The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-07-27

urcs and honest facts. And there will be re-
hex bcneft from the building of the road. Be-
fore the building of the Narrow Gauge Railroad
to Chester the freight upon bacon from Cincin-
natti was Sl.57 per cwt., now il is Sc cents per
cwt. Thus will the necessaries of life be cheap
ened Hnd-snong people like this, who de
not feed themselves how emnently wise to build
a road which will enable them to sell in the
dearest market and buy in the cheapest This
has been experience in Chester, and there
is why the same results should not
follow again. But the farmers say they do not
pay the cost of transportaton that the taxes
are too high that the increased Tux from the
cost Of the road will overcome any benefit to be
derived. But do they not realize that they do
pay the cost Of transportation. Do they suppose
that the commission merchants OF the large ci-
ties holy army ct good Samari,ans, who
have an eye single to their good? No, indeed
The farmer pays the cost of transportation in
the lcsscncd value of his products--in the un-
necessary difference in the value of his products
at his deor and at the point of their desina-
ton. Suppose, for example, were to try to
make n bargain with my phiosophic friend
| there, T.. Smith, TO hire his wagon and team to
haul II load to Chester; to start at early dawn
and return late What should have to pay
Say five dollars per day. Now, if his team and
wagon is worth SIS 90 to hire, is it not worth
more to him on his farm with his own labor su-
peraldcd? The difference between those two
sums will serve to illustrate the amount paid by
him in the way of indirect taxation. The farm
ers of South Carolina have, all their lives been
wasting their substance in indirect taxation.-
Their long suffering is moro deserving of COM
mcndation than the renowned patience Of job
If | were called upon 10 define a South Carolina
farmer, should say he was who works his
land and boards himself for nothing.
1t is practicable to build the road The road
is n necessity for more reasons than eue The
ordinary highway is almost impassable There
is no such system of roads in the world as in
South Carolina. No doubt our friends from
Union have had their views greatly Strengthened
by the travel over the roads to-day 1t was,
therefore, sound judgment to select this as the
place of meeting. They have doubtless observed
that wo have not yet adopted system of ma
cadamzcd roads. The civilization of country
is measured by its roads. From the narrow
| trail which could be followed only by the keen
eye of the Indian up to the broad and level turn
pike, the successive stages of n country's civil
ization be marked. Roads arc the vicns
and arteries Of commerce and you may look
for clouds and darkness until your country is
travcrscd by good roads. Your magnificent
and neglected wa;crcourscs and waterp0wers
can never bc utilized without Railroad The
MI nI Sl, or
river near at hand, should bo hushed in the hum
of busy spndles. But this cannot be without
a railroad to transport the material and products
The first Inquiry OF the manu- uiacturcr is con-
ccrning transportation. Res, assured that I'M
til this Railroad is built you will be in the grip
of hard tines.
We hear great complaint Of the high rate of
| interest. If you would reduce the rate of inter-
est, increase the amount of capital for the bor-
rover. Build your railroads and attract the
capital. You cannot attract immigration with
out railroads. What immigrant would care to
come here when he learns that he is fifteen miles
from railroad, and that the cost of transporta-
ton of those fifteen miles is perhaps greater than
1900 miles at the North.
Some will suggest that that the Railroad
will benefit only the lands through which il pas
SOS. If it is admitted that the lands traverSed
by the road will be benefited then it follows
that all other lands in the county will be bcnc-
fitted. For instance, it requires about $4,000
per annum to carry on the Chester County gov
ernmcnt. Suppose the whole property of Chcs-
| ter county to he be valued ut 81 600 900. To
raise the sum of $40 900 tax of one per cent
on all property will therefore be required. But
| it is admitted that the building of the railroad
will increase the value of the lands along its
| line; then, of course, there will be IL greater
| value with which to pay the tax. Suppose the
value should be increased to 81, 100000, then
tax Of only onc-half of one per cent will be re-
| Uuircd. And, as the tax falls upon all alike
therefore the benefits will reach the remo est Sec
tions. Our experience in Chester is that all the
| lands havo advanced in value since the building
| of the Narrow Gauge railroad.
| But the way to build railroads is to commence
| We should begin now. The corporators should
| exercise thCir powers here and now. Vacancies
should be filed and an organization perfected,
and Surveyors put upon the route.
Speeches were made by DR.. a. u. Wiley and
Col. f. II. Atkinson, of Chester, and Robt W.
Shand Esq. and b. ID. Culp, Of Union.
On motion of Judge Mackcy meeting of the
| corporators of the Chester s. Union Rail Road
was called TO fill vacancies caused by death or
resignation.
Dr. a. II. Dayega was called to the chair and
Joseph Wiley requested to act as Secretary.
The following were elected to fill vacancies
Joseph Wiley and John j. Wilson, OF Chester