The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-03-20
Wednesday, March 20, l907
Railroad Meeting.

Renresentatiyes OF the South Carolina Pup-
lie Service Corporation met q NUMBER Vi oui
people In the Commercial Club room last
Wednesday. Representatives from Level
Land, Anlrevllle and Due West joined the
CITY people IN meeting representatives OF tne
PROPOSED electric railroad.
Tine gentlemen made convincing speeches.
and there seemed to be but one sentiment
among those who had assembled TO hear
them.
The city OF Charleston ought to employ
their full time TO travel over the country 10
inform the world as TO the importance ottnis
very centre OF travel and trafho. charleston
ia from 200 10 $40 miles nearer every place On
earth than any other city.
II we 20 directly to any place. the route ID
by Charleston.
charleston Is 600 miles nearer the fansma
canal than any other city.
cbarleston Ia 200 miles nearer the West In
dies than New Orleans.
Tit whole Northwest can ind 8 seaport In
Charleston closer TO them in than any other
port ..-
While the speakers did not say 30. yet, II Ia
fair to presume that II we are going TO the
Dearly gates VI II SSs
route would be by Charleston. And then
again, II we we're making for the great Iron
doors that open toward the lake OF hre and
birthstone, the way would still be by Charles
ton.
Retter speech es for Charleston were never
made. And If Charleston realizes ano I'M
proves her advantages all his country VIII
be tributary to her commerce and 10 ner
greatness. A.
Viewed In q left handed light, however, tne
speeches OF the electric railroad folk were a
most fearful iarraignment OF Charleston
Having all the enumerated advantages 10
position, that old city'has been asleep While
the railways have been collecting excessive OF
p-ohlbitive freight charges from the somnam
bulent brethren.
And lust think OF 1t. That old city has sub
mitted not only to the cutting OH o. the traoe
and business ofall this country lying TOWARD
the setting sun, but 1t has gone on ior tlme
out OF mind paying ruinous frelgnS raoeS'
The excessive freight rates and the conse-
auent diminished business has shut out the
shipping from the sea that should come and
20 from that port.
II we could only publish the speeches that
we heard yesterday, the people would aot az
one man.
Tn speakers promised TO stop their cars al
the farms along the electric road, and take on
and off passengers and freight. Guano Wouio
be delivered on the farms. The trains wonlo
run every hour.
The electricity would be bought from the
local sellers. II II could be had at satisfactory
prices. If it could not be so bought. then
thew would establish electric plants OF their
own.
It was shown in the history Of other electric
roads that lands bad increased from tnree
hundred TO five hundred per cent. aner tneH
establishment. Steam roads we're OF little
beneft TO the farms through which they run
Freight could not be delivered by them along
the route.
The electric cars would run as units or as
trains, according 70 the demands, and tney
would stop anywhere along the road, deliver
ing freight and passengers or receiving ousi'
ness. The man who lived five miles from q
station could jump on a car that would stop
for him at his own door.
In q business way. their proposition was all
that anybody could with. They want $S,OO
from Abbeville county and the rights Of way.
They do not ask us for one cent until after the
road has been in operation for thirty days.
They propose to put In all the money, with
the understanding that we take ten per cent.
In stock for the money which they e1pend 10
b uiiding our railroad.
They have faith in the enterprise.
They nave no other advantage to gain than
that which comes from good dividends. and
they expect to make dividends by rendering
acceptable and profitable service to the pec-
pie.
The people along the line will be doubly
b benefited. The railroad will develope the
the country and besides this development Of
our county, we will have an equal chance al
dividends.
And the electric railway property will be
here forever for taxation.
Tbs city and county will do their whole
duty In this matter.
It is the iairests and the best proposition
that Abbeville county has ever had.
We cannot anord to miss this chance for
material development.
We want the road to come to Abbeville, and
We want it 10 60 through Due West and Level
Land, or Antreville. on It's way to Anderson. |
Messrs. Erwin and Wakefield OF Antreville
and Messrs. r. C. Browniee. r. S. Galloway,
and A. 8. Kennedy Of Due West were present, |
manifesting interest in the enterprise.