The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-12-03
THE SEABOARD AIR LINE IS INTACT.
THE RECENT DEAL HAS FAILED.

Manufacturers Record, Baltimore, Md.
The failure of the New York people
TO secure " controlling interest in the
SeaOoard Air Line, as now announced
should cause profound thanksgiving,
not only throughout the South, but
WhereVer there exists any interest in
the future of this section. That the
concentration OF ownership of all rail
roads In the central South in New
! York hands would prove serious in-
Jury to this section, and eventually to
all Southern railroad securities, admits
OF no question. In the first place,
competition is essential to the best in
forests OF the South it is essential to
| tho success OF its merchants, manu-
| lActurcrs and farmers A.; it is essential
| to the best railroad work for the up-
| building of its industrial resources and
the encouragement Of immigration.
The Scaboard Air Limo has given this
| much-nccdcd competition. No rail
road company in the country has done
better and broader work for the ma
tcrlal advancement of the country
! tributary to it than has the Seaboard.
1T has, In fact, during the last three
years, accomplished more along its
1000 miles Of territory than many roads
have done with double or treble the
| mileage. Under its present manage
ment 1T has been power for Southern
advancement, and the Manufacturers
Record has regarded lis probable sale
as Il menace TO the prosperity of this
section, even though not SO intended.
In the second place, the purchase of
the Scaboard would have been regard
ca Dy the South as tho gObbling up CT
the last independent line north of
the politicians Of the populistic persua-
sion new lighting ground against
raj ~llroads. 1t is safe to say that under
Sucn ClrCuUu.l-,..,L - - t...t'nr would
have been enacted in the centriLl SJutu
OF vast injury to all Southern railroad
securities, and Thus to all Southern
| business interests.
with tho details of the recent con-
test Tor control, the Manufacturers
Record has nothing to do. 1t may,
however, very appropriately be said
that the record OF tho present admins
during the asst three years Of probably
uncQualcd business depression is one
Oh which any company might be proud.
IN Ihat Time this company has shown Il
most marvellous increase in the magni.
tudc OF The roads traffic, u wonderful
developments OF passenger service by
the cstab .ishment Of through Pullman
trains between Washington and Ports
mouth and Atlanta, Whereas three
y
and no through passenger SERVICE the
establishment of Atlanta terminals,
the enlargement of Portsmouth facili-
lies with new warehouses, Office build
ing. enlarged water front, &c, the
raising Of the standard Of tho rolling
stock from very inferior condition to
It's prcscnt high grade with tho best
locomotives and good cars. All these
things have been done, not, as is often
hn OK >f
ings. GA the contrary, during this
thrcc-ycar period the gross earnings
have largely increased, but better by
far than that Is the fact that, nOtwith-
standing this very great advance in
the physical condition Of the road, the
not earnings have made Il very large
gain also.
! With the announcement that the
Scaboard will continue as an indepcn-
don't system, the pcoplc Of Baltimore
and Of the South have an opportunity
TO stand by this company and make
sure OF its perpetual independence by
giving it the most liberal support.
This need not be done in any hostility
to any other company, nor out of any
sentimental consideration, but purely
in sclf-defense for the future. 1t is
scarcely possible that any other great
railroad system between Baltimore
built. The territory is practically
occupied. The concentration Of owner
ship Of existing lines into ono manage
mcnt would for all time make Balti
more and the territory from here to
Atlanta dependent upon one manage
mcnt. 1t would be- too late to fight
too late to complain Of railroad domi-
nation, true or imaginary, after that
had been accomplished. There would
| hN M fnp nnt hnr limo nd
would be built. This matter should
be regarded without any question as to
present management OF other lines
than the Scaboard. Their manage
mcnt might to-day be as helpful to the
South as that Of the Illinois Central
now is, (thc Illinois Central seems to
be more nearly perfect in that respect
than any other great system,) but to-
morrow there might como change
that would be destructive to trade be-
tween Baltimore and the South and to
the now rapidly developing interest Of
this section.
Baltimore and tho South must strive
to maintain independent systems, Or
else they invoke dangers that may
pove of untold injury. The Seaboatd
is independent up to date and the deal
more and the South make some vigo-
rous cirCrts TO SEQ that the indcpcu-
dcncy Of this system and tho transfer
Of its ownership to Now York are for
ever impossible. This way lies the
safety Of future business inter csts of
tho territory between here and At
lanta. Every business man, merchant,
manufacturer or property owner is
vitality interested in this. Moreover,
everyone interested in Southern rail
road securities is equally concerned,
| If ho would Dcrfcr not to see lcpisla-
, tion that would prove OF injury to
every business. Let tho business pco-
pie Of the South sec to it that this sec
tion in tho future as in the past has
tho benefit Of the competition Of indc-
, pendent railroad systems.
An important legal point, involv-
ing the jurisdiction of magistrates in
, civil uNSCs. was arguCQ Il few days 400