The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-02-05

All would agree that until few weeks
ago Charleston had dropped completely
out of consideration as one of the elements
of the railroad calculations of the country.
He had lately been examining very high
authority upon railroad matters, and it
had surprised him to see that, while in
the discussion of the Western connections
there vas a place for Wilmington, for
Savannah, for Brunswick and for Port
Royal, there was no place for Charleston.
Charleston was simply not considered at
all. This had impressed him with the
idea that Charleston, whatever her adj
vantages; had not managed them of late
so as to impress Upon the world her i'm
portalce as factor in the railroad world.
The first thing that we had to do, there
fore, was to make ourselves known, and
to keep ourselves known. For the last
ten or twelve years we had been content
to rest upon the reputation of what had
been done and what had been elected
years ago. During that time other par
ties and other cities not possessing our
advantages had gone to work and had
doie the thing which we had projected.
There are two lines of railways running
to the West-the Blue Ridge and the
Asheville route. His leaning had always
been towards the old Blue Ridge route.
1t was a good route, short route, and,
above all, it could be held absolutely free
and independent of any rival route. He
was still anxious to help the Asheville
route, but if he was compelled to choose
between the two he should choose the
Blue Ridge route. As to the proposed
plan there could be no objection to the
remission of the taxes and the authority
for corporate subscription. He believed
the completion of the road would be the
pouring of new blood into the veins of
the State, which was of more importance
to us than the benefting of any section
of the State. He did not think that the
representatives Of Charleston County,
however, should be Instructed as to the
particular mode of the help and relief
which shall be given to the road. If we
can get complete route to the West the
Charleston delegation would not be found
opposing it. Their constituents had the
fullest confidence in them, and would
heartily approve their action. For him
self he was in favor not only of remis-
sion of back taxes, but of the exemption
from taxation and of State aid to any
and every railway which would give us
a direct line to the West. He was Quite
willing, however, to leave the matter in
the hands of the Charleston delegation.
Mayor Courtenay said that the Ander-
son delegation seemed to be projecting
the completion of the line upon the
hypothesis that all that had been expend
ed upon the Blue Ridge Railroad was to
be thrown away. His view, and it was
largely shared in Charleston, was that
two things should be aimed at. First, as
to how and when to obtain possession of
the title to the road. No capital would
take it while it was in court. The State
had invested two millions and the city
million more in it, and the State and city
should be the owners. If any title was
to be obtained it should 60 into the hands
of the original subscribers. With the
title he did not think that there would be
any difficulty in completing the road.
He did not want the Anderson delega-
ton to 20 away with the idea that
Charleston was willing to surrender her
interest in the road if there was chance
with the State to get the title to the road.
The road was now in court and sale
would have to be made, and if possible
the city and State should get possession
of it. Even if the road could be built to-
morrow, what good would it be to the
State without its connections to the sea.
The Greeuville and Columbia Railroad
was under an order of sale, and the South
Carolina Railroad was also in a transition
state in the courts. So that in his opin-
ion it would be best to make haste slowly.
He would suggest that the best advice be
had as to the title and the feasibility of
repossession by the State and city of the
franchise, and then only so much legisla-
ton as was absolutely needed, namely, q
remission of the back taxes and exemp-
ton from current taxation for number
of wears. If the proper capital can be
secured to complete the Blue Ridge, and
the Greenville and South Carolina roads
can be secured, the great work will have
been accomplished. At present he did
not think it was prudent to do more than
take the preliminary steps. Charleston
was willing to do her share, but she had
already spent million dollars and paid
more than million more in interest on
the original subscription. Her first
thoughts, therefore, looked towards get
ting possession with the State OF the
property.
Mr. Murray said in reply that neither
the city nor the State had shadow of
title to the road. The franchise had
been sold in bankruptcy, and the stock
completely extinguished. 1t was now
owned by the bondholders, and the States
two million and Charlcston's million
completely obliterated. Besides this, if
this measure was put into o shape by
which the complications could be settled,
the State could easily hedge its gift in
such way as to afford complete protec-
ton to its interests. There was no time
to lose. The State of Georgia had two
charters out to go through the gap, and
if either one got through ahead of us!
either from Athens or Augusta, we should
lose the route, and all we could do would
be to tap them at Clayton, Ga. as there
was room for only one route through the
gap. If there was any trouble with the
Greenyille and Columbia Railroad il
could easily be gotten over. 1t would
only be necessary to complete the pro,
iected road from Anderson to Aiken, Of
which there were only eighteen miles YET
nfnished-between Edgefcld G. II. and
Dorne's Mine-and we would secure a
shorter and more secure route, and, in
addition, secure the commerce of the
Savannah Valley. :,
Mayor Courtenay said that he thought
the State and city should buy the Blue
Ridge out of court first, as he understood
that this would require but small out
lay in money. -,
Mr.. Murray said he was perfectly will
ing for any arrangement of that kind.
Capt. Dawson thought that the details
had better be left to the Charleston dele
CATION. They could couple the gift will
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