Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-07
Gbe 9tan0arO.
RALEIGH. WEDNESDAY. SEPT. =, 1853.


RALEIGH. WEDNESDAY. SEPT. I, 1853.
COST OF RAILROAD SURVEYS.
We copy the following, in relation to the proposed
survey of the GAINESVILLE and Leaksvile Road, from
the Milton Democrat:
GRAIL ROAD SURVEY. We stated in our paper of
the 10th instant that at meeting of the Committee
on the Rail Road Survey from GAINESVILLE via Milton
to Leaksville, N G. they had appointed w. II.
yey and estimates. We were mistaken in his name
it was E. A. Blanch, Esq, who appointed 1t
appears from his letter that he will commence the
duties of his appointment IN October next. We are
gratified to be able to state that have heard
raj of the Farmers and Planters residing on
the proposed route that they will open their houses
without charge to the Engineer or his assistants and
also give them all proper information and aid Such
hberaity deserves all praise and IS justly due to the
liberal offer of Mr. Banch, to accomplish the task al
most without charge on his part We are assured
by those who know, that he is faithful and compe
tent Engineer We wish the Committeeman ap-
pointed to raise subscriptions to send statement
of the amount they have, and to increase it all they
The following is copy of the letter of Mr.. Blanch
to two of the members of the Committee.
GAINESVILLE, VA. Aug. ID 1853.
Messers. WMBIsH AND HOLLOWAY.
Gentlemen: Being requested to state to you the
probable cost of the survey for Rail Road from this
place to Leaksvile ] submit the following estimate
which is nearly exact as the nature OF the case
will allow.
1 assume that five or six weeks will be required
for the work The estimate given below is for six
Hire of hands weeks s15 per month $4,000
Board of do do 10 10000
Salary of 1st AsssstantEng. 100 1890
Board of End Engineers 10 5000
sis, &c. 5000
Stationary Plotting Board Rules, &c. 800
Loss on Hatchetts, Axes, belts, 1000
Expenses of collecting hands, 1900
Expenses of myself during the service, (say) 25,00
Salary of myself during the service, 00,00
$4,000
1t is impossible to state with exactness the cost of
the survey. The above amount of $1,000 will
think be sufficient to all expenses attending
it, provided we can procure wagon and two horses
and camp out. l will however keep an exact &C
count of all penditures, and present it with vouch
and charge nothing for my services. The item
for Board of hands is perhaps too high, the for
loss on wagon &c may be too low, but, think, is
about right There may be a slight expense attend
ing the preparation of the survey for its presentation
to the Legislature. This however will be slight and
will confer with you in regaad to it before it is in
Cured. will commence the survey early in Octo-
ber l am very respectfully, yours,
E. a. BLANCH."
Our purpose in copying the above is first to give
our readers some idea of the internal Improvement
spirit which is pervading the Dan River coun-
try and secondly to institute comparison between
the cost of this survey and that proposed under the
direction of the North Carolina Railroad Company,
from Goldsborough to Beaufort
The distance from GAINESVILLE to Leaksville is be-
tween seventy-ivc and one hundred miles. The
greater portion of this route is mountainous and
more difficult, of course, to be surveyed than the
route from Goldsborough to Beaufort, the most of
which is level; and the distance from Goldsborough
Beaufort is about the that from GAINESVILLE
to Leaksvlc. 1t is evident, from the estimate SUBJ
mitted by Mr. Blanch that the GAINESVILLE survey will
not cost more than 81, 900 $1,000.
At the last session of the Legislature laws were
passed providing for surveys West from Salisbury
to the Tennessee line and East from Goldsborough
to Beaufort and $12 900 appropriated for the former
aud S. 900 for the latter AT the last meeting of the
Directors of the North Carolina Road at Salisbury,
Maj. Gwynn, of Virginia, appointed Engineer of
the Road at salary of So, 900 per annum, and
also directed to superntend these surveys, for which
he is to be allowed $4,000 more-$2, 900 for the |
Western and 81 900 for the survey from Goldsbor-
ough to Beaufort He is then to receive 81 900 for
merely experimenting this survey, and the other |
So 900 to be applied to the expenses of the same;
whereas, if the estimate of Mr. Banch be wefound
ed, he is TO survey II route OF OfeI
a much more difficult country, and the entire cost
is not to exceed s., 900! He says he is to charge
nothing for his services; but he will be paid, of
course by the parties concerned and have allowed
$500 for his six weeks work, though it is likely he
will be paid $780, which would run the whole cost
to 81 200 But put it down at 81 800, and the differ
ence is sufficiently striking.
Maj Gwynn, as we have stated, receives $4,000
per annum as Engineer of the Central Road, with
he privilege of acting consulting Engineer for
other works out of the State and he has consented,
we learn, to give up his Virginia salaries and reside
n this State This is twice the amount paid our Su-
oreme Court Judges-more than twice the amount
paid our Governor-oYer three times the amount
paid our State Treasurer, and just five times the
salary paid State Comptroller We have no
loubt that just good Engineering information and
talent Maj. Gwynn possesses could have been Sc
cured at So 900 per annum if not for So 000 that
or the S. 900 some Engineer in every respect COM
petent could have been obtained, who would have
superintendent these surveys part of his duties
is State Engineer and without extra charge
Ever since the CASTOR Road was projected certain
in this State have aDDoared 70 under