The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-05-20

AZ cutuW. because the nSureS OF DOth
are before its eyes as to the cost Of this
section Of the road. In tho report, Of
the chief engineer and superintendent
Of the road, Of the work done to May
1882
Captain Kirk says:
"Result" Of operations from April l.,
1881 to May /, 1899.
Amt. ex- miles Expnd.
pickens, sPs sa%sS s'' IS pr s7s US
AAbbsvills' 7.sso.Oo 100 1850
Average $15,S7i.sO N.6 $557.l4
This report WAS published in the
Medinm, and shows plainly that q
miles were graded in Pickens, Anderson
and Abbevillc for q total expenditure Of
~$l5,37I.OO. or an average per mile OF
$557.14 and ten miles from Troy to-
wards Abbcvillc, have already been
graded at an average Of $73S.6O Dor
mile, including the heavy work on both
sides Of Long Cane. Now add for IRON
ing and e%quipping according to the
Schotieid estimate, and our fellow-citi.
zens can sec how candid and truthful
hns been the reasoning Of the Medium
AS to the Press and Banner, it's rca-
soning. if such it may be called, is all
theatrical or clap-trap, and from a stand
point Of the seventeenth century. 1t is
content with the road of our fathers.
That is to cut off all progress and advo-
cate the old mud road t. Hamburg, a
wagon and four. little mules with six or
eight 325 pound bales OF cotton, and
seven days to make the trip Of sixty
miles and return, up to the hub every
jump, and the unfathoinnble Devils race
paths en- route. II in after years a rail
road cut or canal should happen to cross
that country, horse skeletons and bro
ken wagons will doubtless be cxhumed
from the depths and astonish. the
natives as a memorial Of the hard times
of our fathers. Yet the Press and
Banner claims to be an advocate Of,
progress. to be public spirited, and to
have. worked hard, in a practical way, to
build up the town of Abbeville. This
means, We suppose, its advocacy of red
oats and mule colts. Certainly it does
not refer to its opposition to factories,
free education and rail roads, nor to the
d~enouncing OF our citizens as negro
MurdcrprS.
A little tram branch rond from Verde
ry or Greenwood is O as advantageous
as this grent through line which crosses
the entire chain of Appalachian noun
tains, opens the way to the Mississippi
valley, and taps the North West, whose
vast production will ere long taxi the en-
pacity OF every seaport upon the Allan
TIC! Baldcrdash fails to reach tho case
without a big qualifying adjective. But
they claim a guarantee for the building
OF the Cumberland Gap Road. What
guarantee is offered hat either Of the
suggested branches will be built i?
Does not common sense suggest that all
reason is against it. What ey-
or encouraged the bnilding Of short
branches to rail roads ? The whole
history of rail roads teaches us that a
short branch was never known to paw.
Abbeville has a branch now TINT does
not pay. 1t is not likely that the Gcor.
gia Central or any other company would
put its capital in a branch from Verdcry
or Greenwood to Abbeville, with on'y
the possibility Of dividing the freieh.
at reduced rates with the branch already
running there, which has a monopoly or
ireights at high rates that does not paw.
The Abbevills branch has reduced
Its trips to u C. n day, and that
does not pay. The next move will be
to reduce them to twice or thrce time: q
week, and If that is not profitable Gas is
very likely. Tor reduced facilities will
certainly lessen trade and busincss,)
then it may be that the branch will. he
altogether. What then for
The editors OF the two
opposing papers can then write pathetic
editorials to the bats and owls, The
Cumberland Gap Road is the best hope
Tor Abbevilie. and in our humble judg-
nent the iast hope. The people OF Al
.eyiIie hal better mt allow themselves
in This matter, ~ tlse inculcntionI
a tin,idity that would risk nothing in
my achievement however grand.
It's spurious economy tina, saves at
The spigot and loses at tile hung, In
Ibis matter true ncononly<lies in the di-
Of wise BLerslity. And the
sensational appeal to the t.poor" taxpay-
Dr. loses much Of it's pith when the TAX.
payers know that the road will pay 4
assessment on shout 100000 in1
Abbeyille County. The MEssENaxR has
already c0nclusiveiysanaweredaH obfec-
lions In relation to the bondes and mort
gegs for 422,U00 per mile. Which lat
IeTsetAnds open or huexecutsd and noti
81 ~ st9nedssxcept On sase conditions.
Nd hers1 Nonid mention ID felstion tol
y3efenttes, that under the Child ~ OIL
i9tnir9ctt The yUed sass 10 abS Eotnnis;1
~ 9ysNecf0n1;p k Ave miiSsS and y6f5fS