The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-04-21
The New Railroad Combination.

The New Railroad Combination.
We learn that Col. Wadley presented
to the board the full particulars of the
negotiations which resulted in the rent of
the Georgia Railroad-action which was
rendered necessary by the efforts of the
Clyde combination to secure the legiti-
mate business of the South Atlantic
ports, specially Savannah and Charles
ton. It was shown that the Clyde Syn
dicate have control of over fourteen hum
dred miles of railway in the South, to
wit: Richmond and Danville, 141 miles
Piedmont Railroad, a link built by the
Confederate Government during the war
between Danville and Greensboro 49
miles; Northwestern North Carolina, Is
railes; Western North Carolina, 1876
miles; North Carolina Railroad, 2S9
miles Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta,
100 miles; Greenyille and Columbia,
164 miles; Spartanburg, Union and Col
umbia, So miles; Atlanta and Charlotte
Airline, 269 miles; Laurens Railroad,
81 miles; Blue Ridge Railroad, 43 miles;
Elberton Airline, so miles. Clyde, in
conjunction with Gen. Logan, of Rich
mond, and other parties, forming strong
syndicate, have left nothing undone to Sc
cure the business of this section, with the
object of building up Norfolk, to which
port they have fine steamship line from
New York, and in which they are largely
interested. They are possessed of ample
means, and their purpose was to secure
the Georgia Railroad at any price. Dur
ing the negotiations, which closed with
the rent of the Georgia to W. NJ. Wadley
and associates, there was representative
of the Clyde Syndicate in Augusta with
instructions, it is understood, to 60 be-
yond any offer that might be made by
other parties. The directors of the Geor-
gia considered the proposition made by
Messrs. VIM. NJ. Wadley, Moses Taylor,
John H. Fisher and Samuel Sloan, the
best for tho interests of the road and the
State, and accepted it, as is known, de.
clining to entertain any project having
for its object the building up of North
Atlantic port to the detriment of South
| Atlantic ports. This measure was rem
| dered absolutely necessary to defeat the
schemes of the Clyde combination, and is
| claimed to be in the interests of Savan-
| nah and Charleston. All the details, we
understand, were fully explained by Col.
Wadley, and the board unanimously
approved of the course pursued. The
rent of the Georgia is not to the South
| Carolina Road or specifically to the own
ers thereof, but virtually to Col. VIM. n.
Wadley, who is backed by parties having
large interests in the South Carolina.
The Purchasing Committee of that road
are in full accord with the lessees and are
working to so arrange matters as to place
the South Carolina under a similar con-
tract with Messrs. Wadley and associates.
This action will probably be taken in a
short time, as it is thought that the OBJ
stacles which now prevent the road from
passing into the hands of the firm men.
toned, and q new organization being
| effected, will be speedily removed
| After this thorough exposition of the
! motives which urge this'unification of the
roads, we understand that the sense Of
the directors on the subject of the Gen.
trail entering into such contract was
taken and was found to be favorable to
combination of the three roads under one
management in traffic agreement,
without discrimination in favor Of
Charleston or Savannah. Further dis.
cussion followed in regard to various
matters, the nature If which we we're
unable to ascertain. 1t was decided,
however, that the directory would enter
tain such proposed contract as that refer
red to, and the matter was left with Col.
Wadley to work up the details, and in
tangible form present his proposition alta
meeting to be called as soon as he per-
fects his plans.
1t would seem from this that, whist
the Central Railroad may not be
leased, that the same parties who rented
the Georgia Railroad may contract to
operate and manage the Central for an
unlimited time, upon paying certain
sum per annum for the right and comply
ing with certain conditions and provis-
ions. It may be assumed in the event
this is done that the contractors or
lessees will pay o good round sum annu-
ally considerably in excess of the rental
of the Georgia. This may or may not be
done, but it would seem from the above,
which is based on what Is reliable infor.
nation, to be very probable, notwith-
standing the assertion that talk of lease
of the Central is absurd. The future will
prove. It was contended that the Cen.
trail could not lease the Georgia, and yet
we find that Col. Wadley has fanked all
obstacles and secured the Georgia. All
things point to the three roads being
practically made one corporation, with
Col. Wadley as manager. Mr.. Quintard,
controlling the Charleston and New York
steamship lines, is in full accord with the
proposed movement, and as soon as
everything is accomplished, the facilities
of that line will be increased.
The controlling idea in the whole
movement seems to be that Charleston
and Savannah, under existing circum.
stances, cannot afford to be rivals and
must work harmoniously together. This
in brief, we think, comprises the main
points Of the present status of railroad
affairs. Although our deductions upon
the results Of Yesterdays meeting may
not be entirely accurate, yet they are log.
ical.-Sauannah Meaos.
The Laurens Lynching.