The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-11
OUR NEW RAILROAD.
An Encouraging Report Of the Work
by President Gaines.

| We here give extracts from Ashevile Cit
| izen an account of the meeting with the Com
| rnercial Club OF Ashcville Oh the 3lst of DC
toher.
w. a, Gaines, president Of the Florida
Georgia and Carolinas railway and transpor
tation company, delivered an address in tht
rooms OF the Commercial Club OF Ashcvillt
on Saturday afternoon.
The object of the meeting was 10 afford Mr.
Gaines an opportunity to explain the advan
taCes 10 Ashevilo of lis road.
Mr.. Gaines spoke of the great natural nd
vantages of this line, running from Tampn
Florida. to Ashevile. and thence connecting
with reads on the north to the great lakes
The line would cross eleven great trunk lines
betw. Ell AshevilIe and Tampa, while there
was not Il parallel line as u competition.
The fact that the federal government has
inaugurated system OF reciprocity with al
the South American countries was a great
factor In favor Of the feasibility OF this line
of road, as tremendous trade would spring
up. demanding a through line from the great
Northwest to the South Atlantic and Gul
coast.
Mr. Gaines stated that he had already Sc
cnred in the way Of subscriptions some
81 900, QUO besides much free right of way and
other valuable contributions, and a large
number OF the Influential men In the states
sonth OF us are heartily at work 'on thi.
scheme.
The speaker was very enthusiastic, and con
tident tina t his scheme would be carried out.
Capt. Matt Atkinson offered q resolution
which was unanimously passed by the club
pledging hearty sympathy In the enterprise
President Gaines' Address.
The following letter has be issued by Pres
ldent Gaines:
AsHEvILLE, N. G., Noy. 9, 1891.
To the board OF directors, Florida, Georgia
and Carolinas Railway and Transporla
tion Company:
GREETING I'm accordance with the re.
quest of our convention I have now com.
pleted a canvass Of our proposed line through
Georgia and the Carolinas, securing pledges
of subscription and appointing committees
to complete this important work.
l have met with such success as TO be able
20 say 10 you that In subscriptions, available
grading track privileges, town sites and free
right of way we have franchise now worth
probably Two million dollars.
For our meeting In Augusta wish to sug'
gest for your consideration the following:
/. The vice president TO be eX-olflcio u dl.
rector In the company.
2 Have three directors In each county and
that they constitute county financial boards
whose duty IL shall be in connection with the
president TO supervise all contracts and dis
burse all funds county by county.
8. Formally auihorlse the touring track
lion and purchase OF other lin! kR.
/. With II great opportunityoY our hands.
what shall we do next? How about securing
charters, deeds for right of way, purchase Of
land with scrip, some preliminary surveying
small fund for expenses, etc.
All the cities, towns and country commun.
tiles interested, are invited and urged 10 send
delegations to sit In council with the di-ec-
tors, and editors of newspaper on our line are
ir vited to be present.
Very Respectfully,
w. \. GAINES, President.