The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-31
A THOUGHT FOR THE NEW YEAR.

Of Manning IS aOGlllOnaI IdIIiOdu
facilities, and we believe, with a
little intelligent foresight on the
part of our business men, an
other railroad could be induced
10 come here. The Southern's
nearest point to this town is
Lewis, a station in the county Of
Sumter near where the old Man
chester depot used to be, a dis
9ance by an air line would not be
over twenty miles from here. Ii
our business men would get in
touch with the Southern, and
give that corporation encourage
ment, we think it would help US
build from Lewis to Manning,
and thus put US in position
where we could demand competi-
tive freight rates with the At
lantic Coast Line. The country
through which the road we have
in mind would run is level, and
very little grading, and trestle
work would be necessary; it
would open up a section now
being held back from develop
ment on account of no railroad
facilities. That such a road
would be of immense value to
this town and county is beyond
question, and when it is consid-
cred the comparative small cost
of building it, we wonder why
steps havenot been taken long
AGO to secure it. AS we are now
situated, this town is completely
bottled; our market is suffer
ing for want Of a freight rate to
put US on footing with towns
within reach of our trade. In
our opinion, if our business men
will awake to their interests and
give this matter the serious con-
sideration it deserves, within
twelve months, the matter will
take active shape, and in short
time thereafter good results will
come. We have several times
urged that some steps be taken
towards inducing the North
Western and the Alderman roads
to come here; these would serve
as good trade feeders, even if
thev will not affect our freight
rates, but the road we suggest
now, to touch with the Southern
would give us the advantage Of
both, trade feeding and competi-
ton. We also believe, if our
people will push forward in this
matter, the Alderman road in
time, will tap the Seaboard Air
Line, and this will give US still
more advantage. The time is at
hand, when we should realize
the country is growing, sand
it behooves every interesfte
look for that which wilESsssjse
US to advance along Wisfghe
other counties. We kno#of no
better way . to daYelop this
county thanSthropgh railroads,
these institu@efs Stimulate the
sections they traverse, and with
a labor problem confronting US,
we believe our only hope lies in
asiRg5he lands now lying
feCSWant of people. The
sfon through which our pro
posed route would go, is almost
a due west course, and from
every side it would invite i'm
migration, not necessarily for
eign, but good substantial white
people who must seek new homes
because of the increased valua-
ton of lands in prosperous agri
cultural communities; made so
by the building of railroads.
These people are forced to pay a
rental Of S. to IS per acre, for
lands not any better than ours,
because Of the development,
and they would gladly move to
this county where they can buy
for about the same as they now
have to pay rent. We have Civ
en- this matter careful thought,
and have reached the conclusion
that if our business men will get
in communication with the Off
cials Of the Southern, and show
them how cheaply a road can
be built, and the probabilities for
business, they will send their
surveyors over the route, and
make favorable report. If they
ind the line we suggest is not
suitable to them, they may discov-
er a better course from the Man
chester deport, which would
steer clear Of the few hills on the
course to Lewis; they may also
conclude to reach further and
take in the Pamela and Summer
ton sections. It matters not to
US the route selected, what we
want is to get unbottled. We
are satisfied. if our business men
will take this matter in hand, as
one of the inducements for con-
sideration on the part of the
Southern, they can safely prom
ise free right of ways, because
we believe the owners Of lands
would gladly give the right of
way when it is shown to them
the advantage they would de-
rive.
We are not writing this article
for the sake of filing space: we
are anxious to arouse our own
people to the realization that they