The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-03-28
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which tits Contemplated to make No. 6 the
conclusions the writer anticipates various
objections that may arise in the minds
of his readers to his propositions, as fol-
lows: a f.1,e, ,.ss,tssss ~ G.ssaffH XXX
LIST. In regard to the deficiency in depot
accommodations of our railroad companies.
their extravagant freight tariffs, &C., it NAV
be contended that four years of war left
them in state bordering upon bankruptcy,
and almost devoid of credit or rolling stock.
In reply. we beg leave to present the fact,
that by far the greater number Of railroad
companies South found themselves in a
similar condition. Those companies how
ever, were the first to recuperate whose
officers displayed determined, persistent
effort IN negotiating loans, establishing low
Tariffs, and by exhibiting at all times a
lteady purpose to accommodate the public
In every possible manner, thus compelling O
large patronage and wide popularity.
Many Southern roads purchased largely
from the United States Government, on two
and four years time; others negotiated
loans In Northern cities for considerable
amounts; and within twelve months past n
check was received in New York for S10O.
600, in the writer's knowledge, to paw off
the last instalment due on a loan of this
klnd. Where are our men of broad views?
In article two, it may be objected that the
time Is not yet come for the concentration
therein proposed. Some one POLITICALLY in
cllned may quote: "a thousand years scarce
serve to form State" etc. Friend, shall I
remind thee OF most potent fact? That
line was written long before the age of
printing presses, railroads, steam engines,
telegraph wires and velocipedes. The march
"a Il g,
torrent like and startling. In profoundest
respect for the genius who breathed them,
L would pronounce the words wretchedly
inappropriate If spoken to the nineteenth
century. ''Take Time by the fore. lock"
will apply thousand fold better; march
him before you, and where great events are
to be consummated, touch him briskly with
electricity; wait not for the old mans pen
dulum footsteps to march past, until you
read on his weather-worn back the tardy
travellers fatal words, "Too late, too late!
am left by the locomotive" Ponder on
this, my friends, and act ut once.
pass article three, as the comments ap-
pear to mo clearly just and appropos, only
adding, that an occasional door is open for
money making and city improving if, like
Charleston, Savannah, Richmond and Au-
gusta, we could induce company of capt.
tallsts to como out and build in Columbia
another line of street railroad. Why should
we not also, be favored with so great ne
cesslty IN these times? But we must hasten
on, as this article is likely to become too
lengthy.
Article four touches our merchants but.
my friends, be not too quick to censure.
Weigh the conclusions carefully. The DO
sition in which all men were thrown imme-
diately after the burning is well known and
well understood. every edge was made
to cut, and there would he no room for
complaint had not the times vastly changed.
had almost written-our merchants were
little better than yagrants and wanderers
upon earth) 1t is fair to conclude that onr
aspirations are raised somewhat since that
day, and the ambition of each citizen should
lead him to conduct business after q fashion
that will furnish reputation and character
to the city OF Columbia, in addition to
yielding him pecuniary benefit. The day
is rapidly approaching, if not now upon
us, when the ideas presented in article four
VIII be accepted as being actually essential
to the business success of our city
Asking indulgence few moments longer,
we conclude by recurring to article five, and
meeting halfway the objections arising to
railroad schemes, to w.t. want of resources.
In this sas nall other important undertakings
1T Is absolutely hopeless without q beginning.
Notwithstanding the impoverishment of our
people. it is an easy task, within circuit of
500 or 900 miles of Columbia, to count five
or six railroads which have in more in
stances than one, been projected, surveyed,
and are now almost ready for operating,
since the close of the war. The writer fears
that out people do not fully realize the
wonders to be accomplished by accumula-
ton of capital from small subscriptions.
Let the company be organized, the books
opened, the enterprise extensively adver-
tised, to begin with; in short, let the ball
be set in motion, and capital, labor. enter
prise froD, abroad will be attracted, will
offer itself, and will seek association with