| From the Albany (Ga.) Patriot |
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| March 14, 1861 |
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| Macon & Brunswick Railroad |
| We have received through the
courtesy of the Hon. A. E. Cochran, President of the Macon &
Brunswick railroad company, their "Annual Report for 1861."
The President, Directors and Engineers deserve the highest praise from
the public, and the thanks of the stockholders, for the very energetic
and economical manner in which they have thus far directed the
operations of this important enterprise. We use the word important
because it is an important enterprise for the people of Georgia. By it
we have an interesting section of our State brought into market, and
will soon be developed. Without it, that portion through which it
passes, from its isolated condition, may remain dormant for a century
to come. Then we repeat that the energy which has been displayed on
the part of the company is commendable in the highest sense of the
term. |
| If we mistake not, this road
connects the dividing link between Chicago and Brunswick, a distance
of about eight hundred miles. It will also place Brunswick commercially
with Memphis, on the Mississippi, a distance of about six hundred
miles, and by the construction of the "Brunswick &
Albany," the "Girard & Montgomery," and the
"Albany & Mobile roads," it must in a short time make
Brunswick a very important Southern commercial emporium. Healthy, well
land-locked, and with a bay capable of bearing upon its bosom the
almost combined fleets of the world, together with other superior
local advantages, mark her out as a point intended by nature for a
strong and flourishing city. Then it becomes well the substantial and
patriotic people of Georgia to come forward and render assistance in
the immediate construction of the roads alluded to. We subjoin the
following matter of interest from the report, and regret that we
cannot give entire the flattering accounts of its officers: |
| "The total amount of
stock subscribed and interest collected thereon is $711,299.00 --
including the stock taken in contracts. The total amount expended thus
far, on account of grading fifty-seven miles, purchase of iron for
thirty-seven miles, materials: rolling stock, bridging, masonry and
laying down superstructure, &c., $133,000.17, leaving a balance of
$307,200.83, yet to be expended. |
| The amount of subscription
here stated, does not include the stock subscribed in the counties of
Appling, Telfair and Montgomery, which it is still believed proper not
tu use until the work reaches those counties. |
| It will be seen by reference
to the report of A. N. Rogers, Esq., Chief Engineer, that the actual
cost of construction up to this time falls below the original
estimate, $16,580, being four per cent on the whole sum estimated.
This is the result of the rigid system of economy adopted in every
department of the work, and the temporary reduction of some of the
grades in the river swamp. |
| This Board had hoped to have
been able before this time, to have had the iron for the Southern
Division; a piece of road so much needed by the country just at this
time, in the exposed condition of our coast; but the unusual
stringency in the monetary affairs of the country, growing out of our
political troubles, and the shortness of the Cotton crop, has rendered
it impossible to realize on our stock notes and city bonds for that
purpose. It is, however, hoped and believed, that upon the
construction of a new and permanent Government in the South, within
the present year, political affairs will become quiet, business
revived, public and private confidence reinstated, and the country
return to its wonted prosperity." |
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