The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-07-29
THE ATTACK ON GOV. SCOTT AND THE BLUE
RIDGE RAILROAD.

ThE AIIACh U4 UUV. oCU1A AMI 4n6 oAo6
RIDGE RAILROAD.
"Lux," correspondent Of the Charleston Ners,
writing from Columbia, has made fierce attack
upon Gov. ScoTT, and through him upon the Blue
Ridge Railroad, in regard to the late bidding for
contracts to complete this important werk The
statements of "Lu1 :" were made with such appa-
rent confidence and sincerity that we have been
induced to seek information from reliable source,
and have come 10 the conclusion that these asser-
tions of "Lux" concerning what he is pleased to
term the "ring" are to say the least greatly ex-
aggerated We understand that simple state
ment of facts has been furnished for publication
BIZ the Executive Committee, and for an e4plana-
ton in detail that may be referred to by our rea-
ders 1t is we'll to state, however, that the Execu-
tive Committee awarding the contract consisted of
Gov. Scorr, Gen. HARRISON and GEO. s. CAMERON,
ESQ. al of whom cobeurred in the arrangement
finally effected and that Mayor PILLsBURY is not
member of the Executive Committee, was not
present, and had no connection whatever with this
contract, as has been insinuated by "Lux." The
several contractors Offering proposals TO build this
Road were treated with the courtesy, fairness and
mpartiality usually accorded in such matters. The
Executive Committee having in view the enlarge
ment of their first mortgage in order to cover ac-
tual cost of construction, the importance of an
early commencement and rapid completion OF the
work, deemed it judicious to change their FIRST
programme, and to negotiate for contract which
would enable them to effect these several objects
without using or hypothecating any portion of
their present assets. To do this it was necessary
that large amount in cash and in work should
be advanced by the contractor, and upon such
terms all the bidders were requested to remodel
their proposals, which proposition was acceded to
and acted upon by several. In their second pro-
posals, however, all but CREswELL 90 Ito whom
the contract was awardedl increased the prices at
least ten per cent. above their original bids, and
required that bonds of the Company should be
placed in such position as to be bypethecated for
their use and benefit, whilst CREswELL & Co. re-
duced their original prices at least ten to twelve
per cent, thus making them the lowest bidders, at
the same time agreeing to make the necessary ad-
vances to the Company, without obtaining the
possession of single bond for nine months Un-
der this arrangement, the bonds of the Company
will remain in the absolute possession of the Ex-
ecutive Committee. 1t would be manifestly i'm
proper for the Company to publish to the world at
this time the precise figures and prices for work,
az the contract is yet in embryo, and many details
are still to be negotiated. We can state. however,
that the contract as awarded will not exceed the
estimates of Chief Engineer LOWE so much as
eight per cent. in the different classifcations of
work. This increase above the estimates would
hardly seem to be en- extravagant allowance for
the unusual advantages offered the Company by
these contractors, and the very large advance to
be made by them would indicate their ability to
faithfully perform their obligations.
We ore not the apologist of Gov. ScoTT, as our
readers very we'll know, neither is it our province
to defend him agoinst these attacks upon his in
tegrty and want of sincerity in protesting to be
friend of the Blue Ridge Railroad. But never
theless, his public messages and private acts, so
far as we can judge, abundantly prove that he is
anxious for the completion of this important en-
lerprise. We are assured upon high authority
that Gov. Scorr has always manifested the utmost
zeal and activity since he came into Office for the
best interests Of the Road. Further than this, it
would be impossible for US to e1cupate him from
the damaging charges now preferred against him,
but as we have shown that the writer is not nfal-
lible in other respects, it is not fair to presume
that he is liable to error concerning these allega-
t;ona9