The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-01
CHARLESTON In 1872.
TIE PROGRESS, CONDITION AND
PROSPECTS OF TIE CITY.

TIE PROGRESS, CONDI1ION AMI
PROSPECTS OF TIE CITY.
a. Steady Increase Of Commerciai
Transactions and Resources-Hard
Work In the Old Year, und Bright
Auguries for the New.
We present herewith to the readers OF The
NEWS careful and candid review Of the pro-
gress made during the past twelve months In
the commerce and Industry Of the City OF
Charleston, and the retrospect Of tie year be-
comes matter of pleasure when the results
re shown, without any attempt at exaggera-
hn or over statement, to be 30 substantial
I'd encouraging, and the prospects for the
future give so gatherings promise of contin-
led and increased prosperity. The recent
commercial history of Charleston has been
the story of gallant struggle for success
( sgainst host of difficulties, and her present
2 position Is the evidence Of substantial vic
tory, which gives promise of being as lasting
as 1t has been complete.
The close of the civil war found Charleston
paralyzed and powerless, with perhaps as
utter a loss OF means as had ever befallen
community, and surrounded by cities whose
fortunes had been less severe, striving Indus.
triously tor the commerce which had been
her life blood She might we'll at the start
have been almost without hope of ever re-
gaining lie full measure of her old renown, but
now, after nearly eight years of Jealous labor,
che has reason to believe that her position is
again assured, and that the near future will
show far brighter phase of commercial llte
than has been seen in the recent
past. This feeling Of growing conf
dence Is now apparent on every side, and
1t Is based upon the patent fact OF the city's
steady advancement in all those elements OF
prosperity which sustain or restore great
cities. Her history in the past has LETT every
thing to endear her to her sons and Southern
nelghbors; her people have been ever gene
rous, upright and honorable; her record has
been without stain, and the reputation OF
her merchants has been the synonym of In
A-ity and commercial Eonor. Since her
-lsastera, the toll of rehabilitation has oeel
hard, and the demands for self-denial have
been great, but she has struggled to attain
her reward without descending TO the de-
moralization which has become too common
in modern business circles, and the evidences
OF her success in this effort are afforded in the
facts below cited of her recent business
history:
Railroad Interests.
The various lines of railroads, which nave
their terminal points In Charleston, and Whicn
form her commercial avenues and feeders, are
now in better condition than tor many years.
This is particularly true Of the South Carolina
Railroad, which has now greater capacity IN
many important respects TOR meeting the de-
mands for transportation than at any former
period In Its history. Its connections nave
been increased during the year by the co-ope-
ration of the Greenville aud Columbia Road
ind by the purchase of controlling Interest
I the Macon and Augusta Railroad, which
aabie 1t to reach to the base OF the Blue
,.dee and to the centre of the Southern cot
ron belt. The Northeastern Railroad has also
enlarged Its sphere of operations, and affords
superior facilities for the transportation OF
both freight and passengers, and the Savan-
nah and Charleston Railroad furnishes an
important vehicle Of trade between this city
and the southwestern portion Of the State,
and is In a satisfactory aud fourshing con-
dition.
3, The straight seaboard line kom ibis city to
Norfolk on the narrow gauge phn, which has
lately been chartered in the tsree States,
r&omlses TO be an important channel for pas
Gngers and light freight, and if itca' be run
at an average speed of thirty miles per hour,
,t will certainly restore the great passenger
and mail route through Charleston, and give
her back,the valuable revenues lost oy shert-
sighted policy some twenty years ago With
the speedy trains that might be run along the
level seaboard of the South Atlantic States, a
achedule might be maintained from New 1ork
n the Cult which would defy competition.
These and Other railroad developments in
nrospect, promise to largely assist inrestoring
tbe City of Charleston TO the commanding
nosjtion 10 which her location entities her as
the metropolis aud entrepdt Of the South At
lantc.
of the city has been fairly active, upon
healthy and substantial basis. prominent
dszler syncpsized the history and the condi-
tTpu of the market about as follows. He said:
..There have been more vacant lots sold for
bulding purposes in 1872 than In any prev-
ons wear since the late unplessantness, and
snch lots have commanded fair and even good
prices. There has been no speculative fever,
and there are no symptoms of any such fever
az long as the taxes remain as they arei but
there Is O steady and increasing demand ioT
"hullding lots, and there has been during the
psst year marked revival in the building
trade. There have been, however, number
Of pieces of property sold, for which the prices
received have been far less than they should
have been, but these have been mostly cases
.ot forced sales of establishments that are too
large for our present style of living. The aver
age Charleston family Of 1872 don't want
tarpe house with an Isolated kitchen, big yarc
saud carrage-house; and such pieces Of pro
perly, when they have to be sold, fare badly
nnder the hammer or at private sale. There
ia no trouble, however, in selling propert.
ranging In value anywhere from five to elgh
or nine Thousand dollars, aud this must o'
taken as az indication Of the thrifty circum
atances of the middle class OF citizens, who's
onfa IN