The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-22
CHI AR I Es TON.
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY "a, 1859.
The Blue Ridge Jos-soo,t,s Tactics

The Blue Ridge Job-Soott's Tactics.
The silence which Governor Scott and
his claquers hsve maintained in regard to
the charges of jobbery and corruption
in the award Of the Blue Ridge Rail-
road contract, made several days ago by
our correspondent "Lux," is as discreet
as it is significant. In fact, nobody is so
well aware as the Governor and his eopart-
ners, Of the brmen and shameless character
OF their attempt TO plunder the people Of
South Carolina; and they have wisely chc-
sen not to venture upon discussion which
could only have the effect Of further un-
masking the giant swindle they have in
view. If anything were wanting to fasten
upon our enterprising Governor the charge
Of wilful and deliberate perversion Of his
official powers for his individual enrich
ment, the evidence Is abundantly supplied
in the second letter from our correspondent
"Lux," which we print to-day. .,@
What are the facts? A railroad is to be
built, on which four millions have been al
ready spent The whole Of the capital stock,
excepting an inconsiderable fraction, is own
ed by the State and the City Of Charleston,
and consequently controlled by Governor
Scott and Mayor Pillsbury. The cost of
completing the road having been calculated
at about six millions, the Legislature was
induced to guarantee four millions Of its
bonds. Thereupon bids were publicly in
vited for the work, to be paid for in per
cent. coin bonds Of the road, guaranteed by
the State. Several offers were made by
contractors of unquestionable standing, and
the bid Of Pennsylvania firm was acoep-
ted at nine millions, notwithstanding that
CHS was the highest bona Jfde bid presented
ono of tho ntha- hidda-o ~-A-- .- nc ~.-.
petent and responsible, having been eager
&c do the work for seven and half millione.
AL the circumstances of the award point
Enthusiastically to the fact that Governor
Scott was to be silent partner in the profits
that the Pennsylvania firm might be able to
make out Of the contract, and that the ac-
ceptance Of the Pennsylvania offer being q
predetermined fact, the invitation extended
to the other bidders, as we'll as the consid-
GRAFTON seemingly accorded to their bids,
was a magnificent sham throughout.
But this is not all. The whole scheme.
as it stands, depends for its success
upon the ability Of those interested
to obtain from the General Assembly
the State guarantee for FIVE millions
more Of the bonds Of the road. The Gov
ernor has undertaken to make the modest
demand that the Legislature should change
the act Of the last session 90 that the
state guarantee may be made to cover
nine millions instead Of four millions. Until
this is done the four millions already guar.
anteed ere unavailable; for, il they wes6n
used, the additional five millions of bonds
to be guaranteed would necessarily come in
only as a second mortgage. In the delay
thus afforded lies the only hope of the tax.
payers Of the State being able to defeat the
boldest and most Aagrant attempt ever
made to bleed the public treasury Of South
Carolina.
In this connection we hear talk of m mon.
strous proposition that the State and the
City Of Charleston should cancel the 49,.
100000 worth Of the stock Of tho road
which they now hold, and accept in lieu
thereof one jyth Of the amount in second
mortgage six per cent (currsncy) bonds
which, in view o. the recent operations Of
the Ring in Columbia, We may safsly say,
would be absolutely worthless. It is even
said in some qaarteFa that s4his most out
rageous barter Of the peopless property has
already been consummated. But however
may have been the proce ngs Of
Governor Scott in his manipulation Of the |
State Anances, we cannot and will not be- |
lieve that Mayor Plllsbury, at the very |
threshold Of his administration, would have |
dared to share the responsibility Of SO ini- |
quitous transaction.
The Blue Ridge Railroad ia 4 public work |
OF incaloulahle, importance to the future OF |
South Caroline, and we yield to mono in eager
ness for its completion. But We oall upon
the real friends Of the enterprise in every |
part Of the State to join with TIE News in
an earnest and persistent effort to rescue it |
from the Ring Of greedy and unsorup pulous
adventurers WHO now control II. The lie.
sialaturs aap block Eha whole game. And !
the people will demand that It be done. |
--------------ss-s
The M0Tthern BOndh0AMe~ and tho |
Southern Stockhadaer.