The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-01-07

struOi the Raleigh and Western Turnpike Road
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Mr. Speaker: 1t was DOT ny purposC
originally 10 delaln the Senate with speecl
II this time. The sol tct is not one vel
calculated to invite The debaler. There are
no great principles involved IN lis discus
sion, no constitutional points tor the meta
physician to eluciIgle; nor does II afford Z
field for the exercise OF the passions, or thC
play Of fancy. Il rs q plain matter Of fact
detail aud calculation. |; would have beer
more agreeable to me uui to have addressed
The Senate IN tue present stage Of The bill
But as II was my fortune To repau II, aad :.
It vas uuaccomPau.cd by any written state
mcu. OF tho views Of the committee, feel II
ucumbeu! on me 10 explain tie object OF It's
several provisions aud 70 state seine Of the
reasons 10 favor Of rs passage.
/ |, IS well known, Sir, that an impression
prevails very generally, that lho preset, Is
an unavorab!e time ,0r the presentation Of
suci.a project. llisa period Of almost Uni.
yersaI depression aud distress There IS an
unparalleled scarcity Of money, great ces
sat,on oftay5IiiBg, and general s,aguaiton
10 business. By consequence, saH.c {. Tie
rnb''c works ~ PROCESS have han s-sgend.
. Cd iof t.mc, wlle those already compile.
ted have yielded Ear less prof! than their
projectors anticipated. Several Of aur sis
ter States having heretofore embarked 10
extensive schunes Of ia'ernal Improvement,
aad having borrowed large suns Of money
10 perfect them, uoS find themselves dcep4
involved 10 deb', aad almost oyefhIrdeued
By their past engagements. Nutvtfhstaud
ing these seeming difficulties, do not hest,
late to express the opinion ;h1t tbs IS The
safest and best time for tho consideration
and adoption Of such Measure as l.at pro
posed by tho 5di nov uqaSr consideration.
10 the fitness Of deulgh and liaor, We often
oyerusi.mat9 orr strength. 10 periods Of
great general prosperity, when property is
highest, commerce most ii4ur,sAlur, aud
money most abundant, we often greatly
over rate the ability Of our powers and the
extent oG our resources. Uniefthe inalouce
OF feelings excited by such condition, 10
magnificent enterprises, which they have
not tho means 10 accomplish. They are
then IN danger Of heiug arrested in their
career By the first obstacle and overwhclm
Cd By adversely. Bot If, on tho other hand,
sc Cegia q; The period Of the grraies; Dc
P'efsion, if VIC take our place a! the bottom
of Fortunes wheel, iaon @c have least 10
apprchend. Ang change most 10 for tho
beucr. The daRgel lhcn b lest wo should
be too timii 10 attempt any thing. North
Carolina las IN Ihe5o matters ever erred on
tho side Of caution. Il therefore, the task
now IS not too gtea! fJr or strength, II we
can OILY begin 70 move, NO may feel assur
cd tia, oar ylgor vii increase as NC pro
grc3s, and tho burden become lighter with
zach step. Gan We then, Sir, under exist.
no. circumstances, accomplish what tins till
proposes J expect to show, SIR that sc
cou do so without additional taxation, with.
out borrowing, and without cauahiag any
Of our present Expenditures, whether for ed
ucalion, or for other purposes.
L., ns hir. Speaker, IN the fret place,
examine The different provisions Of the bll
# proposes that the road shall begin ii tbs
place. Raleigh Is Tie capitol Of the State,
the termination Of one r. Road and 10
the vicinity Of another, which must ere long
reach Il. Its near the centre Of the State,
between the Northern and Soalhorn boun
Diary, and in the line Of travel between the
East and the West. The termination Of
the Road is TO be on the Tennessee line, or
at the town of Ashavilie. It IS in the al.
tentative for thlsteason. 1.-THE road shoud
take its course through the North Western
counties il ought Internationally TO be con.
,nued 10 Ieraessco. BIZ, il, on the other
hand, il should taiso rolta through the
middle or Southern counties which il ap
pears 10 mr., for reasons that | viii present.
Il slate, VIII be the most eligible location,
then j, mus, inevitably pass through Bun
combo county. In that event, on its reach.
ing AshevilIe, II will find tho better roatc
from thence on 10 Tennessee, already &C.
cnpied by tho Buncombs turnpike. That
road, even now tho hes, your State through
the Allegheny range, eau be greatly i'm
proved, by giving the company m eAtCn.
sion Of the term Of its existence and rCqnlr.
ing".l as a condition precedent to improve
their road. Besides, Sir, without even this,
il may DO compelled By the Courts, 10 keep
tho road up to the specifications Of the char.
tor, which is frequently no. its condition.
This, the largo profits of its stockholders
will enable them to accomplish without any
hardship. Such beng tho state of things,
there is no need that the road from this
place to the west should extend farther than
Ashevlle. The termini being thus es,sb
lished, tho bill is Intentionally silent ns TO
the route between them, This has been
complained of II has been said 70 mr.,
s" Why do you not show your hand ! Come
out aud let Ms know how You propose 10 10
cate the road and we shall then know
whether to support il or not" There are
two reasons, Sir, why daem il inexpedent
to designate in the bill any particular line
for the road. 10 tho first place, il 10 i'm
possible for any one, without an accurate
knowledge Of the ground, 10 be acquired
only by survey, TO undertake. TO determine
which is the best ron,e. BY simply look
ing a, map Of the State, no one can tell
what portions of the country present sur.