Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-01-05
From the North Carolina Standard
PLANK RoADs-THEIR COST, &c.

Of public opinion by the universal testimony
OF all with whom we converse, there is moth
ing which excites more interest and regret a.
mong the intelligent citizens of North Carroll
ma, at the present moment, than the want of
proper facilities on the part CT her inhabitants
those residing in the western
part of the State-for reaching the seaboard.
We hear daily repeated the cry, which, for
the number OF sufferers, and the visible evils
of lis influence, has been for years gathering
force and importance, that the planters of the
west have no outlet for :heir large and accu.
mula'ing products, but within great distance,
and. that the only avenues open 10 them lead
directly out of the Stale, and are yearly car
rying off that wealth which should properly
be encouraged TO remain within our own bor-
ders, and be so disposed as to increase the
riches and the number of our own Citizens
If, in addition TO this, we may rely upon the
statements made in the public prints, an occa-
sion has arrived, when, if the energies of our
people are not speedily employed in maturing
some practicable scheme for Internal Improve
meni, these grievances and Inconvenience
will be greatly increased by new arteries of
communication, leading from Virginia and
South Carolina, which will, in the end, not
only divert in the direction of the seaport
towns OF those States the larger portion of our
Western trade, but will indefinitely postpone
the hopes of all our people in the establish
ment of place of export of our own, identi-
he'd with US in feelings, interests and position.
SO generally, indeed, is the existence of this
danger known, and so widely appreciated the
necessity for prompt and vigorous action, that
there IS scarcely newspaper published in the
State which does not now contain in each of
Its numbers, communications, dictated by the
soundest patriotism, and evidently the fruit of
much dellberation and research, calling upon
the people to awaken to a sense of their true
position, and suggesting various schemes for
remedylng an evil thus universally felt and
acknowledged. But while the whole people
of the State, regardless of former and recent
political distinctions, are thus eager to embrace
any scheme whose tendency will be TO arrest
these threatening msfortunes, 1t Is upon the
Legislature that the responsibility more par
ticularly rests, for timely, immediate, and SUI
hcient action. In the absence of any large a
mount of private capital, the assistance of the
State as absolutely necessary TO the success of
any general scheme for Internal improvement
And in the present emergency that assistance
should be more particularly given, for the
State being Stakeholder in the Wilmington
Road, 10 the amount of $780, 900, besides be-
ing responsible on the bonds of the Company
for 100000 more, payable in six annual in
stalments of $4,000 each f.; beginning on the
LIST OF January, 1912, and ending on the Ist of
January, 1849, is as much interested as any
other element Of the commonwealth. The
Company, it is known, have not been able, e.
ven with all the advantages of an intelligent
Directory and able President, to meet but one
of these instalments, and they have conse-
quently been paid by the Public Treasurer,
out of the funds of the State. Besides this,
the State is the owner of the CASTOR Road,
which is said to be worth 81 500, 900, but cost
her $500 900, making, however, the sum of
more than million and a half which the State
has actually invested TN cash in these two
Roads. It being admitted (and there seems to
be no question of it,) that this large amount of
the public monies is in imminent peril, the
question will arise-and it is submitted with
entire Difference to the members of the Legis
loss tcithout an effort? And by prudent legis-
lation not only save this money to the people,
but to save the people themselves, who as
stockholders in the Roads, planters in the
counties which they traverse, or merchants
and citizens in the communities which they
benefit or have called into existence, are also
deeply and vitality interested.
The answer to this question may involve
the propriety of relinquishing the claim OF the
State TO the stock she now owns in the Will
mington Road; which might properly be done
on condition of the same amount being taken
by the Company in the Manchester Road OIL
its transfer over to them, and it 1rM involve
the propriety of making still further appro,
prations for Internal Improvements; but it is
question which should be met and disposed
of at the present session.
We are aware that there are many who
shrink from the responsibility, but we believe
that as fast as public opinion becomes known
and better counsels prevail, their number is as
rapidly diminished. To the few who will re-
main opposed to Internal improvement il
the State, we can have but little to say. /
NJ considerations of public policy or The gooc
of individual communities, grounded upoI
suggestions of unquestionable authority, cal
influence some legislators to depart from TIT
narrow policy which their fears. more thar
their Judgment, has marked ont if the loss o
more than million and half of public mo
ney-the utter ruin of tao valuable lines o
communication-th prostration of business
the bankruptcy of individuals, and of an en-
tire community, the most thriving, energetic
and prosperous in the State and the retro
graduation of the State of North Carolina, eve
now far outstripped in the race of progress;
all these cannot prevail upon some minds t
adopt course of policy recommended by it
necessity and essential bearing upon all GU
interests, and now unanimously called for b.
the press and the people; surely the feebl
voice Of individuals cannot hope to meet wit
better success But from those enlightene
minds whose liberal views may be anticipate
to exert an important influence in the presen
Legislatures well from their number a
from the weight of their personal character
something different may be expected. The
will doubtless weigh we'll the grounds of
decision so full of importance TO the preser
and future interests of their constituents, an
being impressed with the necessity for imme
diate action, they will proceed at once 10 adoT
that scheme which, il. their judgment, will Z
once secure as far as now possible the inter
ests of the State, and the communities cor
cerned, and be also best adapted 10 the natu,
Of our physical circumstances, and erteRt {
our means and ability
We think there is prejudice, and it mu:
be owneda very proper prejudice, against tn
investment of another dollar of the public me
ney in Railroads. There is also we fancy a
indisPosltion on the part OF the legislators an
people of North Carolina to push the Wi
nnington Road to bankruptcy. and hence tn
suggestion as to the proper disposition TO ;