AR, SW 8/1/1863 P

Annual Report of the South Western RR
as of August 1, 1863,
President's Report
  
President's Report
South-Western Railroad Company
Macon, August 15, 1863
 
To the Stockholders:
 
   The operations of the Road for the year ending with the 31st ultimo, are clearly and fully set forth in the accompanying report of the Chief Engineer and Superintendent, Virgil Powers:
The net earnings of the Road amount to $437,380.75
From which there must be deducted what has been paid for interest on Bonds and for annuity to the city of Macon 21,081.97
$416,298.78
A dividend of 4 per cent. was declared in February last $117,096.00
And a dividend of 8 per centum has been declared this day 255,592.00 $382,688.00
Leaving a surplus of $33,610.78
   The Board deems it proper to be prepared, on the first day of January next, to pay the amount of tax imposed by the late act of the Congress of the Confederate States. By the Charter of the Company, it is provided, that no higher tax shall be paid than one-half of one per centum on the annual income. That tax has been imposed by the State of Georgia, and it has been regularly paid. It seems clear to the Board, that the Congress of the Confederate States has no power to impose any further tax upon the revenues of the Company. But the tax act declares, that whenever a corporation does not set apart, for the Government, ten per centum on the amount of their dividends. Thus, in one form or the other, the Government is to receive the tax. The Government will be benefited greatly by the Company's paying the tax, and the stockholders cannot be injured by that course. Considering the trouble of collecting from the stockholders, the fact that some of them may be alien friends, and thus escape taxation, and also, considerable loss might happen in gathering the tax from so large a class of persons, the Board thinks it best, whilst it protests against the authority of Congress to impose the tax, to pay it promptly. By this course, the Board gives evidence to the General Government, of a continued desire to do all in its power to maintain the cause of our country.
   The completion of the Railroad, across the Chattahoochee, into Eufaula, and the depot buildings at that place, has been delayed by causes beyond the control of the contractor. There can be no doubt that the whole can be finished before the first day of January next, and within the estimate heretofore given by this Board. From the balance-sheet, it appears that the cost of the Road and outfit, including several negroes purchased for it, stands at this day, at the sum of $3,538,211.94, whilst the amount received for capital paid in, and from bonds issued, stands at $3,641,466. The difference between the two amounts, $53,254.96, is more than sufficient to pay for all work yet to be done.
   The items of $39,173.56, stock and bonds of other companies, would probably command in currency, if the property was sold, over $60,000. There is, however, no necessity, at this time, to dispose of the property. It yields a fair annual interest. At a future day, it might be sold and distributed, in the way of an increased dividend.
   From the tables appended to the Engineer's Report it will be seen, that but little of the cotton in the country, at the date of the last annual report, has been transported over the Road. Our revenue has been derived chiefly from the carriage of grain and of passengers. The growing crop of corn in the South-west is promising, and there is no reason, apparent to the Board, to apprehend a diminution in our revenue in the coming fiscal year.
   The Road and its depot buildings and fixtures have been recently inspected, personally, by a majority of the Directors, accompanied by the 
Superintendent and Chief Supervisor. It gives the Board great pleasure to assure the stockholders, that everything was found in good order. The Superintendent, Mr. Powers, and his subordinates, are entitled to much credit for their untiring exertions.
Respectfully submitted,
R. R. Cuyler
President

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