The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-07-31
.The Attack ON Governor scott and the
.sl.s ~ Biue Ridge Railroad.

!.Ths Attack ON Governor scsts and the
Biue Ridge Rnilroad.
i;hux, O acorrespondent OF tine Charles.
ton News, writing from Colombia, has
made q fierce attack upon Governor
Scott, and through him upon the Blue
Ridge Railroad Sin regard to the late
bidding for contracts to complete. this
important work. O. The statements Of
isEux" were made with such apparent
confidence and sincerity, that we have
been induced to seek information from
O reliable source, and have come to the
conclusion that these assertions of
''Lux," concerning what he is pleased to
term the ''ring," are, to say the least,
greatly exaggerated. We understand
chat simple statement of facts has
been furnished for publication by the
Executive Committee, and for an expla-
nation in detail that may be referred to
ever, that the Executive Committee
vernon Scott, General Harrison und
George s. Cameron, Esq, all of whom
concurred in the arrangement fiually
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 con-
tractors Offering proposals to build this
road were treated with the courtesy,
fairness and impartiality usually accord
ed in such matters. The Executive
Committee, having in view the enlarge
ment of their first mortgage in order to
cover actual cost of construction, the
Importance of an early commencement
and rapid completion of the work, deem
ed it judicions to change their first pro-
gramme, and to negotiute for contract
which would enable them to effect these
several objects without using or hypothc-
eating any portion of their present
assets. To do this it was necessary that
q largo amount in cash and in work
should be advanced by the contractor,
and upon such terms all the bidders
were requested to remodel their propo-
sails, which proposition was acceded to
and acted upon by several. In their
second proposals, however, all but Cres-
we'll & Co. Ito whom the contract was
awarded) 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 us to
be hypothecated for their use and bene-
fit, whilst Creswell & Co. reduced their
original prices at least ten to twelve per
cent, thus making them the lowest bid
ders, at the same time agreeing to make
the necessary advances to the company,
without obtaining the possession of a
single bond for nine mouths. Under
this arrangement, the bonds of the COM
paLy will remoin in the absolute possess
sion Of the Executive Committee. It
would be manifestly improper for the
company to publish to the ~orld at this
time the precise figures and prices for
work, rs the contract is yet in embryo,
and many details are still to be nego-
tiated. 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
classifications of work. This increase
above the estimates would hardly seem
to be an extravagant allowance for tho
unusual advantages offered the company
by these contractors, and the very large
advance to me made by them would in
dicate their ability to faithfully perform
their obligations.
We are not the apo1ogist of Governor
Scott, as our readers very we'll know,
neither is it our province to defend him
against these attacks upon his integrity
anu Hsr:S Of sincerity il protesting tc be
Friend &c the Blue Ridge Railroad.
But, nevertheless, his public messages
and private acts, so far as we can Judge,
abundantly prove that he is ANXIOUS for
the completion of this important enter
prise. We are assured upon high au-
thority that Governor Scott has always
manifested the utmost zeal and activity
since he came into Office for the best in
terests of the road. Further than this,
it would be impossible for us to excul-
pate him from the damaging charges
now preferred against him, but as we
have shown that the writer is not infalli-
BILE in other respects, is it not fair to pre-
sumo that he is liable to error concern
ing these allegations?
Anderson Intelligencer.
SECRETARY boutwell, RAPED OVER