Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-03-24
From the Raleigh Register.
COUNCIL OF STATE.

We understand, that owing to sickness in
the families of two members of the Council of
State, quOram did not convene on the 9th
inst, and that the Governor despatched spe-
ciai messenger for the nearest absentee, who
arrived at the Capitol on Monday-the other
members having ad iourned to that day.
A sufficient number being then present, Col.
Cadwallader Jones, of Orange, and DR.. Fred
erick J. Hill, of Brunswick, were nominated
and confirmed Commissioners of the Board of
Internal Improvement
The following Message was transmitted by
the Governor, respecting the destruction of
the Machine Shop, &c. Of the Raleigh and
Castor Rail Road:
MESSAGE
TO THE COUNCIL OF STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Your present convocation has been occa-
stoned, by reason of the destruction, by fire,
on the night of the 25th ult., of the extensive
Brick building, comprehendng the Machine
Shop and Engine House of the Raleigh and
CASTOR Rail Road, at the Depot in this City.
The Rail Road being the property of the State,
this misfortune, which is believed to have been
purely accidental, produces a public loss,
which is estimated at notices. than twenty-five
thousand dollars (S25,OO0.) Besides the
Building and Shop Furniture ofVarious kinds,
including stationary Steam Engine for the
propulsion of Machinery, four of the seven
Locomotives, belonging to the Road, which
happened TO be in the Engine house at the &C.
currence of the fire, were subjected to its ra-
wages !: two of them being totally ruined, and
the other two considerably endamaged.
With so serious diminution of its motive
power, and the entire loss of materials and
means for making repairs, it is obvious that
the operations of the Road cannot be contin-
ued, to the extent of the public convenience
and demand, and to realize the customary, in
come, which is necessary for its preservation,
unless resources can be obtained, to overcome
these difficulties.
The powers conferred on the Board of Com
missioners, for the management of the Road,
on behalf of the State, have been examined,
with a view 10 measures of relief, under their
authority, but are found to be inadequate to
any efectual remedy.
! 1t devolves, therefore, on the Executive, to
consider what the public interest requires in
this emergency, and have deemed it an &C.
casion of sufficient moment, to invoke the ad-
vice and assistance, provided in the constitu-
ton of your honorable body In communica-
ting with freedom, my reflections on the mat
ter in hand, it is hardly needful to premise,
that it is done, with the most perfect Difference
to your better judgment, and an earnest invi-
tation to rigid scrutiny of them, and frank
disclosure of your own views.
Three different courses of procedure appear
TO me to be open to us namely:
1st. To abstain from any interference, and
leave the Rail Road to go to destruction.
ID. To convene the Legislature, TO protect
it against this casualty
Sd. To exercise for this end, the power and
authority, of the Governor and Council, under
the act of the General Assembly, ratified the
9th day of January, 1915, entitled ian act tc
authorize the foreclosure Of the Mortgage OF
the Raleigh and CASTOR Rail Road
The first, in my apprehension, would be al
abandonment of public duty, without excuse
or even pretext. Not to speak of the conven
fence and advantage of this work, to the com
munity, which from daily familiarity are mo-
duly considered, and like the blessings o.
health, and the free use of our limbs, would
be fully appreciated, only after their loss, there
can be no plea for supineness or negligence
IN US, towards SO large portion of the pub
lie property. The price and other circumstan
ces, attending the purchase of this Railroad
by the State, are fully known to you
The report OF its Treasurer, for the first ter
months, after the purchase, submitted to thu
Legislature, showed its income to have beer
$751; 23 43. By the statement of the sam,
officer, prepared under direction of the Boart
of Commissioners, and published in the news
papers in analogy to the regulation respecting
the Report of the Comptroller on the public
Finances) for the year Immediately succeed
ing and ending on the 1st of November last
: the income in this latter period, was the sun
OF SOS. 9O2 81: all which, will more fully ap
pear from copies of both these documents
i hetewllh laid before you. Although in tn
p Ialte5 year, no profits were realized from tn
hoaI 70 me public Treasury, materials wer
= purchased LOT repairs. and improvements, OF
.. an extensive scale (among which NAV be par
ticularized 100 Tons Of new Ra;Iroad ron
bought and paid for, since the ad;onrnmont -
the Legislature); and by reason Of the add;tio,
of a new and superior Locomotive, and otbo
= :, arrangements suggested by experience, in tn
" now current year, its prospects were better a
the occurrence of the accident, than at an
'lme since it has been owned by the State
II Is manifest however, that the Railroad
% ValuaO'e only as trhole, and not in detact
Gu OF n.n!llated parts: and unless it be keI
sunlcleh'y repaired, and equipped, TO carr
II on transportation at least to The prtent> that
IL has done heretofore, the receipts will 500
fall below the necessary expenditures and !;
: operations must cease. The Question bofo,
J. us therefore is not between a less or 49,,