The Watchman And Southron

THE BLACK RIVER ROAD.

We are glad to see that the Business League is pushing forward in the endeavor to have the road across Black River opened at once.

At the meeting in the Court House yesterday afternoon, a number of the leading business men were present and several earnest and practical talks were made; but the attendance was not as full as desired, and the meeting was adjourned until 12 o'clock today, when it was hoped by sending out a notice with a list of business men to be served, large attendance would be secured.

The estimate made by Mr. J. R. Haynsworth, who made the survey, was that with convict labor the road could be opened at a cost of $1300. The County Board, however, declined to undertake the work, and instead appropriated $1,000 to be paid on its completion of the road. To this the City Council added an appropriation of $400.

This action left the road to be opened by private enterprise, and the Business League of the City of Sumter having had an experienced railroad contractor go over the ground and estimate on the work, the League has undertaken to raise by private subscription the amount necessary to supplement what has already been appropriated by the county and city.

The estimate referred to is from a party who has all the appliances to do the work at once, and the price named is about $3,500.

Although this is considerably above figures given out, it is nearer what good many thought the cost would be. It is on a basis of prompt work, satisfactorily done, by a regular contractor, not by convicts under overseers paid by the day for an indefinite time.

What is wanted is to get the road opened at once in time for the fall trade.

This will give an immediate return upon the investment, and by developing our tobacco market this season may insure the establishment of one or more factories here for next season.

It is estimated by conservative business men that if that road is opened $70,000 worth of tobacco and $30,000 of cotton and other produce will come here in wagons that now go elsewhere.