The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-20
Investigating the Railroads.


Institute proceedings against the Char
lotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad,
FOR alleged violations Of it's charter.
IN response to his advertisement the
merchants Of Winnsboro, along with
other parties, have laid their gricv-
anccs before him. The matters of which
they complain are legion, rs will APP
pear doubtless when the case comes
for trial. The main question is the
old charge that the Charlotte, Column
bia and Augusta road tore up its track
connecting with the South Carolina
road, and not only neglected to make the
connection us required in its charter,
but absolutely refused to carry any
freight whatever consigned over the
South Carolina Railroad. There ap-
pears to be no doubt of the facts of the
case; but we learn that, rs justifica-
ton, the plea is made that the Char
lottc, Columbia and Augusta road
had no cars of its own and borrowed
from the Wilmington road, under the
express agreement that all freight to
Charleston was to be consigned by
that routcl This poverty is u matter
Of surprise to outsiders, who would
hardly presume that road owning
special presidents coaches would be
deficient in necessary rolling stock.
Admitting this poverty, was an offer
ever made to borrow cars from the
South Carolina road on the same
terms? lfso, and that company re-
fused to accept the offer, no wonder
1t has plunged headlong into bank
ruptcy. 1t may be urged that the
Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta
road was not on speaking terms with
the South Carolina road. No doubt
both roads We're equally to blame, for
railroads, they say, these dNys "ncvcr,
that is, hardly ever" do right. But
this is a matter Of no moment what
ever TO the State or to The eonsignols
who wish to ship their freight to suit
themselves. The two roads were
joined together by Il Legislature
which, in investing them with valua-
bic franchise, had the object in view
of providing Tor State system CT
railways; and no set OF officials could
put these roads asundcr until they
were divorced by the authority that
linked them together.
AS a mere matter Of policy, it was a
grave blundcr to allow the wrangling
Of hostile corporations to inconvcni-
encc the business public. Even then
the spirit Of the Granger was abroad
in the land; and it had already visited
with heavy hands huge monopolics in
the North that had throttlcd whole
N'- -->A .,"""'.--- i III ;.>el"ct,;oe k,, q
soulless policy. Whether through the
light of experience, the qualms Of con-
science, or the fear Of a peoples atl-
ministration, we know not which,
some sort of connection by way of
Robin Hoods barn has been at last
established, but not until, through
pickering, one road has fallen into the
hands Of a receiver, while the other is
threatened with loss Of its charter,
Another point Is that tl,u Charlotte,
Columbia ana Augusta road has prac-
tiscd discrimination in ncights, churg-
Ing for intermediate points along the
route much higher rate Of tariff than
Tor terminal points. BY reason Of
this the farmers of Fairfield were COM
pclled to leave their former trading
places in the county and 60 to Chester,
Camden or Columbia, thus cntailil,g
OH themselves extra expense and
trouble, and Oh tho merchants serious
loss IN business. Tho welfare Of the
entire country is bound up in the
welfare of all its ports, and tic de-
probation of property in towns throws
extra proportionatc taxation on the
country. Besides, were trcights the
same for all points, and tho prices Of
cotton and goods cqualizcd at all
points, the farmer would make more
by going to tho more conveniently
located trading place. A bill pre-
venting discrimination was vetoed by
"o'SAhoA ho1ApIoH. We tnlnk he
made a grave mistake. Tho bill was
carefully drawn after careful study Of
the laws of all tho States, not only
tho Western States, but such old
commonwealth as Massachusetts,.
The Legislature should try Governor
Simpson. What tho present practice
Of tho road is, we have inquired, but
have not learned. The railroad may
be somewhat rcticcnt on this point.
1t is to be hoped that the persuasive
cloquencc ofthe encouragement may
elicit free confidence.
Another grievance is that the road
charges for cotton by bulk instead of
weight, so that the tariff on a bale of
cotton Is a dollar and half instead Of
eighty-onc cents. 1t may as well be
said here that the charter is silent on
this point and tho question is ono for
court to decide. But cotton is by
no means bulky article. a car can
easily be filled with cotton bcvond its