The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-02-18
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.
A Proposition Showing how the sa.
vannah Valley may be Made Trib.
utary to the! Commercial Growth OF
nrleatoua# &

- AVVopkSIOh UO" inc "a.
vannah Valley may be Made Trib-
utary to the Commercial Growth OF
Charleston.
To the Editor. of the Ness and Courier
The %interes. shown by yourself and by the
business community of Charleston in a rail
way line to nppcr South Carolina, induces me
to- invite attention to the value of the Savan-
nah Valley Railroad as u link in such a line
The grading upon the Savannah Valley
Road is well advanced, and its completion in
a few months is assured. Already the direc-
tors are considering the ways and means for
ironing, equipping and operating the road.
These it is their intention to secure without
any unnecessary, delay, and they will find NO
dihiculty in press1uR the work to n successful
and speedy consumation.
The question: which presses urgently is.
whether Charlsaton il to enjoy the business
of this fertile and progressive region extend
ing from Aiken through Edgefeid and west
crn Abbeville TO the growing city Of Ander-
son Most OF this large area of South Caro-
lima has been for generations tributary to
Augusta, and unless something is done, and
that quickly, it will be secured to her forever,
together with even those parts of Abbeville
aud Anderson Counties that have always
maintained business relations with Charles
ton. 1t must be borne in mind that this ter
ritury, once lost to Charleston by Az Aupusta
and Savannah connection, is lost absolutely
and h~redcemably The Savannah Valley
Railrnnd extepded to Edgciicld, or to con
ncgtton with the Carolina, Cumberland Gan
anu ohieagolRuilway at amy suitable point in
Edgcfield County, secures Charleston MI mir
line railroad to Anderson ut once and for all
time. Besides, Elbcrtnn, Ca, is looking, and
already moving, toward Il connection with the
SayannaL Valley Railroad only fourteen
miles distant. Thus in tn. near future
Charleston will control two competing s,r.tc.
gic points, one In Piedmont, South Carolina
the other in Piedmont, Georgia. If Charles.
ton cannot or will not secure these competinn
points, most certainly Augusta and Savannah
will take ~thom-ayc, and hold them.
Again, from Anderson, by Il peculiarly
be reached, mud the Midland Railroad real.
ICED. The writer believes Tint the conucc-
itions herein outlined would be worth avos,
deal moret To Charleston than the Midland as
now prnjcctod-vnluabl. ns the Midland Ger.
tain'y would bc-bccausc the Savannah Val
ley rnut would secure to her the substantial
benefits expected oil the Midland, whilst i,
also opens /" her II vast area not tributary I,
her III the PAST, and ensures to her nll that sh,
now ENJOYS or has ever controlled.
In conclusion, let me say that PROMPT action
and n little help towards extending the Su.
sunnah Valley. Railroad across the Augusts
and Knoxville Railroad at Mccormick to q
connection Eial' the Car"liua, Cumberland
County woufd tedound to the great benefit al
all concerned, but especially to the buildinp
up of our we'll beloved Charleston. And 7
cannot help saying just once .l,orr it is indec,
now or never. NER1Tas.
A Strong Plea for the New Midland
Railroad from Charleston to the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of the practical Ad.
vnntages of the Projected line.