Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-09-18
To the People of the State.

To the People Of the State.
At meeting of the citizens of Colum-
bia, held August 81, 1878, the Messrs.
Sprague proposed 10 the citizens Of Colum
bio to form joint stock company, with a
capital stock of 650,0O0-the Columbia
Water Power Company to contribute all
its real and personal property. its rights,
franchises, &c, at the assessed sum OF
$685., 900; the citizens of the State to con-
tribute In cash the same amount in shares
of $1,000 each. As soon as reasonable
sum is raised, the conpany to be organiz-
ed, with Mr.. VIM. Sprague as its Presl-
dent; fifteen per cent of the subscribed
stock to be paid at the organization of the
company, and the balance in monthly in-
stallments Of ten per cent. The sum thus
raised to he expended in building the dam
across the Congaree, in erecting mill Tor
$1,000 spindles, and in other improve
ments. Resolutions. Of approval were
passed by the meeting, and DR.: J. w.
Parker, the Chairman, appointed COM
mittee to canvass the city and solicit SUBJ
scriptions. The committee is as follows,
viz: F. W. McAIaster, ]. NJ. Crawford,
W. B. Nash, ]. T. Sloan, Sr. ]. Quitman
Marshall, @, a. Darling, Joseph Taylor,
r. D. Sem, VIM Lowrance, :. 3. Thomp-
son, W. q. LyBrand.
The sum thus far subscribed amounts to
about SIC, 900, which the committee hope
speedily to increase within the limits OF
the city. Being impressed by the i'm
mense importance of the enterprise, not
only to Columbia, but to the whole State,
thev.respectfully solicit subscriptions to
this great work from all portions of the
State. The committee. believe the propo
sition Of the Messrs Sprague offers an
advantage to Columbia not enjoyed by
any city at the South The superior ia
cilities of factories cotton yarns at the
South have been frequently commented
on by the press, and illustrated by the
succesy of those who have engaged in
them. The special advantages of the
present project are as follows
l. The water power at Columbia is great
er thanin any city in the Atlantic States
and this power can be utilized at compar-
atively small expense.
2. AL the mill sites on the Congaree
in proximity of the canal belong to the
Columbia Water Power Company, which.
with other lands, amount to about Ito
acres, in thecorporate limits of the city
all of which will greatly advance in value
as soon as factory is erected.
s.. The people Of the State, in this en-
terprise, will gain the co operation Of the
Messrs. Sprague, who are amongst the
largest manufacturers in the world, which
of itself will insure its success.
4. The great want Of capital at the
South is the prime cause Of the failure OF
many joint stock companies which have
been started since the war. In this enter
prise, we have, as basis, the property OF
the Columbia Water Power Company, on
which 100000 has been expended-a
greater sum of money than has been IN
vested in any Southern State by any North
ern firm since the war.
5. The great experience of the Messrs.
Sprague in cotton factories augurs sue
cess for this project equal to any factory
in the South. The mere fact of Gov.
Sprague acting as President of the Com
pany will add to its credit.
The city of Augusta, which is similarly
situated with Columbia. aroused to the
necessity of enlarging her industrial re-
sources, has contributed S500,00O to build
her canal over space Of seven miles; and
at this very time, there is an agent in
England, endeavoring to induce capital
lists to invest there. At Columbia, we
have the water power at hand, and can
use it without an extended canal and
the csp!tal equal to the amount raised
hero 10 offered without our solicitation.
The committee cordially appreciate the
proHor Of the Messrs. Sprague and if it is
heartily endorsed by the citizens of the
State, they feel assured that IN q few years
the city of Columbia will spring forward
in the race of prosperity with other cities
of the South. She is now so circumvent-
ed by railroads that unless an effort is made
to enlarge resources by factories, her fu-
ture prosperity cannot be rapid. The rise
Of factories in her midst will be the in
crease Of her population and wealth.
To all who feel deep interest in the
welfare of our beautiful city and the pros
perity of our impoverished State We earn
estly appeal. We invite all who can
subscribe even single share of 500 in
the company, to lend us a helping hand.
Let US meet in fraternal kindness the pro-
position made by these Northern gentle
men, and it will do more to create peace.
to produce harmony, comfort and plenty
in our land. than anything that has been
presented since the war If we fail in this
project, the chances Of starting factories
here viii probably be postponed for ten
years.
Editors of papers throughout the State,
! fayorableto thisl erp4ises-a
70 extend this invitation. And those who
wish to obtain further information, may
address any member of the committee at
Columbia.
T w McNASTER