Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-18
MIR. Plant and His System of Rail
roads

pOrtant matter to the cities along the
South Atlantic coast, and of Florida. The
consolidation of these roads virtually
places under one management the lines Of
railroads extending from Quantico, Va,
to Tampa, Fla, via Savannah.
The benefits that flow from one manage
ment of through lines can hardly be APP
preciated by those not directly connected
with railroads. Only railroad officials
can fully understand the advantages
which such an arrangement affords in ar
ranging schedules and in securing the
rapid handling of freights and passen-
gers.
In future, travellers and shippers IN this
section of the country will have only two
lines to depend upon for quick travelling
and rapid handling of freight by the
coast line system of roads, viz: The
lines south of Quantico and the Pennsyl-
vania road from Quantico to New York.
Probably those who do not travel in sleep
ing cars will have but one change to
make between New York and Florida.
Of course, those who travel in sleeper
will not have to make any change.
consolidated roads are all in the best con-
ditiOn.
The roads have no high grades to over
come, and therefore have the opportunity
to make the highest rate of speed. The
consolidation of the railroads in question,
under one management, by the Plant syn
dictate, has not only restored the railroad
equilibrium and prevented the upper line
of railways from taking the business
from the coast line roads, but has given
to the latter the full benefits accruing
from their natural advantages.
This line is now not only the great fast
mail line to the Southeast, put the
fastest line to the Southwest, and it is
destined in year or two, possibly earlier,
to be the favorite route to Cuba and the
South American States, via the ports on
the Gulf coast of Florida.
The people of those portions of North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and
Florida which are largely dependent on
the coast line roads doubtless feel that
they owe Mr.. II. b. Plant and his asso-
ciates debt of gratitude, for having raised
the standard of these roads and made
them one of the great trunk lines of rail-
road of the country. From the day that
Mr.. Plant became the purchaser
of what is now the Savannah,
Florida and Western Railway he has de-
voted a great part of his time to its devel-
opment. New connecting roads have
been built at the southern end of it until
it has become system that extends to
the farthermost limits of settled Florida
To the north of Savannah his energies
have changed broken down and bankrupt
roads into well-equipped and paying cor
pOrations.
The roads which were the basis of the
present Savannah, Florida and Wes-
tern and Atlantic Coast Line sys-
TENS did not present strong attrac-
tions to investors. Mr.. Plant, how
ever, saw their possibilities, and having
confidence IN his own judgment he spent
his money freely, and induced others who
had money to invest to help him. The re-
suit of their labOrs thus far is a line of
we'll equipped road from a point near the
city of Washington to the centre of
Florida. This long line has a number of
branches completed, and others that are
only as yet projected but which will
be built in the near future. The
work that Mr.. Plant has done
was necessary for the development of
the Southern coast country and
Florida. There is none who Will say
that he has not done his work we'll or who
will question his ability to do satisfactorily
and creditably whatever other work he
may have in contemplation in connection
with his great railway system.
Though residing in New York, Mr..
Plant is closely identified with the people
of this section of the South. He is spend
ing his money here, and here are nearly
all his interests. For the greater part of
his life he has been connected with the
express business in the South. During
the civil war he was President of the
Southern Express Company, which was
an important institution to the Southern
people then as it is now. He is still at
the head of that corporation.
He is quiet and retiring in his
manner, but extremely amiable and
companionable where he is well
acquainted. He is a thorough business
man, and gives his personal attention to
his immense interests. He certainly has
the best wishes of the people of this Sec
ton in mis- great railroad enterprises
which will do a great deal towards de-
veloping this section Of the South.