Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-08

That was curious railroad rnmor that
prevailed On the streets yesterday. It was
| currently reported that the management OF
the Savannah. T orida aud Western Rail =
way had bought out the entire Reed Syndi@
| cate-'scooped" the whole system at one
purchase. | immediately invaded the hand
some office OF the Waycross Short Line to
see Col. Gao. w. Haines about 1t.
SIS it true, Colonel ?" we asked.
"Well, none OF the Savannah, Florida
and Western people have heard anything
about 1t If 1t is, aud therefore rather sup
pose t. is not" was the laconic reply. Aud
this was all the sitting the rumor could
have.
The magnitude and importance OF the
Savannah, Florida and Western Railway ia
lot generally understood. It's main length
stretches from Savannah to Bainbridge,
Georgia, distance of 237 miles. It has 8
branch road of sky miles from Townsville
to Albany; another of forty-eight miles
from Dupont to Live Oak. 1t controls, and
will control for a generation, the Waycross
Short Line OF sevenlV-four miles. II is
building from cambridge to Chattahoochee
branch of thirtY-four miles, which will be
EXTENDED sixty miles to Rio Carabelle, or
East Pass, giving 1t hsrbor OF nineteen
feet on the Gulf coast. The friends of the
road ere building a line from Live Oak
to R1wland's Bluff, twenty-three miles
opening up the whole Suwannee river
region; and the line from Live Oak
to Gainesville, sixty miles, is now being
surveyed. SO that the Savannah, Florida
and Western has under present and imme-
diately prospective control six hundred
miles of railway bearing upon the interesta
end development of Florida. The road,
toe, is growing and prospering with the
growth of the country, and its growth "a
sure evidence OF the States growth, because
TIE two are inseparably connected. The
Savannah, Florida and Western IS the rail-
road key to the State. It is the railroad
inlet land the outlet OF Florida--the
neck of her railroad bottle. This IA
an advantage that she will hold till
some other line is built from
this city northward TO make another con-
nection. This is now an improbable event.
No corporation has been a better friend to
Jacksonville and TO Florida. In every
movement looking to the Advancement OF
either, and In every emergency that has
fronted US, the Savannah, Florida and
Western has responded gallantlY and done
its full share for cur glory and prosperity.
l have only to recall its liberal and generoua
conduct during the days of The cotton expo
sItion to emphasize this statement. This
important system of roads is owned by a
body OF capitalists headed by Fl. B. Plant,
of New York.
Speskiug OF Il. B. Plant, Florida has
never had more solid benefactor. He has
to-day q larger individual interest In Flori-
da than any one man, probably more than
any two men in its limits. His faith in the
future OF the State is boundless, and his in
vestments made quietly and wisely will bear
frUiF to him and to Us. We have It on un-
doubted authority that Mr.. Plant is even
now contemplating the erection of $780,
600 opera house in the city. He has about
decided on $50. 900 passenger depot for his
lines here. He owns the largest interest in
the street railway and other city property.
We have 1t reliably that his good works for
Jacksonville and Florida have Just begun.
Our people can we'll afford to meet Mr.,
P ant with open arms. He is friend worth
to US with hooks of steel. THE
potent capitalist is one of the most genial
and unostentatious of men.
l. is genuine pleasure to drop into the
elegant office of the Waycross Short Line
aud meet the courteous officials who pre-
side there. Colonel George Raines has been
a railroad man for the best years of his life,
aud is thorough master of the complex
details OF railroad work. He is, moreover.
one or the most accommodating and courte-
Gus officials In the South, and has done much
to popularizs his corporation in this State
and city. Mr.. J. E. DraytoD, the ticket
agent, Is as much part of the Office as the
tickets themselves In fact, he is very much
like the tickets, In that the travelling public
could not well get along without him.
Did you know that the first through ticket
to Jacksonville from New York was put on
sale by Mr.. G. d. Owens, General Passen-
ger Agent OF the Savannah, Florida and
Western? The idea was much laughed at
IN railway circles at first and yet what q
rich field of tourist travel it has opened up.
she very richest in America. @ Tens ie-
serves a medal.