The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-04-30
Sale Of II tie Blue Ridge Railroad.


eisThe Assignses Of the Blue Ridge Railroad
advertise that the franchise and all other prop
ertyn Of the corporations in South Carolina,
Georgia aud North Carolina will be sold at
public auction in Charleston on Thursday,
18th of May. The announcement has not at
tracted much attention, and there is great
probability that this valuable property will be
purchsed for mere song. The bonded debt
of the road is about S4Oo, 900, and it would seem
reasonable that the holders of these bonds
should combine for its purchase and control.
As yet there is no indication of such move
menss and for the lack ofsuch concert of action,
the boadholdsss are alIteIy todbes left iucthe
fureh, with only poartfyn Of their debt secured
The property consists, 81. thirty-two miles Of
rasd ino actual use, .retesping fair profit
from iss operations and alone worth the entire
Bonded debt. Besides, over s2,OOO.Oo0 are
already expended in South Carolina and Geor-
gia towards its ultimate completion to Knox
willie, and it is the opinion of competent and
experienced engineers that the road can be
completed for less money than will be required
for any similar connection with the great
West.
1t may be expected that the South Carolina
Railroad viii endeavor to purchase this valua-
bIe tributary to its resources and business.
We cannot find much encouragement there
from, however. Its management of the Green
Vile and Columbia Railroad has not impressed
the people of this section favorably, and a more
absolute control Of the Blue Ridge will not
lessen the burdens of monopoly, operated
solely for. the benefit of q bare majority of
stockholders. Besides, Charleston has SEEM
ingly abandoned its favorite route to the West,
and is now seeking another connection. The
staunchest advocates of the Blue Ridge route
ere ignoring their past record, and devoting
their energies to a different scheme Under
these circumstances, we are not anxious to
perpetuate the present management of the
Bios Ridge Railroad, where the prospect would
be exceedingly doubtful of an additional mile
being constructed within the next twenty
years. zsll i'ai2!9Ho'f'f ~"
! TIE owners Of the Air Line Railroad, too,
might become the purchasers, with a view of
operating the present line, as feeder to their
main tftapk, and thereby afford some competi-
ton chat would prove beneficial to our local
interests, without the slightest intention of pen
etrating the mountains or perfecting the long
cherished scheme of a direct connection with
tberWest. True, this would afford temporary
relief. but it does not satisfy the ambition of
our people, nor will it accomplish the proper
development of this section of the State.
In word, we look upon the sale Of the Blue
Ridge Railroad with gloomy apprehensions for
the future. After many years of ardnous
struggling to win the prize, the hopes and as
pirations of its friends will likely 60 down
with the purchase of this, extensive property
for an insignificant sum. All that has been
accomplished hitherto will become mere ap-
peDdaee to another corporation, and it will
require years Of toll and energetic effort to
retrieve the vantage ground.