The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-16
RAILROAD soUABB11
The ssatemen. OF mr. Joseph Crews.


we have received q long-winded communi-
cation from Mr. Joseph Crews, in reply 10 the
letter Of DIR. B. g. James OH the sale Of the
rolling stock Of tho Laurens Railroad, which
was published in THE NEWS Of the Sd inst.
The greater part Of MIR. Crews' reply is made
up Of an er parte account OF his individual end
confidential business dealings with Or. James.
These, we take it, are matters of no possible
concern to the general public; and, even were
1t otherwise, the language of Mr. Crews in mar
rating them is not such as ne could permit to
appear ia our columns. But as 1t is princi-
pie Of TIE NEWS to give every side hearing,
we make room for those portions OF his letter
in which he gives his version of the sale OF the
rolling stock. transaction which has been 80
severely denounced, even by Governor scott's
own Attorney.General. Mr.. Crews writes:
Now: as to the sale Of the locomotives. One
A. II. Brodie and ]. w. 8. Arnold obtained a
Judgment in the United States Court against
the Laurens RailroadICom 5any, some time In
the winter of 1858. upon the coupons Of the
bonds bonds OF the company, the payment Of which
State of South Carolina. There were sold, un.
der that judgment, three locomotives, one sta.
tionary engine, fve box cars, two platform
cars. two push cars and one crank car. bid
ia the property in the name Of r. x. Scott,
who at that time knew nothing OF nv actions
or intentions. took receipt from tho spe.
ciai deputy of the United States Marshal who
sol. sold the properly. I Immediately went to Co.
lumbia and notified Governor Scott Of nv ac-
tipn. he agreed to abide by it and whatever
policy deemed best for tho interests OF the
State: The property. wac put up and sold to
tho highest bidder, and after being advertised
the number of days required by Law. All that
desired had an opportunity to bid, and DIR.
James could have bid off the properly as we'll
as did. After the property was sold and Gov
ing run to tho great detriment of the intere SITS
or the road and State, he advised that should
take charge OF the road, and cause oil the pro-
ceeds. excspt what might be required to ray
the track and rolling stock, until suit couid be
brought against the company, and an euuta-
pie adjustment made Of tho whole matter, as
between the stockholders and the State. The
| to the amount Of 5000, the interest Of which
wae to be paid sem:-anuually. The bonds wore
made payable in twenty years, bearing inter
Section I'D of the "Act to afford aid to the
Lanrens Railroad Company" ratified 22d day
OF December, 1859, says "That 30 soon as the
sad bonds shall have been endorsed, they
shall constitute lien upon the entire proper
ty Of said company, including the road bed,
right OF way, grading, bridges and masonry
upon all tho stock subscribed for in said COM
pany, and upon the iron rails, chairg. spikes,
equipments and appurtenanees OF every kind;
and tho State OF South Carolina upon the en-,
dorslng OF said bonds and by virtue thereof.
Shall be invested with said lien or mortgage
without Ut deed from the company, for the pay.
ment by said company Of said bonds with the
interest thereon as the same becomes due:
and it shall not be lawful for said company TO
giye, create or convey to any person or per-
sons or body corporate whatever, any lien,
| IncuInbrance or mortgage or any kind, which
snail nave priority over, or come IN conflict
with tho lion Of tho State herein secured; and
any such lien, incumbrance or mortgage shall
gage Of the State, and the said lien or mort
gage OF the stato shall have priority over all
other claims existing or to exist against said
company"
The property Did in was sold under iudg-
ment obtained upon, coupons suare nteed by
the State, and for The payment OF which the
state held mortgage upon the entire road and
loliing stock: DR.. James denies having sold,
Q few old castings with the Greenvilie and o.
Iumbia Railroad Company for new ones I have
aseertained @ rom the chops OF the Charlotte
and South Caro!ias Railroad Company that he
and 5is5 pounds Of s1Ies, which be bad Sdi'rs; no
right to do; and further that he disposed OF
1857 pounds OF castings and scrap iron to
Messrs. Goldsmith & Kind at so per ton. As
Or. James is so honest, would be glad to have
all the springs, steel, and large piles Of iron,
and large, quantities Of old iron formerly in
the depot yard at Laurens. do not
believe the, rats ct 1.aurens. be ,thay. ever 80.
may answer 1t by eayins he EXCHANGED IL Tor
new material for the Lanreng Road, but every
ono knows that this property Is mpftRsgsd 10
the state, and 4 was hisi duty 70 top pla66' d
Of the road and not from Che original ptop4s}g,
OF tho company, be = 70 nee ths road aud pat