The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-10-10

us StUCk SecttiS GiiS3 Nio 49,
sist in passing the bill through both branches
of the General Assembly, over the Governors
veto; 1 did thi, without "reward or promise OF
reward" as the following certificate will show :;
Icertify that Mr.. John r. Cochran was my
friend in the canvass before the Legislature, to
pass the bill for the relief of the Greenville and
Columbia Railroad Company. Ills services
were invaluable to me and to the company
which represent. His services were rendered
without reapard or the promise Of reaoard, but
entirely from sense of duty to the section OF
country where he lives. 1t affords me much
pleasure to have the opportunity to make this
statement, and hope his services will be duly
appreciated by the stockholders of the road
and the citizens interested in its continuance
and nrosnerity. II. P HAMMETT,
President G. & G. r. r. Co.
Cblumbia, S. c., March 10, 1869.
You will observe the certificate was given
about the time the bill passed, when most OF
the men interested in the stock and bonds were
my bitter political enemies, and let no oppor-,
tunity to abuse me 60 unimproved; neverthe-
less, did my duty, as the certificate will show.
did this at the risk of being removed from
my position as County Auditor by the Govern
or, who, with Mr.. Tomlinson, were the most
active in forcing the road into sale. Some time
afterwards, the President generously made
present of one thousand dollars to member of
my family, and to that owe much of my sue
cess and prosperity. assert that while work
ing for the passage of the bill, did not expect
any remuneration whatever, but was looking
directly and only TO the interest of the County
and State.
Second, advocated, in 1868, the Blue Ridge
endorsement bill, believing then, as do now,
that it was good measure, one that would
be of vast interest to the State; almost every
Democratic paper in the State advocated it, and
most of the Democrats voted for its passage,
and think they did right am not, neither
are they, nor can we be held responsible for
the failure of the enterprise, for all admit that
if the bonds had been sold and the money ap-
piled, the road could have been finished to
Clayton, and its completion thereby made GER
tain; which, with good State government,
would have placed South Carolina in position
to raise cotton at a lower price than any other
Southern State, an object that the wisest of her
statesmen battled for years ago. While advo-
eating the bill, " was not promised cent for
my services, nor did 1 expect it, in proof of
which, hereby insert the certificate of the
President:
I take pleasure in stating that Mr.. John R.
Cochran was my friend in the interest OF the
Blue Ridge Railroad Company, in the Conven-
ton in Charleston, in January, 1868, ard after,
wards before the Legislature, in August and
September, 1868, that his services were faith
fully and iudiciously performed, and invalua-
Bile to me, and were rendered without any
promise of remuneration whatever.
J. w. HARRISON,
President B. r. r. r. Co.
March s, 1859.
Third, I advocated the passage of bill
granting time for the Port Royal Railroad to
be completed, hoping that when the road was
built to Augusta, the Company would see the
necessity of connecting with the Blue Ridge
road at Anderson. No one will think for
moment that the State could be injured by
granting an extension of time to complete the
road under their charter, no assistance being
asked for at that time or since to aid in build
ing it. However, bill to aid this and other
roads did pass the House, and came up for con-
sideration in the Senate. was employed by
the bond-hoiders and railroads having the State
endorsement on their bonds, to defeat them. l
did all in my power, and with the assistance of
certain Senators, succeeded. If the Port Royal
bill had passed, ten millions of dollars would
have been added to the State debt for the diff
ferent railroad interests asking aid were COM
biued to strengthen each other, and the passage
of one insured the success of the others. That
was handsomely rewarded by the bondhoders
and railroad companies for my services, do
not deny. No one can attach any blame to me
in this, for in serving my own interests, did
that which was benefit to the State; and
have certainly invested the money among you.
In proof of what 1 say, l insert portion of
the report of Senator Leslie, who was Chair
man of the Committee on Railroads, and his
letter on the subject; also, a few extracts from
the letters Of prominent men.
Extract from Committees report:
1.-The C0mmlttee unanimously Iecohnehu
that the consideration of this the Port Royal
Railroad Bill, and all similar Bills, be indef-
nitely postponed. Z. L; LESLIE, >,
Extract from letter of c. 2. Leslie:
DEAR SIR: The contest is over, r. r. are
defeated. and to no one more than John r.
Cochran is this result due.
G. P. LESLIE.
March 2lst, 1862.
Extract from letter of G. G. Puffer:
My DEAR SIR: take great pleasure in as
suring you that but for your unwearied labors
and influence in the Senate, the postPonement
of the Port Royal and other roads must have
failed. Very respectfully,
G.. Q. PUFFER,
Attorney Chatham Road.