The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-10-21
The Carolina, Cumberland Gap and
chicago Railroad.

The annual meeting OF the stock holdcrS OF
1hc Carolina, Cumberland Gap AMI Chicago
Ea:lroad is advertised TO lake place on the 9Th
nf November mt Aiken.
As thism meeting may prove to he OF. great
Importance to oar people, we cal! their al
1ent,on 10 the iacl. If we mistake not
We have read in sonc OF our papers n para
rraph setting forth tho idea that u re organiza-
ton OF the Company would be effected at
TINT meeting. If we arc correct in this opin'
ion. the President and n number of tho pres
vnt Directors may contemplate resigning their
places. which act would Of course ncccssita,c
the election Of new men to fill the vacancies
thus accustomed.
While the present Directors hold their
places we feel that the people are perfectly
safo from harm, not because we have
amy belief that our rights arc secured to
ia by legal forms, but because tho oiil-
GERS Of the road have given us their
promise, md their personal character Is
such that they would not be false to their
trusts, and their reputation stands SO hish
that they could not afford to do anything else
chan to act fairly, even If diSpoSed to do 9TH
crwisc. Wc are then doubly secure from
harm SO long MS they remain In office. They
may not build tho road, but they will not
s:kc our money unless they do build 1t.
But If they should resign tl:eir places, ms
President and Directors, and the stockhold-
crs elect new officers, The people then Will
nc ut tho mercy OF tho new President and d.
rcctors, who will take their offices uncondi-
rionnlly and by any OF the
s.rolniscs which have heretofore been made
10 us. OW only absolute safety then hes in me
kccping Of the o.d President and Directors in
cDlce.
Tho most enthusiastic advocate Of taxation
for the railroad. we think, would admit that
1hcro IS enough doubt rs TO the validity OF
the verbal promises. which were made to us
outside of The forms of law, toauihoriZe n suit
ut law 10 enforce tho collection Of tho taxes,
The new Direction may determine TO col
lcct the taxes. and COON witt the work. They
may do this from the pureSt and best OF mo-
tivcs, or they may do it as n means OF srecn-
lu,ion and for the real purpose OF building
the rond. Eut no matter what the motive,
the calamity VIII he all the same to us, IT we
have TO pay our money without getting the
road.
II stockholders are on the alert. they may
make an effort to attend the meeting or may
be careful in giving instructions TO those
whom they may delegate to act for them.
We do not know IL former proxies will hold
good ut the next meeting, but We are inclined
to the opinion that they are so worded as to
hold good until revoked.
In the hands of the stockholders rest the
responsibility of choosing proper officers, ana
the responsibility involves The welfare Of our
people.
The election OF new officers Is the act OF the
stockholders, and they primarily arc respon-
siblc.
In connection with this, we would disavow
any intention TO throw any obstacle In the
WAY OF the progress Of this road. We merely
desire 10 call attention to the situation.
Recognizing the cordial and hearty support
which the friends Of this road have given to
the Elbcrton, F.nri.ht and Abbcvllle road, we
hope TO do nothing in the future which may
be considered unkind or as detrimental to tho
welfare and success OF the Carolina, Cumber-
land Gap and Chicago Railroad. in which so
many Of our friends feel SO deep an Interest.
We learn that Mr.. Twiggs having fin
tshed the grading of the Savannah Val
ley Railroad carried the convictS back to
the pcnitentlary last week. 1t Is said that
he, however, before doing so, proposed to the
prcsident OF the Carolina, Cumberland Gap &
Chicago Railroad to work on the
road, on the rnlth Of the county subscriptions,
but that General Hasood, faithful to his
trusts, refused TO eXpend our money Without
reasonable prospects Of having the road fin
ished. General Hagood's action in this mat
ter Is In keeping with his character as a man
and all officer. Everybody has the utmost
confidence In his integrity, but rs 1t Is said
that he contcmplates resigning his office, 1t
is earnestly hoped that before he does resign,
that he will bind his successors In office to car
ry out his pledges, by filing the promised pa
per binding Thorn to q faithful carrying out
Of his pledges.
The meeting in Aiken Is Of vast importance
to this town, and its interests should be fully
represented by n delegation who will ~investi-
CUTE thoroughly before electing new officers.
Let our people look to their interests. For
some reason unknown to us, our people are
not OIL cially notified OF this reorganization,
although they are the largest stockholders.