The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-01-22
The article from the Mews and Courie

upon the railroad situation presents the
condition of things very clearly, but we
fear that 1t gives very little promise Of
any speedy amelioration for Charleston.
The whole tenor ard burden of the
article is to find out what other people
are going to do for Charleston, a1d gives
no earnest that Charleston is going to do
anything for herself. We have always
sympathized with Charleston in her rail.
road troubles, but cannot say that we have
admired her policy. Ever since the war
she has seemed paralyzed as to any effort
to contest with her impending destiny.
She has stood with folded hands, and seen
one by one her golden opportunities go
by unimprored. When the people of
Anderaon were con.endng for the COM
pletion Of the Blue Ridge Railroad, before
Columbia and Greenvile road passed
into foreign hands, her citizens took no
active interest in the measure, and her
representatives declined to vote either
money or convict labor to the enterprise.
She quietly, and without an effort, per-
mitted outside capital to come in and
purchase the Columbia and Greenville
road at figure within the reach Of her
capitalists. When q bill passed the
House authorizing tho Savannah Valley
Railroad TO continue to Aiken, and Civ.
ing one hundred and fifty convicts to
assist its completion, both Of the Char.
leston Senators voted to strike out the
grant of convicts, and thereby defeated
, the opportunity fer such an extension.
She permitted the Augusta and Knox.
Vile road to be bought by an unfriendly
outside corporation, and has always man
itested an indifference to the Savannah
Valley road, and has never given one
dollar towards its construction. She has
taken no substantial interest in the
Carolina, Cumberland Gap and Chicago
road, but has secured q charter from
Greenville to Charleston, and 10 now
looking around to see who will build these
roads for her. The eansweris patent to eve.
rybody. Nobody will DO it. Charles.
ton mus! make up her mind to do some.
thing handsome herself before che can
expect any help. 1t ia true that she has
expended great deal on railroads in
the past, but that is rpilt milk. 1t Is
gone, and has nothing to do with the
present. There is yet time to retrieve o
part o. the mistakes of the past, but
time Is gradually lessening these oppcr.
sunities, For instance, the grading of
the Savannah Valley will coon be com.
pleted, and contract for its construction
and operation for a century to come will
be perfected. The came Is true of the
Greenville and Laurens road. Neither
of these enterprises can afford to await
Oharleston's convenience.
! The people OF Anderson tried hard to
reach Charleston but could get no help,
and for self preservation had to turn for
help to other quarters. We would be
delighted to see the scheme proposed by
tho Ncps and Courier for the construc.
tion of the four lines indicated carried
out. We believe it can be done If
Charleston 81 rsady and willing to come
down promptly with handsome subscrip.
tions, but not otherwise. There Is no
t;me to be lost, and i. Is useless for
Charleston to ask what anybody else, is
going to do. Everyone Is wondering
what Charleston is going to do. If che
will speak out aud take the lead, in.
stead of waiting for something TO turn
up,she will arouse q responsive move.
ment all over the State by which she
may yet secure great and wealth. giving
system of railroads converging st her
port. If she remains quiet the avenues
yet LEFT to her,will soon be permanently
closed against her. What is Charleston
going to do, about It Z
AGRIcULTURAL LABOR'IN ANDERSON.
The Ne,rs and Courier, In giving an
accountof the industrial relations between
Landlords and tenants in South Caroline,
says Of Anderson County: I"
The condition OF the Agricultural
rlaborer in Anderson County ia not as
good now as it was this time last year.
The supply of laborers 10 not auiIicient
to meet the full requirements of the
farmers. The supply or labor has been
affected by tho recent emigration OF
colored people to the West. In some
parts Of the County their removal viii
materially affect the arrangements. .af The
farmers while In other, pafta: Of tho