The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-10
SECOND DAY.

SOHNtHtlou Incl us d'J'uiHru'
The following delegates reported their names,
VIZ:
From olph-EIush Mccain.
From Mecklenburg-Saml. J. Lowre.
From Davie-A. &. Carter.
The following Resolution was offered by Mr..
Baggariy, OF Ir-d.lI:
RcsoIU,d That the North Carolina Western
branch from Salisbury Central Rail Road via
South Troy, be considered for extension to the
Watauga Pass.
On motion Of Mr. Boyden, of Rowan, the Res
oIuton was laid on the table.
Mr.. Boyden from the General Select Commit
tee submitted the following
REPORT:
The General Select Committee have performed
The duty assigned them as we'll The brief period
allowed for consultation would permit, and have
directed me to submit the following Report:
Your Committee, in The first place, deemed it
expedent TO recommend 10 the Convention the
adoption of some general principle which should
in their opinion, guide the Legislature in lending
its aid to Railroads, or other works Of Internal
Improvement. And your Committee, upon the
suggestion OF the Honorable gentleman from New
Hanover, agreed upon the following resolution
with great unanimity:
Resoircd, That this Convention being deeply
impressed with the necessity OF the State Of North
Carolina establishing some general principle
which should hereafter guide them in afordlng
aid 10 corporations in The construction of Rail
Roads or other works of Internal Improvements,
do recommend TO the Legislature to lend its aid by
subscribing two.thirds of the capital stock neces
sary for the construction OF such works alone as
shall, in their opinion, tend to deveope the
sources OF our State and concentrate the trade
thereof upon some one or more points upon our
seaboard navgable waters, within our own Dor.
ders, when it is ascertained that individuals or
counties will sui scribe the remaining sums, re.
quired for such construction.
Your Committee then thought it necessary TO
point out certain works of internal Improvements
which would come within the scope Of the afore.
said resolution, and in performing this duty they
found more difficulty than in the adoption OF the
principle, as il is usually much easier to establish
proper governing principle, than 10 determine
all the cases that fall within it.
Your Committee had little or no difficulty 10
recommending as falling within the principle thus
adopted, the construction of a Railroad from
Goidsborough Uia Kinston and Newbern to Beau
fort harbor; and likewise that from Salisbury by
the best and most practicable route to some point
on the Tennessee line, as proposed by the resou-
ton referred to your Committee introduced by the
gentleman from Catawba.
Your Committee then proceeded to the consid-
Grafton OF the resolution referred to them, intro
duced by the gentleman from Onsluw. Your
Committee entertained no doubt that the construc-
ton Of this line Of Railroad would tend 10 the de-
vrlOpmrnt of the resources of an important Sec
ton Of the State, and to the concentration Of the
trade thereof upon desirable points in our own
State. but some Of your Committee feared that it
might likewise tend to injure or diminish the VAL
ne OF the capital Of the State and individuals
already invested in the N. G.. Railroad,
A majority of your Committee being of differ.
ent opinion, however, recommend the construction
of this line OF road.
There then submitted to the consideration
of your Committee by the gentleman from Meek.
ienburg. resolution for the construction of a
line of Railroad from Wilmington, or from some
point on tho Wilmington and Manchester Railroad
through the town Of Charlotte TO the Tennessee
line. (See the fourth resolution beIow.)
Some of your Committee entertained the opin.
ion, that although this line OF road would un-
doubleday contribute TO the development Of the
resources OF al interesting and important section
OF the State, and thus far come within the prnc.
pie adopted; yet portion Of your committee en-.
teEaned fears tina: the construction Of this line Of
rOad, might tend greatly to diminish the value of
the capital OF The State already invested in the
N. g. Rail Road, and likewise divert a consider.
able portion of the trade from the Western Sec
ton Of the State, from our own markets, and Ill.
rect it to the seaporrs in South Carolina, and thus
violate the principle adopted by your Committee ;
but a majority oil Your Committee, being of opin.
ion that it would not have this effect, determined
to recommend the construction OF this line Of road
also,
Your Committee next proceeded TO the coasid-
Grafton OF resolution in the following words, ill.,
troduced by The gentleman from Mecklenburg:
ResOtred, That this Convention recommend TO
the Legislature Of North Carolina, the passage Of
an act authorizing the counties and corporate
towns through which, or near to which said Rail
Kond may pass. TO subscribe such sums as may
be regarded udcios, after the sense of the voters
of said counties and towns may have been taken
in relation thereto.
The committee unanimously recommended the
adoption Of this resolution.