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

Mr.. EDITOR: 1t 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 citizens of
the entire State, and not among individu-
als or one or more localities. Whether
those employed now within the walls are
actually and really earning more than the
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 and
cotton stocking business, and that not at
such loy auages as will impair the legiti.
mate manufacture of such articles, or
enrich those who select convict labor for
such purpose. The convicts under sem
ttence for the higher crimes, and who can
not by law be hired outside the walls,
should aid in completing the Penitentiary
according to present plans, las surely
there can be no serious intention or wish
to enlarge or extend it, or constructively,
perhaps, they might be employed on the
Columbia Canal, if that work is still to
be continued by the 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, let us examine how this
may be accomplished. If the persistent
effort of those who have preceded us for
the last fifty years is any indication, then
q more direct and independent commu-
nication with the Western States by rail
is one of the great wants and necessities
of our people. Nature has furnished. us
with similar and, in some respect. greater
facilities than our immediate and con.
tiguous neighbors-Georgia and North
Carolina-in practicable passes through
the Blue Ridge Mountains. The science,
skill and perseverance of Engineers has
so progressed that now there are reported
at least tour depressions in the Blue
Ridge Mountains, leading out from this
State. through which railroads may be
constructed at comparatively low figures.
The first in point of time and age is the
Blue Ridge Railroad butthat enterprise,
no matter how favored or necessary, is
now in such condition that perhaps the
people of the State should await the
effects of the forces now at work, which
will shortly result in great encroachments
on the business of the Greenville q Co.
lumbia Railroad, and may compel that
Company to extend the Blue Ridge Rail-
road Westward from Walhalla. Whenever
that Company shows an earnest disposi-
ton to do 30, then the State should assist
in the way suggested. The next in i'm.
portance is the Carolina, Cumberland
GAP and Cincinnati Railroad, projected
to extend from Aiken, S. c., to Pickens
G. H., thence up the waters of Toxaway
or Estatoe Rivers, which debouch upon
the waters of Big Pigeon, or FRENCH
Broad Rivers in North Carolina, or di.
yerging from this line at some point to
the city Of Greenyille, and thence pass.
ing the mountains by way of Gap Greek,
thus reach the French Broad River.
This G. G. G. Railroad Company is in
its infancy, but is under the control of
ex Gov. Hagood and numerous and
able Board Of Directors, and would seem
to have encouraging prospects of success.
This Company has continuous charters
from Aiken, S. c., to London in Ken
lucky, there connecting with system
of railroads without limit Westward,
aud in this offers great inducement
over other similar Enterprises. A railroad
from this State Westward, which would,
as soon as the mountains are passed, only
make our people dependant upon other
Roads leading elsewhere, and interested
in monopolizing and diverting the bust;
ness to other points, is not the direct and
independent communication with the
Western States so long desired and hoped
for by the people of South Carolina.
The third practicable pass is from
GreenyilIe, up Gap Creek as before men
toned and if controlled from Columbia
via NewberrY and Laurens would be OF
very great importance. =.
The fourth is from Spartanburg to