Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-04-14
For the journal.
RAIL ROAD MEETING

the Journal
RAIL ROAD MEETING.
AT an adjourned meeting of the citizens,
held at the Masonic Hall on Tuesday the 18th
of April, 1s4s, in consequence of the absence
of the Magistrate of Police. Mr.. J, A, TAYLOR,
one of the Commissioners, was appointed
Chairman, and JOHN C. McIlAE was appoin-
ted Secretary.
The Chairman having stated the object Of
the meeting, the proceedings OF the previous
meeting were read.
Mr. GEO. DAVIS, On the part of the Com
mittee appointed at the last meeting to wait
upon the citizens, reported as follows:
REPORT.
The Committee beg leave to report, that
with good deal of labor they have perform
ed the duty assigned them as we'll as they
were able, and only regret that circumstances
beyond their control have prevented their con-
illusions from being as satisfactory as they
could have desired. They are here presented
in brief synopsis.
Having provided themselves with list con-
tanning three columns. one for those in favor
of subscription on the part of the town, to
the amount of 100000, another for those in
favor of subscription of $50, 900, and third
for those opposed to any such subscription
they addressed themselves personally TO eve
~ person whom they could find, owning real
estate, or voting and paying poll tax within
the limits of the town, and the following is
the result: 81 persons declined signing either
list, of whom 10 pay poll tax only, and 80
represent real estate TO the amount of $685.
$50 20 persons signed in opposition to any
subscription on the part of the town, of whom
pay poll tax only and Is represent real
estate to the amount of $12a,95O; 10 signed
in favor of a subscription of $50 900, of whom
pay poll tax only, and II represent $67 1855
worth of real estate; AIS signed in favor OF a
subscription of $1OO, 900, of whom $50 pay
poll tax only, 1875 represent real estate to the
amount of $64O,OOO.
1t will thus be seen, that the proportion in
numbers of those signing in favor of sub
scription of $40 900 to those in opposition
to any subscription is more than 20 to /, and
the proportion of their real estate not quite 5
to l.
The whole amount of real estate specified
above, is 81 ,O21 1855, which, deducted from
81, 267,7 $50, the assessed value of all the real
estate of the town, as appears from the new
tax list, and balance is left of $246, 495, of
which the Committee can render no account,
belonging to non-residents, absentees, minors,
deceased persons estates and corporations
The Committee believe, from the proportions
presented above, and from their own knowl-
edge of the state of feeling on this ubject in
the community, derived from personal commu-
nication with almost every man and woman in
it, interested in its welfare, that it would be a
legitimate, nay, very moderate assumption
to suppose that one half this amount, say
$123,247 is owned by persons favorable to a
subscriptio OF ST. 900, on the part of the
town. They also feel fully warranted in say
ing, that more than half in numbers, and full
ly one half in the value of their real estate of
those who refused to sign any list at all /, are
favorable to a similar subscription, but are
prevented from signing to that effect by pecu-
liar reasons, of which variety were stated to
the Committee privately. These data give,
as a moral certainty, IN addition to the mathe-
NAUTICAL certainty set forth above, the value Of
real estate in favor of subscription of $780,
900 at 1856, 1926, or more than two thirds Of
the whole real estate of the town, without
counting the sum of SGT 1855, mentioned above
as signed in favor of a subscription of $50 900;
and of these last the Committee believe that
all would infinitely prefer subscription of
100000, to the failure of the projected
scheme.
The Committee beg leave to congratulate
the meeting On the great degree of unanimity,
prevailing on this subject. The fact that in
this whole community but 20 persons, owning
a very little more than one-tenth part of the
real estate of the town can be found, who
will sign in opposition TO a corporate sub
scription in favor of liberal scheme of inter-
nal improvement, is wei! calculated to excite
the wonder of all, and 10 inspire the friends of
this great enterprise with fresh vigor, and re-
newed hopes.
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
s s. 5; 5 5: S S %SSS: Committee.
On motion:
Resolved, That the report of the Committee
be received, and the thanks of the meeting be
rendered to the Committee for their zeal and
attention.
On motion of Col McRAE:
RESOLVED, That in view of the facts set forth
in the report of the Committee, the Commits
sioners of the town be instructed TO subscribe
100000 on the part of the town, to the cap
ltaI stock Of the Wilmington & Manchester
Rail Road.
During the evening the meeting was ad.
dressed by the following gentlemen:
Dr. Thos Wright, COL John McRae, and
Messrs. T. w. Brown, o. G. Parsley, Edwd
Cantwell, and Geo. Davis
JOHN A. TAYLOR, Chairman
I'D