The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-01-22
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.

States will be prosperous enough"
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.
The Charleston News and Courier Of
Monday contains very practical editorial
upon the railroad situation, from which
we make the following synopsis:
A reorganization Of the railroad system
Of South Carolina so as to give to every
part of the State quick and cheap trans.
portation is not 80 difficult n matter as is
commonly thought The principal
requisites are these:
!. 1t il necessary to meet, at once, the
lines which, entering the State from the
Northeast, have reached Bennettsville
and are fast approaching Cheraw. Ben.
DettsviIle is within easy reach of the
Cheraw and Darlington Kailroad, and
Cheraw il on that road. The interests of
the Chcraw and Darlington and Cheraw
and Salisbury Roads, aud of the North
eastern Railroad, with which they con-
meet at Florence, are identical. The
trade Of the wealthy County of Marlboro
of which Bennettsvile is the County
seat. has hitherto been enjoyed by the
NortL eastern Railroad, and it's connec-
proposed to build trainway from Gard.
quicken and cheaper communication TO
railroad from the line of the Cheraw
itself
.. The South Carolina Railway by the
Camden branch gives Charleston direct
rit Nha
extension of the Camden branch to the
northwarh will free the South Carolina
Railway and Charleston, in great measure,
from any adverse action on the part OF
the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta
Railroad. The South Carolina Railway
bv this movement will flank the Charlotte
Road, and strike squarey into its oppo.
nent's territory. The business of the
| new district will be opened to the South
Carolina Railway, and the Charlotte
Road will no longer be free from active
| competition.
The extension of the Camden branch
has been talked about for years. Is there
any prospect of early action, or of late
action?
3. The South Carolina Railway strikes
Columbia and Augusta. 1t is the only
railway in the State which has no out
side alliance III connections. 1t ends in
| the mir at Camden. 1t has nn active
competitor in the Northeastern Railroad
at Columbia. II has the Port Royal
| Railroad, the Central Railroad, and the
Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Rail.
| road To meet, and cope with ut Augusta.
| We have shown already that the South
| Carolina Railway is in imminent danger
of an isolation that will iujure it severe.
ly. But there is n way out.
rond is projected-the Midland
| Railroad-from Charleston to Greenvile
There il no desire to build All additional
| road from Charleston To Columbia. This
will not be done, if satisfactory working
arrangements can be made with the roads
now in operation. The Midland Road
on tho route proposed will save 35 miles
in distance between Columbia and Green.
| Vile. II will be practicable to run trains
through from Greenville 10 Charleston by
| inc Midland route in seven or eight
hours. The plan is to make the Midland
Railroad absolutely independent of out
! side corporations, and to keep it indepen-
| dent. BY means of this road, the South
Carolina Railway can regain and retain
the whole Of the business Of Northwest.
ern South Carolina, business which is
| now fast leaving it, and which in q large
measure has left already.
| 4. One more line of railroad is lequi.
site to break up completely the hostile
combinations. The Charleston and
Cumberland Gap Railroad should be
built Immediately or. whatever it be
called. railroad from Aiken, S. c.,
through Edgefield and along the Savan
nah Valley. 1t will be easy enough, we
imagine, to connect with the Savannah
| Valley Railroad and work with it. This
line will cut off completely the raiding
roatls from Augusta, which run to Green.
wood and are to be continued to Spartan.
burg.
5. The scheme which has been rough.
~ explained contemplates. lst, The
building of railroad to connect Ben
nettsville with the Cheraw and Darlington
Railroad. I'd, The extension OF the Camden
branch of the South Carolina Railway
in northerly direction to Charlotte, OF
some other convenient point. Sd, The
construction of the Midland Railroad
from Columbia to Greenville. 4lh, The
construction Of line from Aiken, 8. G..
by way OF Edgefield to connect with the
Savannah Valley Railroad to Anderson
The Midland Road will be extended te
| nSuoFtic, auu lucuCe uUu us way 10 the
Tennessee system OF railroads and to
Cincinnati and Chicago. How shall ali
this be accomplished7
What is proposed for the Northeastern
Railroad is comparatively small matter
The South Carolina Railway is In faI
greater danger, and for this reason il
should be the first to move. During The
time that 1t has been In the possession O
Its preseat owners, the South Carolins
Railway has been put in first.rate condi
ton. It's equipment is admirable in every
respect, and It is in excellent condition
to deal with FIR more business than it nov
obtains. The South Carolina Railwa,
can insure It's freedom, and the freedom
and prosperity of Charleston. by giv;ni
active aid to the midland Railroad; anc
by aiding in the construction of the roat
from Aiken. Charleston is entitled Il
know whether the South Carolina Rail
way Company will undertake this, OF
give any assistance to those who ar,
disposed to undertake 1t. viii the Soutf
Carolina Railway for its own sake--with
out regard to the interests Of Charleston
---strike the blow for itselfs. Or doea i
expect Others to come to the rescue ant