The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-12
THE Blue RIDGE ASSOCIATION.
Their Plan OF Completing the Road.

From the Anderson Inte!lgencer.l
Some weeks ago It was announced in these
columns that arrangements were then pro-
crossing for an effective programme looking
TO the early completion Of this great enter
prise, 80 long cherished BY the people OF this
State. The consummation of these arrange
ments is now made public. The State stock In
leading Citizens and influential capitalists OF this
State, together with persons of ample
means and influence l,s In New w York: !,
condition that the State shall be pro-
tected from loss upon the s4,0O0,000 guar
anteed bonds, and that the road shall be COM
pleted within five years from the date OF trans
fer. The sum agreed to be paid for the stock
is merely nominal. 1t is true, but the new
company amply reimburses the State by afford
ing projection from any loss upon the State
guarantee, and by the rapid completion OF
the enterprise. Besides, 1t Is agreed that the
State shall receive ten thousand dollars per
annum for five years after the completion of
the road as q further payment for the stock
now transferred. We are not at liberty, per-
haps, to mention the names OF gentlemen
forming this new company, but we can as
sure the public that many Of our most honored
and respected clLizens are included In this
combination of capital and influence, as will
be acknowledged when the transfer Is entirely
made, and their names are given to the
world.
The plan for the completion of the road is
to change the gauge to three feet, and surveys
will be commenced without delay to make the
contemplated alteration. 1t is believed that
the s'narrow gauge" as 1t Is termed, will an
swer every purpose for the most extensive
business aud traffic ever claimed for this road:
The subject has been thoroughly matured, and
all the sources OF information eXhaustively ex-
plored. with view to the proposed change.
The facilities tor meeting the demands of trade
and commerce are confidently expected to
prove adequate under the narrow-gauge sys-
ton and the low cost of operating the road.
when completed afford the strongest Induce
ments for trial of this system, which ls ct.
tracing so much attention throughout the
civilized globe.
The Blue Ridge Ms Narrow Gauge
Railrond-The Saving Ina Cost.
From the Chester Reporter.l
Colonel Lows investigations of this subject
clearly demonstrate that all the early preju.
dices against the narrow gauge system have
been successfully overcome by forty years
experience In Europe, and that the same ex-
perience has demonstrated the tact that all
the excess of capital Involved In the building
OF wider roads has been wasted on works dis.
proportioned to the duties they had to per-
form. He estimates the probable cost of com.
pleting the Blue Ridge Railroad and furnishing
It with rolling stock, for the five feet gauge,
81, $40, 900; to which must be added, ior retir-
Ing the old debt and paying the floating debt,
$500, 900. Toward this sum of s5,340, 900
endorsed bonds, say $500, ,00O leaving a
cash capital. to be raised, OF IS, lao, 900. The
adoption of the three feet gauge, he estimates,
would result In a sav.ng on construction and
equipment equal to s., 100000, leaving to be
raised by cash subscription to preferred stock
only 81, 900, 900. It is also estimated that the
reduced working cost for the same amount of
per cent. on the Investment, While on the
wider gauge only three per cent. could be re-
allied.
The discussion leads Colonel Low to the con-
clusions-Flrst. That the three feet gauge will
answer all the requirements OF the prospective
traffic OF the road. Second. That the saving
iu first cost will be immense, enough in fact,
to place the completion OF the road within
reach, by raising 81, 900, 090 OF additional capt.
tai. while It seems impractlcable to obtain the
large sum necessary for FIVE feet line. Third.
That being built, the narrow gauge will be
much more economical In working, the eX-
pense being only 524, instead OF 10 per cent.
of the gross receipts.
These conclusions, 80 lar as they relate TO
the requirements and expense OF railroads,
are alike applicable to every road in the South
ern States. And while all practical men will
agree with Colonel Low, that the narrow
gauge system presents the most feasible plan
Tor the construction of the Blue Ridge Road,
it is also clear that the stockholders
and Individuals be benefited, were
all our roads now In operation to adopt the
narrow gauge; az, quoting from the pamphlet
before us: "Every inch added 10 The width Of
gauge, beyond what Is absolutely. necessary
/ for the traffic, adds to the COSTS OF construc-
tion. increases the proportion of dead weight,
| Increases the cost of working, and, in con-
sequence, increases the tariffs to the public,
and by 80 much, reduces the useful effect of
1 tha railway