The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-11

other Facts nnd Fig 4res with Reference
to the Extension OF the Spartanb u rs
and Union RailrOad.
TO He EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

I'd He EDITOR OF The NEWS.
AS ia, oa k as 1886, the leading spirits of
South ca, oina we're interested in locating q
line Of railway from Charleston to the North
west. Accordingly the services of General
Mcneil, with twelve brigades OF engineers, were
engaged to reconnoitre the several gaps
through the Blue Ridge, and to report the re-
snt of their surveys and Investigations. This
work was performed with much deliberation,
AMI after minute reconnaissance Of all the
principal gaps OF the Blue Ridge range, from
Virginia to Georgia, it was decided that the
practicable pass through which to construct a
railr DAD. The prime object of the first movers
IN this grand enterprl SO being to ascertain the
nearest and cheapest line upon which to con-
struct railroad that would unto Charleston
and Cincinnati, 1t was agreed that the prjnci-
pal points should be Columbia. Union, Spar
tanburg. Asheville, thence down the French
Broad Valley, &c.
It may be remarkable that never, from that
day to this, has there been so thorough, so
complete and so scientific an investigation
made in regard to this matter. It is we'll also
to observe that all the States interested in the
construction of this grand national highway
have, from the date OF this general survey to
which have alluded, been locating and build
ing their roads with reference to the line then
established The Spartanburg and Union
Road, to it's present terminus at Spartanburg,
follows that line, varying from 1t only in this !:
The original survey Was made on the opposite
side Of the Broad River, from where the road
was finally located. North Carolina is build
ing her road down the valley Of the French
Broad to Paint Rock. East Tennessee Is build
ing hers from Paiut Rock to Morrstown and
Cumberland Gap, thence shenee to Lexington and SO
survey Of 1886 the french BvoaL Railroad
Company, In 1859 employed the services or
MIR. r.. McCalla. one Of the most distinguished
civil engineers in. the United States, to resur-
vey the line from Asnevlle to Spartanburg. VIA
Butt Mountain Gap, and to make an estimate
Of the cost Of building the road between these
two points.
more satisfactory than the former. It was es-
timated by MIR. AicCala that the entire road
from Spartanburg to Asheville could be built
at q cost OF one million three hundred and
elshty-tive dollars Isl, ,3S7 9S5). And to show
the confidence that was placed in the correct
ness Of this estimate, company of respect
able and wealthy citizens Of North Carolina
agreed tc Contract for the building Of the road
at .hs estimate Of its cost, and to give q bond
Of ono m llon dollars tor the speedy and faith
tul performance Of the work. Had it not been
for the war the entire road would doubtless
served that this road when completed, ,wlli be the
6 nsummatlon, so far aa South Caro- ina ia con-
cerned, OF the grand project that was concelv-
ed and commenced at least thirty y-three Years
road from Charleston TO CINCINNATI This road,
when completed, will ever be prominently q
South Cdroliua institution. There IS no point
on the entire hue that can be tapped Dy other
the mai trunk. But, OH the contrary, every
other road that may come IN connection with
this D1ust be auxiliary to it's prosporty.A
Z A,heville sllouid now ba the great objective
we might afford to strain our credit. Let us
not th nix for one moo ent Of standing Idle and
Of pc, mitting North Carolina TO transport the
untold treasures Of the great Northwest to her
nj rrr
Of our own doors; adding TO her prosperity,
build,ng upH her resources and enriching her
people. while we stand idle, suffer onr. '.dsy
OF grace" To pass away unimprOve1, and finally
perish In poverty. May ws not hope that the
Legislature will think and act " this impor-i
tant matter IYGER. y