The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1868-04-22
Condition and Prospects of the Blue
Ridge Railroad COMPANY.

Ridge Railroad Company.
General j.. w. Harrison, President
Of tie Blue Ridge Railroad Company,
has just published in pamphlet form gu
admirable letter which he addressed to
Gov. Orr setting firth the condition
and prospects Of that Company. The
following reply from Governor Or con.
tains a summary Of the contents Of The
pamphlet, and fully embraces the poin:s
made iberein:
ExEouTIvE DEPARrMEsT. s. C.,1
CoLuMnIA, cad March. 1868.
Gen. j. W. Harrison. President of The
Blue Ridge Railroad Company:
DEAR SR-I have received and
read With very great pleasure your
communication addressed 10 rhe on the
subject Of the Blue Ridge Railroad.
Your history ,of the enterprise is Sex.
ceedingly interesting, and recalls many
of the incidents connected with the in.
caption and progress Of this great work
which have passed from the memory Of
the old, and which are now, for the
first time, brought TO the attention Of
the Younger members Of society. The
Importance Of railroad connection
with the Northwest to all sections of
South Carolina, is not exaggerated by
YOU, il her people intend to develop
her great resources and keep her up
with the progress making by our enter!
ptising sisters. -..
The estimates submitted By skihul
and reliable engineers show that tho
work may be completed t le,s cost
than any other trans montaue connec.
,ion heretofore made, and that the sue
cessf,l completion Of the road NAV be
certainly effected in two or three years,
with bot slight addition TO the burlhen
of taxation on abe penple /; every. one Of
whom is TO be common recipient of
the rich blessings il will pour upon the
State. -
The debt Of the company lie small
now, but small a. it j., the company is
unable 10 liquidate it. and the bond
holders will soon exhaust their patience;
and bring The road to sale under the
sheriG's hammer, unless steps are l,.Seu
promptly 10 push forward The work to
completion
Can The State and the city of
Charleston afford TO see the mortgage
bonds sued on the judgment, and the
road sold 10 raise less ll:an $250,OO0 ;
and the wo'k done, together with the
franchise. pass into other hands, when
their united interest in stock alone, ex-
ceeds $4,000 600, and especially when
the completion Of the entire work will
take less than $3,50o,OoO2 The
amount already expended by the State,
city and private stockholders is over
Ss,250,0o0. Although we are sur
rounded with political and financial
troubles, is it possible that with the
work half completed, its abandonment:
can be for a moment contemplated by
the State and the city of Charleston,
and the S3.25o,ooo Of their money ab.
sulutely lost. 49,.
Surely wiser counscls will prevail,
and whatever may be the opinion OF
individuals as 10 The wisdom or the
policy OF einbarEing III the scheme origi-
nally, all must concur that tho State is
now too deeply involved 10 retreat from
the undertaking. Bot one course is
left, to save the present large invest.
ment, and that IL to give the company
such aid and facilities as viii! insure the
early completion Of the truly great pub
lie work.
trust that your communication
may be laid before tho public, ard !
doubt not that its facts and deductions
will arouse thsar,ention Of the people
Of the State, and incile them to suct
action AZ will enable you speedily tt
resume work. and ere long unite tn,
great West with The Atlantic coast o
our State with arms OF iron. am, sir
very respectfully your obedient servant
JAMES l.. ORR,
| Governor s. G.