Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-29

Elola5ly maintained. The works should at
least promise advantages to the people corr
responding with the amount to be expended.
The particular objects of improvement which
1T is expedient to prosecute at this time, is q
question submitted to the prudence and dis
erection Of the General Assembly.
Since the reorganization of the Raleigh
and CASTOR Railroad Company, the road
under the charge of that Company has been
thoroughly repaired, and the connecting link
between that road and the Wilmington and
Raleigh, and the Sed6oard and Roanoke Rail-
roads hasbeen completed. This road affords
increased facilities for transportation and
travel to an important portion of the State.
1t is represented to be in a very prosperous
condition, and is now paying a very hand
some dividend to the State.
The Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad
continues to afford great facilities to the pub
lie, and pays good dividends, which go to
increase the income of the Literary Fund.-
This road too is represented as being in a
very prosperous condition..
The North Carolina Railroad is progress
ing with the usual expedition of such works,
and a considerable portion of the road has
been laid down. This important enterprise
when completed, promises great advantages
to a large portion Of the State.
The Board of Internal Improvement have,
from time to time, as it became necessary,
ordered the Public Treasurer to sell the
Bonds of the State to pay her subscription
to this Road. Up to this time, the snm of
one million six hundred and thirty thousand
| dollars Isl, 63O,00Q) of the bonds authorized
by law to be issued for this purpose have
been sold by the$RuShe Freasdrer. The
State has realized no inconsiderate sum for
s premium obtained on these bonds, a fact af-
tordlng the highest evidence of her credit and
e standing. The report ofthe President and
s Directors of this company will be communi-
: Gated in due time.
TIL Charter of the North Carolina Rail
It road Company provides for the representa-
e ton of the stock of the State in the meeting
e of the Stockholders, but does not point out
b the mode by which such representation shall
be appointed. At the last session of the
General Assembly, an Act was passed pro-
e posing certain amendments to the Charter,
one OF which authorized the Executive to
MAKE the appointment and with that prop
r osltlon there was Incorporated another which,
n IN all probability, would have placed the
State, which owns two-thirds of the stock, in
a minority in the meetings of the Stockhold-
ers. This act was, in my opinion, very
d properly rejected by the individual Stock
holders themselves. At each meeting I ap-
pointed a representative for the State, but I
am unofhcially informed that such appoint-
ment has not been recognised as sufficient,
n and the consequence has been that the State
has been unrepresented in their meetings.
The right of representation is provided for in
the Charter, and its exercise does not depend
t., upon the assent of the individual Stockhold-
ers. Therefore, to make this question per-
tectly clear, 1T IS only necessary to provide,
by law, the manner in which such represen-
n tative shall be appointed.
In all cases where the State makes a sub,
n scrlptlon to a corporation, she ought to re.
lie tain the right to be represented in proportion
De to her stock.
re The construction of the Wilmington and
al Manchester Railroad has been prosecuted
with much energy and enterprise, and the
Improvement IS afording important advan.
e. tages to a portion of the State. AS far as
| have been informed, the Company having
ne this road in charge has not officially acted
In on the amendment proposed to its Charter
j by the last General Assembly. tits believed
of however, that the amendment will not be &C.
cepted.
he The States subscription to the Neuse Riv
IS err Navigation Company has been paid
lis The report of the President and Directors II
tie tft' fcshFafge' q that Company, is herewith
le- transmitted.
The subscription authorized by the Act O
IT. the last session of the Legislature to he mad
nd to the Cape Fear River Navigation Compa
mt ny has been paid upon a compliance will
to the conditions prescribed. The improve
ed ment under the charge of this Company is
no desirable OBJECT, and when completed will
ed anoro important commercial advantages.
ne Inc appropriation for the improvement O
b. lar KlVer has been paid to the Commission
on 6rS annOl0tn6 tn Snnaript.,J kLaL I
err is believed that the appropriation will h
de found insufficient to complete this desirabI
Improvement.
IN, The Fayetteville and Western Plank Roa,
Use has been extended. This valuable improve
ry ment has paid good dividends and afford
ng great facilities to the public. The report O
to- the PRESIDENT and Directors of the Compan,
on having that road III charge is herewith trans
mitted.
ty The Western Turnpike has also been az
e, tended, and is a work afording great con
is. venlence to the portion of the State in whicI
ut, it is located.
its The stock of the Mcdowell and YANG
'ly Turnpike has been subscribed, and a part q
De- the States subscription has been raid.
ed The Reports of the Cape Fear Nayiea
'es ton Company, and Of the Western PLANK
OF ROAD company are herewith transmitted
u" AOPO4" vi GH0 resident OF the re
nd tersburg, and of the Greenyille and Roar
he oke Railroad Companies and the Report q
lat the President and Directors of the Roanok
it, Navigation Company.
IRE Agreeably to the provisions of the &C
all passed at the last session of the General AS
sembly, to incorporate the Atlantic an
est North Carolina, and the North Carolina an
yer Western Railroad Companies, arrangement
he were made with the President and Director
ect Of the North Carolina Railroad Company. f.
e, the survey of a Railroad route from Beaufo,
We Harbor to Goldsboro, and also for the surve
Of a route from Salisbury to the Tennessee
ng line. In pursuance of the arrangements Co
Walter Gwynn was appointed chief enqinee
to superlntend their execution. The survey
tie of both these important improvements hay
at been made. The able Report of the surve
Die of the eastern Route has been made and
he herewith transmitted. The reports of n
as Western Route will be transmitted when a.
en ished.
The attention of the General Assmhlv
les respectfully invited to the subject of commo
ere public highways. Good roads are varv ~
ng- portant to every community. The nreser
rth mode of assessing the labor, to construct an
ay repair the common highways, is unjust an
has unequal. The labor performed is a tax
ley frequently occurs under the existing Law
we that persons possessed of large estates cor
DIS. tribute little or no labor in repairing road,
zap while heavy exactions are made Of otbsT
ere whose means are very limited. This
- wrong. Persons ought to contribute in mr.