The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-11-10
The c., q. & G. X. Il.
R.. S.. G..

~sN totIo "Ap uIIu
Chicago Railway Company, held in
Aiken, Wednesday, November 4, Gen.
johnson Hakood, president of the COM
pany made u full report Of it's condi-
ton. The report is quite a lengthy
one, most Of the facts however contain.
ed in it are known to our readers. they
having been brought out in the recent
discussions ut this place.
The presi lent gives first the origin Of
the road, then the consolidation, and the
contract of the construction company.
He describes the efforts Of Mr.. Schotield
to place the bonds, and cxoneratcs him
from the imputations which have been
cast upon him. He reviews the acts Of
the delegates who went to Charleston,
last winter, and gives the results OF the
elections along the line. The letter of
Mr. Brawley is contained in the report,
and the unfavorable vote Of Aiken
is commented upon. The report closes
with the following, which really CON
tains all Of interert to us:
PRESIDENT H%AGooD's CONCLUSIONS.
have thus endeavorcd succinctly to mar
ate the history of our enterprise since it's
origin three years ago, and its seems to me
that in reviewing it these conclusions force
themselves upon us
LIST. That the Construction Company, has
not developed the strength implied in the
obligations it assumed aud of itself is. power
less to advance the building of the road.
I'd. Notwithstanding the energy, ability
and fidelity with which he has labored, the
financial agent, embarrassed by a long con-
tinucd depression in the market for railway
securities, and by the failure of the Construc-
ton Company from its own resources to COM
plctc, as was contemplated, a substantial por-
ton of the road from Aiken northward, has
but indefinite prospects Of success in his
efforts to place our bonds upon the existing
basis of our affairs.
Sd. The efforts of the present railway direc-
ton to supplement the failure Of the Con-
struction Company and to strengthen the
hands Of the financial agent by building and
e%quipping the South Carolina division of the
railway at least as far as Abbeville, have not
met with an adequate response from the
parties most interested, to wit, the people
along the line and at the practical terminus
of til. road in Charleston.
For the scheme Of construction under
bic to the extent shat l accepted office under
it after 1t had been adopted by the stock
holders, and have continued for three years
to endeavor to carry it out. Having lost
faith in its success cannot, in justice to my
self or to those whose interest are placed in
my hands, continue the effort. 1t has had
my best exertiOrs, working within the limits
prescribed, and l now, with full appreciation
of the honur conferred in putting the charge
of your interests in my hands, surrender the
trust.
TWO OF A IN SOUTH cARo-
Since the first settlement of the Atlantic
seaboard there have been two currents Of
trade in South Carolina, one setting from
the Interior to Charleston and one from the
interior to northward ports. More than a
hundred years ago Charleston had her trad
ing outpost in the Appalachin Mountains
and in the Valley of the Mississippi, with
trains of pack horses for her: means of com-
munication; at the same time beeves were
driven on foot from the upper country of
South Carolina to: the Philadelphia market.
Tn sled, the wagon and the railways have
successfully felt and followed their currents.
At one tim. the drift has been strongest to-
ward Charleston; lately the norlhward cur
rent prevails. Since the loss of the control
of the Greenyille Railroad and its tributa-
ries, every road traversing upper South Caro-
lima, and, with the exception of ours,
every road there being built is in I'D,
city. The Carolina, Cumberland Gap and
Chicago Railway is an effort to restore her
ancient supremacy in the trade Of the upper
country of the State and to open up a direct
and exclusive connection with the trade Gen.
the localities in South Carolina which have
exhibited the most interest in this enterprise
all lie in this upper country. Aiken, which
alone from the beginning refused her aid,
protfered by Charleston is to deal CONNER
cially in our securities when presented In
acceptable shape.
UPPER CAROLINA LOOKING PoR OTHER OUT
LETS.
These upper counties have put their money
into the construction already accomplished,
and have voted to put more. WHITTIER, as a
L ,-..-,, -. 4.n kI~,,
to have, and to have soon, railroad connec-
ton for themselves. Already, in CT ntempla-
ton of our failure, Pickens is talking of CON
%nection with the Georgia Central system at
Anderson; Abbeville OF an Atlanta connec-
the Savannah; and Edgefeld is discussing a
narrow guage to Augusta. This history and
these facts are noted not in a spirit of criti-
cism, but as considerations bearing upon the
prospect Of our affairs. Whether our enter
prise succeeds or fails will be speedily deter
mined. We cannot stand still without being
overwhelmed in the rush and rivalry of the
new era of railroad building which is upon
us; and it is to my mind beyond question
that success can only be secured by decisive
measures taken now. What those measures
are to be it. il for you to decide. Whether,
adhering to, and perhaps readjusting, your
present plans you will continue under hap
pier auspices to attempt their execution, OF
whether you take some new departure
BILE and more promising Of results, II
IL for you to say and not under the
circumstances for me to suggest. have
not lost my faith that the local interest
of the portions of South Carolina trsversed
are best subversed by the Charleston oonncc-
ton which we seek. Nor can ] lose sight Of
the direct connection with the fertile valley
of the French Broad, the wonderful mineral
region of East Tennessee, the coal fields OF
Kentucky, and the rich praries Of tho West,
In the exchange for their products those OF
our fields and forests, our rising manufac-