The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-01
Ool. Nvn. Johnston.

mandatory of the energetic President of
the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta
Railroad:
In these timos Of political excitement,
which is absorbing 30 much Of public
attention, and causing many to forget
or overlook the valuable services in pub
lie enterprises which have been condu-
Give to the welfare of the people, State
and country, rendered by private indi-
viduals, it is proper that at times refer
ence be made to such gentlemen and the
parts they have performed in mid of the
public welfare, and wo conceive such to
be duty which the press owe to such
public benefactors and to the people.
Iu this respect, no man in the State
has surpassed Col. VIM. Johnston, if any
have equalled him. 10 make good our
assertion. wo submit the following record
OF him as n railroad president aud tinau-
cier, which wo have taken paius to col
lect, and the facts are indisputable-
showing administrative abilities Estates
manship) of the first order. aud posi-
ton worthy of true son Of North Ca
rolina.
Since the war, there was built aud re-
built nearly 200 miles of railroads in
North and South Cnrolina, without :.uy
State aid from either, among O poor,
destitute peoplo-much of the country
along the line having been laid in utter
ruin by Sherman's army, and almost in
state Of revolution, without confidence,
pecuninry means or credit in it, To re-
build about fifty miles of tho Charlotte
and South Cnroliua Railroad, its shops
and bridges. with all its war debts hang
ing upon him, We learn that Col. John
ston only nd nbOnt seventy-threc tales
of cottau. When the war closed, about
sis. 600 worth nf grading only WAS done
on tho Columbln aud Augusta Railruud-
the company saving out of the wreck
about 900 bales OF cotton. In the fall
OF 1866. Tho stockholders requested him
to go on aud build the road. In 1870,
the road WINS finished, and is eighty We
miles llong. The Cougaree aud Savan-
uah bridges nlone cost over $500, 600 in
the ng9regate-more than the proceeds
OF the sale OF the cotton and all other
means Of the company in hand when he
began the work; while the road cost over
tpo millions Of dollars!
During the entire construction of this
road, amid the other almost insuperable
| difficulties he had to contend with, the
South Carolina Railroad-the most pow
| erful corporation in the State-fought
him with her heaviest artillery, bringing
suit after suit against his enterprise in
almost every form known to the law.
LII all this he succeeded beyond the
most sanguine expectations, as President
for his road. Huw he ever realized the
funds or sustained his credit to get
through. has been mystery to the best
railroad men and fuanciers of the coun-
try.
Iu June last, he finished rebuilding
forty seven miles more of road from
Charlotte to Statesville, and built it in
FIVE and half monthsl public Jour-
nal has remarked that Col. J. "has done
more for the Improvement and develop
ment of North Carolina than any man
living" How much more has he done,
however, for South Carolina-having
built over 130 miles of road within her
limits? In truth, the opinion is, that he
has done for her material prosperity
more than any citizen of that State
Without any aid from either State, he
had. III 1870, constructed moro miles of
new road than all other railroad officers
in both States, while they had millions
of bonds used in their mid. No man
South of the Potomac, since the war.
has been able to accomplish such results
with double the means. It is said that
when he first built the Charlotte and
Statesville Road, before the war, he
began it with only $4,000. If to ac-
complsh much with small means, and
under the most unfavorable conditions
OF tho country, is evidence of ability,
then ho has shown it in the highest de-
gree. He has added much to the wealth
and resources OF North and South Caro-
lima, by his great energy and decided
ability. If he is a bcnefactor who makes
one blade OF grass grow whero none
grew before, how much arc tho people
OF North and South Carolina indebted
to ono who had to improvise his means,
and. almost unaided, added millions to
their estates. Let tho stockholders Of
the roads, and the planters on the line
OF the Columbia and Augusta Railroad,
estimate their profits.
It is admitted TINT Col. Johnston has
been tho leading spirit in the internal
improvements radiating from Charlotte.
While he may have been firm and exact
in his official relations, representing
others, no one has personally contri-
buted more literally to worthy and bo-