The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-31
The Cumberland Gap to go to McCOr'
mick,


Mccormick needs another railroad. and
which she must have. Her citizens and the
country at large are manifesting O high de-
gree of interest in this direction. Competi-
ton in freights will hoist our sails, and ena.
BILE this to be one OF the leading mark cts in
upper Carolina. With no competition she
leads her sister towns, and with ompetition
what would be her power? One of the engi-
neers OF the Carolina and Cumberland Gap
reported to us In the city the other day, that
the route will be at least one-half mile nearer
to come via Mccormick than Troy. This Is
good news, and he also said that II enough
money was raised that Mccormick would gain
let us pull. With the liberal citizens. and the
aid of Mrs. c. II. Mccormick, the great and
good woman, we can pull the ropes. Now
don't let this grand opportunity pass us by.
and we will conquer. There is no time to
waste. What Is to be done must be done
quickly. Let us have meeting and hear our
strength. Don't be afraid to give, you will get
back tenfold. One OF our merchants has al
ready said he would give two hundred dollars.
The cry OF the NeaUs Is, "Let II come Mo.
Cor1nick ADVANCE.
Without vouching for the story, and with
out expressing our belief in it, we have heard
that Mrs. Mccormick would give $4,000 to
build the road from Edgefield to Mccormick.
The plan, as we have heard suggested, is
10 run to Mccormick and then by Troy. 1t is
claimed that this would increase the distance
only three miles. This last proposition seems
reasonable enough. If the road can afford to
60 four miles out OF direct line to reach
Troy, we see no good reason why it should
not 60 three additional miles out of Its way to
60 to Mccormick, and we believe that If Mrs.
Mccormick will give the $50 900, the road will
be built to that town.
The Cumberland Gap folk had meeting al
Aiken last week. Mr.. Scofield has sold out to
Northern man who has promised to finish
1t to Abbeville, II we give him five per cent OF
our property. We understand that Bill will
be presented to the next General Assembly,
which will be fair and safe to the taxpayer,
when the people can do as they please in the
matter. OF course, with an insecure law, and
with law which does not even make the pre-
tense of giving us justice, we would be solidly
opposed to tn voting away of our money, but
with q fair law, 1t is our present intention not
to urge the voter one way or the other. With
a just and equitable law before them the peo.
pie need no advice as to how they should
spend their earnings.
We believe the principle Of voting away the
peoples money for railroads is wrong, but
then we are sometimes justified in doing
wrong that good may follow, and those com.
munit!es that have assumed the largest obli.
cations to pay taxes seem to be most thrifty,
and those who pay the lowest taxes manifest
the greatest spirit Of unrest.
II we are legally guaranteed that 10 taxes
can be levied until the completion Of the road,
and If we are vouchsafed the benefit Of the
taxes on the railroad, the opposition to the
levy will be less pronounced, but without
these guarantees we would think the people
would do an unwise thing to vote away their
money and their lands.