The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-02-06
Tho Blue Ridge Railroad.


we see the spectre of the Blue Ridge enterprise
rising up and claiming immediate attention. A
few days ago delegation from Anderson visited
Charleston to feel the pulse Of the people upon
the question Of resusctating the dormant body
OF that bankrupt corporation. One great diff
Guilty appeared in the way How to get the title
| of the road back into the hands of the State and
the City of Charleston. The bondholders now
own the road but we do not see them taking
any part in the present move to start the enter
prise afresh. They make proposition as to
the terms upon which they will change the title,
but are apparently standing behind the curtain
watching their chance to make the best bargain
they can for themselves. We have no objection
to the Charleston people doing all they can to
build up their hospitable old city, but since the
people If this section have been so liberal in
building as good, as safe and shorter route to
the West, without asking aid from the State, or
| receiving any material assistance from any 9TH
| err quarter, we can see no necessity for talking
about building another road in the same direc-
ton, under the expectation of getting aid from
the State. True, the Anderson delegation did
| not say that State aid would be asked but when
we read the following extracts from the pro-
cecdngs Of the meeting at Charleston it is very
| evident that the members of the Legislature
from Charleston intend to make some kind Of
proposition to that body to grant such aid:
Gen. Humphries Of the Anderson delegation
safu 1T was asked further That olate siIvuli
| pay to any company completing the road the sum
of $500 600 i'll five annual instalments, the first
nstalment TO be paid upon the completion ofthe
| road. This would cffcctually shut the door
opninSt SppculntiOn fl,n N,
remained to be considered was whether the COM
pction of the road was worth that amount of
| money to the State lie believed that if this
| Legislation was had there no shadow of
| doubt about the completion OF this enterprise,
which has been the dream of n century. Ii was
| also proposed to ask legislation authorizing COR
| porate subscriptions to the work on the part of
| the municipalities interested. 1t was believed
| that Anderson would readily vote subscription
of $500, 900, Oconee would probably give $780,
| 900 an / Abbcville 100000. This amount, to-
gether with the subsidy to be granted by the
State, would in his opinion secure the early COM
plction of the road
Col. Simonton, Charleston member Of the
legisat ire, asked whether the appropriation of
$500 by the State would not be i'm conflict
with the constitutional amendment prohibiting
| AN increase of the debt of the State.
Mr.. Murray, member of the Legislature from
Anderson, replied that it was proposed to avoid
such conflict by authorizing n tax levy and
paying the money to the road. This would not
be an increase of the bonded debt as contem-
plated by the constitutional provision.
Capt. +. w. Dawson, of the Ncus aud Courier
said There are two lines Of railways running
| to the Wcst-the Blue Ridge and the Ashevillc
route. His leaning had always been towards
the old Blue Ridge route. 1t was n good route
short route, and, above all, it could be held alb
| solutcly free and independent of any rival route
| He was still anxious TO help the Ashcvilc route
| but if he mpellnI tn b,,, A.,
| 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. lie dill not think
that the representatives Of Charleston County
however, should be instructed as to the particn-
lar mode of the help and relief which shall be
given to the road. If we can get n complete
route to the West the Charleston delegation
would not be found opposing it. Their constit-
uents had the fullest confidence in them, and
| would heartily approve their action. For him
self he was in favor not only of Il remission of
back taxes but or 'n.. ...s-,v,ior from tox,,;on
J and of State mid to any and every railway which
would give MS direct line to the West AS we'll
rs lie understood the matter, lrc said Charleston
was thoroughly anxious to get n way to the West
| which should be controlled by Charleston ,nJ
which ny helping Charleston must hclp the
entire State, Tor he would not be I'm, ,,crstood os
saying word which would separate the for
tunes Of Charleston from the fortunes of the
State at large.
Mayor Courtcnay said that he thought tbc
State and city should buy the Blue Ridge out of
court first, as he understood that this would re-
4ulrc but n small outlay i'm money
Mr.. Murray said he was perfectly williur f,r
any arrangement of that kind.
Mr.. Murray further said: There was no
time to lose. The State of Georgia had two
charters out to go through the gap, and if eth
er one got through ahead of us, either from
Athens or Augusta, we should lose the route. |
ana all we could do would be to tap them at |
layton, Ga., rs there was room for only one |
route through the gap.
In reply to request from the Anderson dele
CATION some of the Charleston delegation ex |
pressed their views as follows:
Vol. Simonton said that the title to the road |
would of course have to be settled and woulI bc |
settled hereafter. lie had always been in favor
OF the Blue Ridge route, and if he went TO the
Legislature during the extra session and lcoislo-
tion looking to the completion was proposed, he
FOR ono wa. willing to 20 any length for State
Hid or anything ose, provided TINT tho State was
male SECURE Gnd its interests properly proce-
ted.
Gen. Eutlcdgc heartily endorsed the views ex-
pressed by Col. Simonton.
MAJ. Buist said that the matter had been
brought up ut the last session He would he
willing to vote any aid that the State could bear
out nc was decidedly opposed to Charleston sub.
scrioinS one dollar. He had no objection how |
ever, TO giving municipalities the right to vote
upon subscriptions. provided the question vas
openly and fairly discussed and decided
MIR. Murray said they did not ask and did NOT
expect any corporate subscription from Charles
ton. They did not think that they ought to ask
it. " 80"
'oi. Fickcn said that the Blue Ridge Road had
oeen the dream of his life, and if n scheme was
proposed winch would ensure the completion of
The r9ad and at the same time preserve thc in.
hn nttV St,to