The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-16
rHEzAURENs RAILROADS. -4BB11
The Statement. of Mr.. Joseph Crews.

We have received o lopg-winded communi-
cation from Mr.. Joseph Crews, in reply 10 the
letter of DR.. B. S. James on the sale Of the
rolling stock Of the Laurens Railroad, which
was published in The News Of the 81 inst.
The greater part Of Mr.. Crews reply is made
up of an ex parte account OF his individual and
confidential business dealings with DR.. Jamee.
These, we take it, are matters Of no possible
concern to the general public; and, even were
it otherwise, the language of Mr.. Crews ir mar
rating them is not such as we could permit to
appear 10 our columns. But as it is a princi-
pie Of The NEWS to give every side hearing,
we make room for those portions OF his letter
in which he gives his version OF the sale of the
rolling stock transaction which has been so
severely denounced, even by Governor Scotts
own Attorney. General. Mr.. Crews writes:
Now. as to the sale of the locomotives. One
A. N. Brodie and j. WIS. Arnold obtained a
Judgment in the United States Court against
the winter Of 1858, upon the coupons OF the
bonds Of the company, the payment of which
bonds and coupons was guaranteed by the
State of South Carolina. There were sold, un.
der that Judgment, three locomotives, one sta
tionary engine, five box cars, two platform
cars, two push cars and one crank car. / bid
in the property in the name OF r. Z. Scott,
who at that time knew nothing OF my actions
or intentions. Itook receipt from the spe-
cial deputy OF the United States Marshal who
sold the property. Immediately went to Co.
lumbia and notified Governor Scott OF my ac-
tior. He agreed to abide by it and whatever
policy deemed best for the interests Of the
State! The property was put up and sold to
tie highest bidder, and after being advertised
the number Of days required by law. All that
desired had an opportunity ID bid, and DR.:
James could have bid off the property as well
as did. After the property was sold and Gov
ernor Scott was notified that the road was be-
ing run to the great detrimeut Of the interests
of the road and State, he advised that should
take charge of the road, and cause all the pro-
ceeds, except what might be required to pay
me for my services, TO be apphd to repairing
the track and rolling stock, uatil suit could be
brought against the company, aud an equita-
BILE adjustment made of the whole matter, as
between the stockholders and the State. The
State in 1859 guaranteed the bonds of the road
to the amount of $75, 900, the interest of which
was to be paid sem annually. The bonds were
made payable IN twenty years, bearing inter-
est Of seven per cent.
Section I'd Of the "Act to afford aid to the
Laurens Railroad Company" ratified 22d day
of December, 1859, says "That 80 soon as the
said bonds shall have been endorsed, they
shall constitute lien upon the entire proper
ty Of said company, including the road bed,
right OF way, grading, bridges and masonry,
upon all the stock subscribed Tor In said COM
pany, and upon the iron rails, chairs. spikes,
equipments and appurtenances OF every kind;
and the State of South Carolina upon the en-
dorsing of said bonds and by virtue thereof,
shall be invested with said hen or mortgage
without deed from the company, for the pay.
ment by said company OF said bonds With the
interest thereon as the same becomes due;
| and it shall not be lawful tor said company to
give, create or convey to any person or per-
sons or body corporate whatever, any lien,
lncumbrance or mortgage OF any kind, which
shall have priority over, or come IN conh:c;
with the hen Of the State herein secured; and
any such lien, incurc brance or mortgage shall
be null and void as against said lien or mort
gage Of the State, and the said lien or mort :,
gage of the State shall have priority over all
other claims existing or to exist against said
company"
The property bid in was sold under ju6g'
ment obtained upon coupons guaranteed by
the State, and for the payment OF which the
State held a mortgage upon the entire road and
lolliug stock. DR.. James denies having Sold
but says he did, upon few occasions, ercfange n
few old castings with the Greenville and Co
lumbia Railroad Company for new ones. have
ascertained from the shops OF the Charlotte
and South Carolina Railroad Company that he
disposed OF q, 100 pounds Of old car wheels,
and 5195 pounds Of axles, which he had nc
right to do; and further that he disposed o1
1867. pounds Of castings and scrap iron to
Messrs. Goldsmith & Kind at 500 per ton. As
| DIR. James is 30 honest, would be glad to have
him inform the public as to what has become ol
all the springs, steel, and large piles Of iron.
and large quantities of old iron formerly ln
the depot yard at Laurens. I do mol
believe the rats at Laureps, be they ever so
large, have been able to carry off this iron. He
may answer it by saying he exchanged 1t for
| new material for the Laurens Road but every
one knows that this property is mortgaged Ia
the State, and it was his duty to replace the
stock, which he wears out, from the proceeds
of the company, BE is TO use the road and put