT the
same time that railroad corporations should
be generously, but ju'liciously, fostered,
yet suitable laws should be enacted to reg
ulate their tariff Of charges for freigLts
and passengers, or otherwise ,bey may
oppress all classes by their excessive rates,
and check the trade and enterprise of tue
people.
Railroads are the main arteries of CON-
merce. They stimulate production by
bringing the market within easy reach Of
the producer. They give an impetus 10
every branch of trade, while they promote
unity and good will among great popuIs-
lions, by enabling them 10 circulate freely
among each other. I would especially
recommend that the State should furnish
all the aid that it can expedieutly for the
speedy completion Of the Blue Ridge Rail.
road. The Importance Of that road to the
people Of the State at large cannot well be
oVor-estimated. Starting at Anderson
Courthouse as prolongation of the wes.
terly branch of the Greenyille and Colum.
bia Railroad, it will traverse portions of
the Counties of Anderson and Pjckens.
and Of the States ef Georgia, North Car
oIina and Tennessee, having its western
terminus at Knoxville, whence it will have
connections with Chattanooga, the great
focal point of Southwestern railroads. Il
will also connect at Knoxville with roads
running direct to Louisville, Kentucky,
and Cincinnati, Ohio. The entire length
OF the road will be one hundred and nine.
ty'six miles, Of which fify-two miles lie
within the limits of South Carolina. Thi,.
ty-four (34) miles Of this distance have
been finished, and are now in running or
der from Anderson to HNalhalla. .''
"The Blue Ridge Railroad Company in
South Carolina" was chartered by the Leg
islature Of this State in 1882; but unto.
ward events, among them the alleged bad
faith of the first contractors, have proven
ted the prosecution Of the work upon it.
The total amount thus far expended ON
the road is three millions two hundred and
fifty thousand Csa,25oooo) dollars. The
additional amount required to complete it
is stated by the President of the. road at
three millions five hundred thousand ($3.-
500, o,o0o) dollars. This increased estimate
Of cost per mile over that portion already
constructed is due to the heavy amount Of
tunneiiing that will be required id getting
through the Blue Ridge. Tho State now
owns stock in this road to the amount Of
one million three bundled and ton .hou-
sand ts1, 1,slo,ooo) dollars. y. r,
The present bonded debt Of the compa.
ny is stated at two hundred and thirty
'housand dollars s2so,ooo,)' secured BY
mortgage on the road and its running
stock. Mr.. J. w. Harrison, President Of
the Company, states, in q recent report
that he has made of the condition and
prospects OF the Blue Ridge Railroad Com.
pany, that "sll that is expected Of The
State ID that che shall guarantee the bonds
Of the company for, SAYING three millions
of dollars to be. issued in such sums and
at such times as tha progress Of the work
may require. And that. The State shall
provide for the payment Of the inseres. on
the bonds while the road is being built.
For example, the company could perbaps
expend one million Of dollars year, for
three ysars, 10 which time The road can be
completed: The State woald ,proside for
interest ou $1,ooo.o .oooi ;.ya ~ e:,.,,
First yesr x. s.ay. -. 10000
r Second year s.,,!. ), - 10000
Third year, a.f So. a1o. 600
t.fss's,'. "a *. fs1l" r'.si 3-S..a -
So thss by an expenditure Of four huad.el