The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-09
THAT WEIGHING.
Why the SenbOard Air Line Refuses
to Keep Faith with the Abbeville

to Keen Faith with the Abbeville
Cotton Mill.
About two years ago. when the building of
q cotton mill was agitated, the friends OF the
lepterprse consulted the authorities OF TIE
Southern Railway, and The Seaboard Air
The location of the mill had not been set
tied apon I'D IL was thought that the induce
ments by the roads, and liberal ot1ers oy
landowners might inhuence tne loCat,on, a,ont
10 settle on their line, said that they wouid
iron the side.track 10 the mill-if we Would
The Seabc ard Air Line said that they would
grade and Iron the side track and make US
present of q thousand dollars.
I The Directors OF the cotton mill accepted
the offer of the Seaboard in good faith. They
bought land. made brick, and selected sile
for the building.
When the factory folk were ready to 60 to
work and anked that the siue TRACK e. DE D. ou,.., M
tested and said that 1t was an expensive JOB:
and asked for relief In the matter OF the gllt
OF $1,000. IL was alleged that an imme I'M a
and bridge would have 10 be malnLainea nee
over the public highway. The Railroad ON.
cials commended that the route couIu not oe
and some reference was had to the poverty
and unprofit fitabeness OF the road.
After repeated assurances that the track
could not be laid on the ground. some OF the
half of lheiS prom ised gilt
The next day, or very soon thereafter the
work Of laying the track was comm a ehGeE, q;
The trestling and bridging are not largely In
evidence. instead of on the bridge ard long
trestle the side track rests on the ground.
The promise TO release the road OF one hali
Its proposed Gift, being given under state'
ments which we're misleading. the cotton
mill contends thai the road got the promise
of release under q nisappreh ension cf lacts,
and are now demanding that the company
/ ~,,tt leo O0nn
The promise OF the gift Of 81. 900 waH origi-
nally made by Mr.. Winder. On bis success
sion to the Presidency OF the road Mr. 81.
John promised to carry out his predecessors
The Cotton Mill has been good customer.
The freight on the machinery alone being
over $4,000.
The contractors for building the houses paid
the road perhaps from $1,000 to SS,0W.
All OF this within year, and yet that great
corporation, the Seaboard Air Line desires to
withhold the performance of ITS voluntary
promise to give the Cotton Mil 81 ,oo al an ln'
ducemeuts to locate on Its line. , ,.
The company can't well move the mill II
Ia located. II has so far complied Win lts
implied obligation to give the Seaooara tneiI
business, and now that institution doesn't
want to fulfill It's agreeme ent. II ls Try
ing to escape the performance OF lts VOlunta-
AGREEMENT. and the Cotton Mill Company
Is equally determined that the Railroad Will
It is Just and right TO say that President st:
John has taken no part In this wiggling, and
It may be that 1t is not with his advice ana
consent that the officials under him are seeR-
Ing 10 do the road and the cotton mill an III
justice.
AS a matter OF fact, strained relations are
not 10 the best interest OF the mill or the ROAD.
But the mill folk are governed oy tnelr
convictions of right and reason. and they Will
protest at the proposition OF the Seaboard
people TO evade the delivery of their promis-
ed gift.