The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-02-21
COLUMBIA, s. G..
Saturday Morning. February 2l, 1874.
Tho spartnnburg and AshcvilIo Rail-
road. in


The spartnnburg and AshcvilIo Rail-
road. I'D
The success Of this enterprise is o
vast Importance to the whole State, aud
especially to the cities of Charleston
and Columbia. Draw line on the mnI
from Charleston by Columbia and Spar
tanbnrg, S. O., Asheville and Paint
Rock, N. O., thence to Cumberland
Gap, thence through Kentucky. con
Meeting with roads leading to Cincin
natl and Louisville. and on to Ohicago
and you will be surprised to see how
near an airline it will be. The propo'
sition is first to build fron1 Spartanburg
to Asheville. distapos OF about seven
ty-four miles, crossing the Blue Ridge
at Butt Mountain'Gap. This route has
twice been aceurately survcyed-frs by
Major MoNei1, in 1886 and 1887, which
was adopted as the location of the
Louisville, Cincinnati and Charleston
Railroad, which route Gen. r. Y. Huync,
in-his address to tho stockholders, pro-
nounced to be "without q parallel in the
topography OF the world"
It was surveyed again in 1859 by Maj
McCalla, fully sustaining tho former
survey. proving that tho route by Butt
Mountain and the valley of the French
Broad was by far the cheapest and
shortest line by which tho great produce
country OF the West can be connected
by rail with the Atlantic Ocean. a
table of DISTANCES carefully prepared
proves this beyond doubt. One very
remarkable feature in this line is that
from Asheville. N; O.. to Spartanburg,
S. O., there 10 no grade coming South
over forty feet per mile, and very few
miles going North oyer that grade. It
may truly be said that nature has
pointed out the true route, and it
only remains for man to do his
part. Running, as it does, directly
through the centre of the State by CO.
lumhia aud on to Charleston. gives it
tho Importance OF u State enterprise.
But we do not expect any aid from the
State. The prospective benefits of this
line of communication to Columbia can
not be over-estimated. Located as this
city is, in the centre of the State, it
would become distributing point for
the vast products of the West, which
the cotton planter must have, and it's
magnificent water power would give it
unsurpassed manufacturing Advantages
The health and agreeableness of the
climate. with The various railroads
centreing here, would attract capi.
tai and labor, both of which are
greatly needed. With skilled labor,
mechanics of all kinds, manufactures
and increased railroad facilities, Colum-
bla would rise from her ashes, and be-
cone the Atlanta Of South Carolina. It
is also to be remembered that this route
will tap the extensive coal fields OF Ten
nessee and Kentucky, and bring to our
doors an inexhaustible supply of coal,
both for fuel and manufacturing pur-
poses, at very cheap rate. No one
who surveys the whole premises can fail
to be convinced that. notwithstanding
our present embarrassed situation, the
objects to BIZ attained are of immense
Importance to the future of the city.
Every man who will look to his own in
terest and the prosperity OF the whole
people. should come forward and aid to
the extent of bis ability. Much more
might be said in favor of immediate
action. It is enough to remark, thut
delays are dangerous. If we fail to take
advantage of the present opportunity, it
will pass from us forever. Others more
enterprising will step in and take the
prize.
The Tax-Payers' Convention.
'Vhia h0dv cOn ooood of fha IooI;r ~