The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-04-02
COLUMBIAN s. G.
Thuraday Morning. April 3. 1874.
The "Air-Line', from Charle.ton to
Chicago.

The elaborate report Of Major Nioho.
las j. Vail. Acting Director. to the
Board Of Directors OF the Ohicago and
South Atlantic Railroad Company, at a
meeting held in Chicago, in January
last, is work we'll deserving the careful
study of our people. It is mine of
most valuable information. Upon rising
from its perusal. one wonders why men
Of capital and enterprise, of foresight
and good Judgment. do not, without
any unnecessary delay, complete the
wanting links in line Of railway which
promises the most magnificent results OF
any now projected. The whole tone and
scopso Of the report. as we'll as it's facts.
suggestions ard dedustioas, are admirn-
BILE. The possibilities which it so lu.
cidIy presents, seem almost within our
graep az we read. At one end is O..
cago. the great grain depot of the
world md the centre of railway sys-
tenn which embraces the whole North
west. Here gathers the great vol ame of
supplies, impericusiy calling for new
and cheaper outlets. by which they may
be distributed TO the hungry South. At
the other is Charleston, an old aud
famous city. with population OF 90. 900
souls. and having already good ruilroad
Communications with the interior. It's
history shows it to bo superior to disas-
ter, whether of fire or the devastations
Of war. It is recovering from prostra-
hoD, and directing its energies to seIz.
ing the advantages OF direct trade with
Europe, and OF realizing its dream OF
this connection with the North west. It's
harbor is deep. large and beautiful. It's
only lack is depth of water on the bur
at the entrance. The requisite deepen
ing to allow the entry Of the largest yes.
sels, can be made for small sum com.
paratively, aud Government appropri-
alton could. no doubt, BIZ secured to
effecs it. These are tho objective points.
The interests that lie between them and
radiate. from them in every direction.
although facts plain to be seen, duzzle
the imagination like fiotions.
Tnere ia some talk in the North west
OF a now line to New York and the East.
Major Vail considers its merits and
necessities TO be far excelled by thoee Of
This route. Not only, he argues. can
the sea be reached in a much less dis.
tance. but population Of 5000. 900 in
! the South would he supplied with the
staples they now import over lengthy
routes, and their principal distrib uting
points brought within from 500 to 700
miles Of Chicago. or only one-third of
the distance by which the bulk OF those
bupplies now reaches them. He says
that enough lines are already built to
ehe East to supply the legitimate de.
nands of trade. What is Supplied to
Phem above their consumption ''gives
10 them ths power, under the present
7Taer of things. &c further oppress and
: lob both the West and the South"
He is. therefore. clearly and emphati-
(ally in favor Of the North. west placing
fself in direct communication with the
pnsumers of it's surplus products by the
hortest and cheapest routes possible,
J. nd both producer and consumer must
roft by it. "The only sufferers" he
bys, "will be the Eastern or middle
- ben, whose, occupation will then be
pne. This road will not only supply
pc South-our principal consnme. on
his continen.-bat it is also in winter,
he only time when rail is much used
moving grain.) the shortest and
heapest route to Europe, and very
: ach the shortest and cheapest route to
e West Indies and South America"
= adopting the policy of opening direc!
bde with it's consumers. the great
birth west will reap ali the benefits Of
own productions and achieve com
troial and financial independence.
pjor Vail briefly but forcib]y points
at tho harmonizing political effect
ich snch connection will produce
tween the hitherto divided sections
upon the fnture of CON mon coun.