The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-23
Internal Improxemanrn.

enat eneIe 10 III apPllcatlon before
the Legislature for charter for a
EraiiEoad from Columbia to the North
Carolina line, via Cheraw, and that
the-sscompany applying for it have
~, 600, 600 to build it. You say that
all that is wanted is the charter, and
give the scheme your approval, as
one of interest to the people, etc,
This is project on the part of the
Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad and
those interested in it, to make con-
nection which will divert the travel
and as much trade rs they can from
other established lines in this Stute,
to which the State has heretofore,
contributed largely to build up, and
has III every way encouraged her citi-
zens to invest their capital, which
mas been greatly absorbed in these
patriotic enterprises to develop the
resources of the country and add to
the welfare of the people in various
ways. These railroads now consti-
tute the only hope of our people to
recupcrate from the calamities of war
and its consequences; and though
struggling, as they have and are,
through difficulties and embarrass-
ments which few could have survived,
they are, and will be, by proper en-
couragement, in position to aid in
rescuing our State from poverty and
ruin.
AS general rule, it is not denied
that it is unobjectionable simply to
grant charter for railroad, but this
principle, like all others in political
economy, is to be acted on consist
emily with vested interests, and to do
no legislative act which operates in
bad faith to those who, at,1east, upon
an implied public pledge, have in
vested their means for the common
benefit.
There are four roads standing in
this position, already completed, at
heavy cost to the people and to the
State, now in debt, it is true, but dis
pensing innumerable blessings to the
country in the remunerative employ
ment of labor, and in the purchase
of material and supplies along their
respective routes. L mean the South
Carolina Railroad, the Charlotte and
South Carolina Railroad, the North
eastern Railroad, and the Wilmington
and Manchester Railroad. All of
these are fixed institutions, built up
by investments of our own people
and striving to continue to retain the
public confidence and promote pub
lie convenience.
The proposed enterprise is antago.
nistic to them oil, and is sought, by
strangers, to secure an enterprise that
contributes othing to any established
line in the State, rs all the rest do to
each other, but takes everything out
to benefit lines in North Carolina.
L mention no new proposition,
when [ say that such enterprises are
not to be encouraged; and I need
only mention the State of North
Carolina as an example, which re-
fused, year after year, a charter from
Greensboro to Danville, Virginia,
because it conficted with established
Improvements in that State, in which
the State and her people had invest
ed their capital, among which was
the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad,
whose authorities were among the
most active in resisting what was
termed this great wrong upon vested
interests.
That connection was only made as
a military necessity by the Confede-
rate Government.
Shall this State be less careful of
the interests of her people and their
enterprises? Are her old and estab-
lished works to be overslaughed and
the capitalin in them jeoparded, because
it is said parties have the money
ready? Are her cities to be deprived
of their legitimate trade and profits
from these works, because other
enterprises can make combinations
to DO it? It is time to pause and
save, and, if needs be, aid what is
left. 1t may be, that it is true that
this company have their $1,000, 900
ready. 1t is, of course. part of that
recently voted by the Legislature of
North Carolina, and it may not be
amiss to refer to the fact that Judge
Osborne and many other Senators,
both Republicans and Democrats,
have filed their protest in the Senate
against that appropriation, as being
in direct conflict with the Constitu-
ton of the State last ratified.
To grant o charter from the North
Carolina line from Cheraw, would be
of service to both States, as il Would