North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-01

Sir, assert that this act was effected by loo roll
ing procedure in the Legislature which passed it,
And how does this appear! Why sir, the strong
friends of the road called upon the members from the
East who resided contiguous to Neuse Tar rivers
promising them that if they would support the bill
charterng the Road, they (the friends of the Road
would go for appropriation Of $4,000 clear out
the N euse from Smthheld to Newbern, and $25. 900
TO clear out Tar river from Washington to the falls.
And what was the promise made to the Senator from
Richmond and Robson (Mr. Rowland y That if he
would go for the Road, he should have $4,000 TO
clear out Lumber river; but when his bill up they
refused to give him any thing and suppose he lost
sight of the time specified ny the rules for reconsid
ering, and when he made motion for that purpose
was told by the Speak that his motion was not in
order. =
Is this all No sir. 1t is we'll recollected that
on this question there tie in the Senate and it
per consequence decided by thecasting vote of
the Speaker
Now, sir, does any man entertain, for one moment.
the opinion that if this question had been Submitted
to the decision of the people, it would have been de-
cided it decided! l presu ne no man in his
senses, will assume such position. Then, sir, is
it not evident TO every rejecting mind, that the
ereign power has been taken from the reople-the
hard-6sted, Woodworking. tax-paying people, who
the props and support of every government-and
welded by the hands of few Sir, is this right
Is it Republicanism ! Is it Democracy? Is it not
rather making the people the conservative, and the
Representative the sovereign! And wish here to
ask, it possibly be doubted that if all the freemen
4
majority of them would vote for my Resolutions
Surely no sane man can doubt it. IT, them the peo-
pie are for my measure, how, in the name of Repub
lcansm, can the representatives go against it
Mr. Speaker wish for a moment, to call the atten-
ton of the House that portion of the charter which
relates the Raleigh and CASTOR Rail Road. The
provides that whenever the company shall subscribe
$500, 900, they shall have the power to mortgage
half of said road with its appurenances enable them
to purchase part of the iron. 1t further Provides that
when they shall have expended this sum in 7 iron,
heavy iron. weighing not less than SO lbs to the
yard, and laid the same on the road, the Governor
shall be authorized TO sell and convey to the said COM
pany half of said road with its steam shops,
gnes, waterstatons &c., for the expenses incurred
The act further provides, that from and after this
contract, the old stockholders and obligors to the
State shall be forever released from the payment of
the bonds which contend they justly owe the State.
Now, sir, the same question recurs here which
had occasion ask respecting the Central Road, and
to ii precisely the same answer IS applicable. The
question if stock in this road is to be very pro-
6able, why have not the old stockholders taken it
Is it not obvious need illustration, that serious
doubts entertained respecting the profit of the Stock
the risk of which they not willing to take upon
themselves bat perfectly willing that the people
should assume it! This is another proof of the prin
ciple of anti-republicanism to which have taken
casion before refer, being entertained respecting
these RAILROADS. 1t is notoroI Mr.. Speaker. that
lean minority seeking to be benefited without the
consent, yet, at the expense of large majority.
There is one item which omitted in speaking of
recoIlect, sir, that the provides that in the
event the contemplated sum- three millions of dollars
should not be sufficient to build the road, the books
be opened for subscribers, or the necessa-
~ raised by selling stock, or by borrow
ing on the credit of the company, and that of the
charter and works. And the manner in which the
shall be done, in either case is to be prescribed
by the stockholders at general meeting. I ask,
what is here shown? Why, sir, most conclusively |
that those who Voted for the charter in doubt
whether S3.0O0.0O0 would build 1.-THE road: and burst
not fill the blank with the words, " the amount suf-
fcieht to complete the work., fearing that 1t would
be than the people would submit to and sup
pose they thought the better plan to feed them
sgt until they should far progress with the
work that turning back would be out of the question,
and then they would administer the hard.
Mr.. Speaker, ask is not here fair chance for inn
position2 What amount cannot that company bor-
row for two-thrds of which the State will be bound
company Without limit. saying nothing of pepetuity,
SO far borrowing money the credit and faith of
the State is concerned.
am aware, Mr.. Speaker, that many ready to
pronounce me anti-Railroad and an anii-Internal
Improvement man throughout. But, sir, the princi-
pies which hold respecting this subject merit no
such title. am as much III favor of Internal I'M
provement any man here, provided the system be
conducted by individual enterprise. But, sir when
the people be taxed to accomplish any system
the benefits of which not, and cannot be equally
distributed throughout the whole State, feel bound
to record my vote against 1t. And my principle re-
speeding ms SUBJECT, is ny 10 inedHS mover one.
Sir is Great Britain more distinguished for Rail
Roads than any other empire on the Globe? And
what, pray, has been the policy which she has pur-
sued in accomplishing her giant models of Internal
Improvement Has ii been union of State with in
dividual enterprise So far from it, SIR Parliament has
epied on enormous Railroads bull by indiuduaI
effort. The same principle for which am here con-
tending has been clearly exempihed in the Northern
States of our own country. Examples not want
ing then show that it is bad policy combine the
State with individual enterprise; for informed
that wherever such union has been effected, fail
has been the result; but where individuals,
aided by the State, have taken the matter in hand,
SUCCESS has crowned their efforts. This believe
be the true policy, and the only policy which can
receive the sanction of the freemen of North Carroll
ma and before l would sustain, either by word or
deed, principle which believe be adverse to the
wishes of majority of my constituents, would re-
sign my seat and go home.
1 have now done in regard to this subject. what in
good conscience have conceived to be my duty, and
The will of my constituents, by which latter consid-
Grafton my conduct shall be strictly guided long
as they see fit to honor with their confidence.
Rail-. ROAD MEETING IN MILTON.