The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-08-06
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CONVICT LABOR.
II

MIR. ED1ToR: It will be readily con.
ceded that the results Of the convict labor
of the State, whether in money or Incl.
dental and prospective advantage, should
be distributable among the citizeuB of
the entire State, and not among individu-
ais or one or more localities. Whether
those employed now within the walls are
actually and really earning moro than tho
expenses, is for the Superintendent and
Board Of Directors to figure out. The
boys and girls and invalided adults should
be kept at the high. heeled shoe aud
cotton stocking business, aud that not at
such loo ,cagcs as will impair the legiti.
mato manufacture of such articles, or
enrich those who select convict labor for
such purpose. The convicts under sen.
tence for the higher crimes, aud who can.
not by Law be hired outside the walls,
should aid in completing the Peniteutiary
according to present plans, (as surely
there can be no serious Intention or Wish
to enlarge or extend 1t, or constructiyoly,
perhaps, they might be employed on the
Columbia Canal, il that work is still to
be continued by tho State.
But following up the proposition that
this labor, after sustaining the institution,
should be so directed that the results
and advantages be distributed among the
whole people, ut US examine how this
may be accomplished. If the persistent
effort of those who have preceded us for
tho last fifty years Is my indication, then
q more direct and Independent commu-
nication with the Western States by rail
Is one Of the great wants aud necessities
of our people. Nature has furnished us
with similar and, In some respect, greater
facilities than our immediate and con.
tiguons neighbors-Georgi aud North
Carolina-in practicable passes through
tho Blue Ridge Mountains. The science,
skill and perseverance OF. Engineers has
so progressed that now there are reported
at least four. depressions In the Blue
Ridge Mountains, leading out from. this
State, through which railroads may be
constructed .at comparatively low figures.
The frat in point of time aud ago IL the
Blue Ridge Railroad; but that enterprise.
no matter how favored or necessary, is
now In such condition that perhaps the
people of tho State should await the
effects Of the forces now at work, which
will shortly reanlt in great encroachments
on the business of the Greeuville & Co.
iumbia Railroad, and may compel that
Company to extend the Blue Ridge Rail.
road Westward from Walhaila. Whenever
that Company shows an earnest disposi.
ton 20 do 90, then the State should assist
In tha way suggested. The next in Inn.
portance Is the Carolina, Cumberland
Gap aud Cincinnati Railroad, projected
70 extend from Aiken, 8. O., TO Pfckens
q. H, thence up tho waters of Toxaway.
or Estatoo Rivers, which dehoucli upon
sho waters Of Big Pigeon, or French
hsaad Rivers Ia North Carolina, or d..
ssfgtng from this limo ak aonie point to
the city 6f (sfeenvilleS and thence Paw.
ing Che mountains BY way or Gap Creek,
thus reach tks French Bfoad River. :a B.
4 This o. g: @, Railroad Chm pany Is 10;
isll Infancy, but Sc nnder the control ,of
sx Gov. Hageod and q numerous aud
able BDasd 1f Directors. and would Heein
to have encon onraging prospe pects Of success.
sE This Company has cont tinuops charters.
from a k5n3 81. q, 10 London IN Ksna
tpeky, thera connectlng With b syster1
,of Taiir0ads Without limit Westward.
and In. this offers great inducfBsant
over other bfmilAr Sntsfp ptiaes. ~ aiasoad
from sthis State vhst testWard which ss0nldj
asIsobn hi The kaonntAln Alns are passed only
faalI lIt our people Dope liant upc ID Other
R6Es!s ieadsfg elsesf Ind itit6resleda
iAsSl Atp0atEing aud diver thes buai.1
tfes 6nshee ppf ntD, i; not tho direcs hnd
in4Si iendent itnunic lon With tho
Western States 90 ioIg deal iSsd and hoped
fe5 81 she lols y oEth gssa!ilssa, y.