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 Ncws 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 80 as to give to every
part of the State quick and cheap trans.
portation is not so difficult matter as is
commonly thought. The principal
REQUISITES are these:
/. 1t is necessary to meet, at once, the
lines which, entering the State from the
Northeast, have reached Bennettsviile
and are fast approaching Cheraw. Ben.
pettsville is within easy reach of the
Cheraw and Darlington Railroad, and
Cheraw is on that road. The interests of
the Cheraw and Darlington and Cheraw
and Salisbury Roads, and of the North
eastern Railroad, with which they con-
meet at Florence, are identical. The
trade of the wealthy County of Marlboro
of which Bennettsville is the County
seat has hitherto been enjoyed by the
Northeastern Railroad, and its connec-
tions, and by Charleston. 1t has been
proposed to build trainway from Gard
ner's Bluff to Bennettsville, so as to
quicken and cheaper communication to
Charleston. Astill better plan is to build
q railroad from the line of the Cheraw
and Darlington Railroad TO BenDettsVille
ITSELF
2. The South Carolina Railway by the
Camden branch gives Charleston direct
communication with Camden. The
extension of the Camden branch to the
northward 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
by this movement will flank the Charlotte
Road, and strike sqnarely 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?
8. The South Carolina Railway strikes
Columbia and Augusta. It is the only
railway in the State which has no out
side alliance or connections. 1t ends in
the air at Camden. 1t has an active
competitor in the Northeastern Railroad
at Columbia. 1t has the Port Royal
Railroad, the Central Railroad, and the
Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Rail-
road to meet, and cope with at Augusta.
We have shown already that the South
Carolina Railway is in imminent danger
of an isolation that will injure it severe
ly. But there is way out.
A road is projected-the Midland
Railroad-from Charleston to Greenville.
There is no desire to build an 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 the route proposed will save 35 miles
in distance between Columbia and Green.
Vile. It will be practicable to run trains
through from Greenville to Charleston by
the 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, q business which is
now fast leaving it, and which in a 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. a railroad from Aiken, S. c.,
through Edgefeld and along the Savau,
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 raidiDg
roads from Augusta, which run to Green
wood and are to be continued to Spartan
burg.
5. The scheme which has been rough.
ly explained contemplates. 1st, 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 a uortherly direction to Charlotte, or
some other convenient point. Sd, The
construction of the Midland Railroad
from Columbia to Greenville. 4lh, The
construction of line from Aiken, S. g.,
by way of Edgefeld to connect with the
Savannah Valley Railroad to Anderson.
The Midland Road will be extended to
Asheville, and thence find its way to the
Tennessee system of railroads and to
Cincinnati and Chicago. How shall all
this be accomplished?
What is proposed for the Northeastern
Railroad is comparatively small matter.
The South Carolina Railway is in far
greater danger, and for this reason it
should be the first to move. During the
time that it has been in the possession OF
it's preseat owners, the South Carolina
Railway has beeu put in first-rate condi-
tion. Its equipment is admirable in every
respect, and it is in excellent condition
to deal with far more business than it now
obtains. The South Carolina Railway
can insure its freedom, and the freedom
and prosperity of Charleston, by giving
active aid to the midland Railroad; and
by aiding in the construction of the road
from Aiken. Charleston is entitled to
know whether the South Carolina Rail-
way Company will undertake this, or
give any assistance to those who are
disposed to undertake it. Will the South
Carolina Railway for its own sake-with-
a.. -Aa.~a 70 tha ;ntarasts nf Cha rlnstnn