The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-12-23
A SHORT CHAPTER OF HISTORY CONCERNING
RAILROADS AND NEWSPAPERS.


The reply of the Charleston Nsws to this paper
is published in our issue to-day. We intend brief
ly to consider some of its propositions, and leave
the public to judge between US.
The Nesys denies that it has made the question
of State aid to the Blue Ridge Railroad political
one. Let us see what has been its course IN this
particular. In discharging it's duty ste the peo-
pie whom we represent" the Netrs has roundiy
abused Gov SCOTT for doing that which others
promptly avowed themselves equally responsible
for. Now in all fairness, if the Nevs did not
wish to give political caste to the matter, and Ii
its batteries were deemed so efectual, why were
not the other members of the Executive Commit
tes first demolished, and then the old Board of
Directors fred upon because they unanimously en-
dorsed the action of their agents? The truth is,
that when the card from Mcssrs. HARRISON and
CAMERoN appeared, explaining the nature of the
contract and taking due share of the response
bilty, the public mind was satisfied, and the Ne~s
and its correspondent .Lux" were 10 longer
able to create sensation The active and enter
prising 'Lux" scamperea away to the mountains,
and the Ne1cs went prospecting for other material
to wage its peculiar warfare upon political oppo-
nents. Yet, when it was apparent that the con-
tract with CREsswELL s. Co. was about to be an
nulled, the News again rushes befort the public
and claims the credit Of bringing about this great
result! Only the prescience, courag. End indom-
table energy Of The CHARLESTON NEWS discover
ed, fought and pursued the now retreating enemy !!
In what manner that paper was instrumental in
having the contract annulled, are not apprised,
although it clamored loudly to that effect, and lost
no opportunity of berating the Radicals in this
connection Was this 30 matter Of money!" 1t
does seem to Us that political reasons urged the
course pursued, and we "not easily convinced"
that this is wise policy.
Now, as to the contract, which was made when
geld was 40 per cent. or more. These contractors
failed to carry out their stipuatons and is con-
ceded that this position might have been maintain
ed in the courts. We have never heard the rea-
sons which induced the Board TO pay $4,000 to
be released, but the most sensible solution of the
matter is that they desired to carry on the work,
and suit at law would have seriously retarded
their operations But aside from this point, there
has been saving of mary thousands of dollars by
the reduced premium on gold, and consequent
reduction in the price of material and labor. We
have heretofore explained the advantages offered
by these contractors at the outset, and assigned
our reasons for endorsing the action of the Com
pany and it is unnecessary to repeat oil this now,
as we could not hope to convince the NeUs that
there was any merit in either of them. But we
would like to know upon what authority "it was
stated that S4,OOO,000 would complete the road
and that the work could be done in one year ?"
This escaped our attention at the time, and we ask
for information. Further, the authority for the
declaration that ssthe country through which it
passes, after leaving Walhalla, is q mountainous
weste?" The engineers have reported, we be-
lieve, country of boundless resources lying be-
yond the Blue Ridge. This sort of argument on
the part of the News is exceedingly puerile, and
betrays the animus of that paper towards the en-
terprise Why not oppose the Road at once, and
advocate some other connection 10 secure 'the
trade and riches of the West" TO use the language
of the Ne,rs Because it would be "going back"
upon its own record, as the ablest and most ex-
haustive articles in favor of the Blue Ridge route
appeared in its editorial columns only last spring,
and the Neps lays claim to consistency, in addition
TO many other virtues.
We are not in the habit of condcmning people
without hearing, because ugly rumors are afoat
and therefore the Neus will excuse us if we fail to
notice the many vague and indefinite hints con-
tanned in its reply by way of interrogatory. Sc
cret meetings have no dread for us, and we are
not always listening to the tales of idle gosspers
whose very occupation is repusive TO our nature.
But as the Nees seems to think that we speak up
on correct information, we will state "authorita-
tvely' that there was no trouble in obtaining the
necessary signatures to make the Blue Ridge bonds
negotiable, and that the company never paid
cent to get any officers signature to them. Other
rumors are equally unfounded, in our opinion, and
we think that time Will disclose the fact that many
of s.these schemes of plunder' exist only in the
imagination of persons disposed to put the Blue
Ridge Railroad to every disadvantage. We are
truly sorry that one cotemporary allows itself to
become the vehicle through which "ugly rumors
flying thick and fast are communicated TO the
world at large. Not admiring that style Of jour-
nalism, we have frankly expressed our disappro
baton and it comes within our knowledge that
many readers of the News concur in this opinion,
although they unite with US in heartily praisng
the energy and tact displayed in its general man
agement.
LEGISLATIVE ITEMS.
II