The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-06-01
Tho Blue Ridge. Railroad.

cbWe presume that no body ever assembled
which. in every particular, pleased the whole
people This is to some extent true with US,
In, the action of the Convention in the matter
of the Blue Ridge Railroad. We think the
resolution of Mr. Trescot, asking that the COM
tnittee of legal gentlemen, charged with inves-
tigsting the validity. of the late legislation as
10 the Greenyille and Blue Ridge railroads,
should make out and publish their report as
soon as practicable, should have been adopted.
It was nothing more than q just and talr re-
Guest The bonds are now signed and ready
Dr negotiation. Will the action Of the Con-
1ention merely depreciate their value or totally
prevent their. sale9 If the Latter, no harm
I other than the abandonment Of this great and
dearly-cherished enterprise for the present can
result. If only the former, then both the State
and the work is injured We believe the re-
port should be rendered and published at an
early day. We would like to see the road built,
and:feel sure its benefits would soon be felt
throughout the State. The surrounding cor
ruption has cast shadow on this enterprise
and the legislation favoring it. Whether this
issjust or not, we cannot say, but we can see no
outward marks of. fraud or dishonesty In the
officers of the road. Whatever of corruption
or bribery may have been employed in securing
Che existing legislation, we must admit that no
unfair advantage has been taken OF it, that no
sacrifice and sal1andering of the bonds issued
for it have been brought to light. With full
power through period of two years, to sell the
bonds under cover OF commission, ana with
full power, without restriction, to sell at any
per cent, since the adjournment of the last
Legislature, they are still retained and under
control of the corporation. Some have been
hypothecated for loans to carry on the work IN
anticipation of rise in their value, but the
bnik of bonds are still free. This certainly
shows an honest disposition on the part OF the
coruoration to regard the true interests OF the
State and the road, and no intention on their
mart to abuse the powers conferred on them.
sfhe work has progressed Slowly for The: simple
reason that the bonds could not be sold for
such prices as the corporators were :wliilng 70
take. The contractors are not paid for time
employed, but by the cubic yard of work done,
SO that delay does not injure the State; The
matter resolves itself into this. Should we
create q State debt in aid of railroads Gen
esal]y. we answer no but whenwe consider the
vast importance of this road, the amount ex-
pended towards its building, has not the point
of-discontinuance been passed? With an hon.
est economical administration OF the govern
Ynent. the aid to this road would scarcely be
felt. When completed, it would prove the IN
.lat OF wealth and prosperity to the people OF
the entire State 1t would, by direct connec-
t;rn with the grain and meat region, promote
the establishment of manufactures and the utlll-
zation of the vast water powers OF the up coun-
trry while to the.people of the middle and lower
. country it would enhance the profits OF cotton
growing. There are times when the demand
for economy cannot be too rigid, and we believe
this is one. Onzthe other hand, there are en-
terprises in which apparent economy becomes
1eplorable extravaganza, by the injury resulting
FINN their neglect and defeat. Is not the Blue
1sSSoe Road such an enterprise? With hon
issfy and energy in the work, the completion OF
fhe road will become source of wealth and
credit to the State. Cannot these be obtained
without abandoning the work? If there has
sbeen fraud or misappropriation OF the State
bonds issued for the aid of this road, let it be
/, eYnased and the guilty parties punished. Ii
none can be discovered, let the work progress.
;SSVe are noS willing that the bad conduct OF any
officer of the corporation should work the de-
Ssat or nreiudice OF this great enterprise, nor
ssrewe read yto admit ehst the alleged sinsof the
: President are Intentionally criminal and un-
Aerdonable. While q reckless disregard OF the
interests of the State controlled in the land
! business and other jobs, such has not been the
: casse, in the management OF the Blue hldge en-
terpr;se Whether ornot the Presloentused I'M
.-aneT means 10 induce legislation necessary to
= cant;nnance of the work, ne has-certainly not
converted - the funds appropriated to this end to
b;s nwn personal elnolument, nor has he pitt
Isssiy I sacrificed them. Granting there have
;f,eeT ;mnroper influences brought to bear upon
tbe Leoislature in the interests of this road, we
: s-s d;snosed to look leniently upon them, as
1,roceeding from an error of judgment, rather
: fhen of integrity We know the strong per-
so,al interest the President of this road has
SsIt =, its completion, both from its Importance
- The State and strong local interests OF the
8 t,n.conntry we know with what assidulty and
snergg he lsbored to revive the work after the
war ,sy Eve know how, abandoning an established
and lucrative practice, he devoted himself sole
h, and exclusively to this great enterprise; and
with all this, how he has persistently refused TO
sacrifice the bonds issued In its interest; These
are facts, as we believe, and however the Prest
dent may have erred, we think 1t fortunate ior
.o,r people that he has held the position ne
'Je Joes We do not design to attempt the -vindi-
cst;on of President Harrison. He is amply
sbSe tn take care of himself. Our interests lie
IN the continuance of the road. While we ia
yor retrenchment and reform, while we adyo-
-cote the abolition of useless Offices and the re-
Sd,ct;on of salaries, we cannot believe the IN
tsrests - of the Taxpayers will be promoted by
Shondoning an enterprise in which 30 much has
been invested and from the completion OF which
So @ Great benefits are reasonably expected to
HoT. Money expended in this work will am
.Dfy reniunerate the taxpayers. Whether o or
not the bonds become an absolute DEBT OF IN the
State. the road will repay the investment IN tne
ne 't Of lands and NJ the development of the indus
trial resources of the State. we 6elleye the
Convention very properly considered the mat
ter and referred the resolutions to counsel, but
we think, too, the opinion should be made pub
lie as soon as possible. Courier.
AGED CITIZENS DEAD-A Pickens cores
pondent of the Keowcc Courier furnishes the
1' Two of our oldest citizens died last week
lanes Keith, aged near 100, and William Oil