Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-05-26

Mr Ashe aud General DOckery-thc Fayetteville
Observer ana the Wilmington Herald.
We hope 10 be excused for devotng little time
and space to review of some matters in the Obser-
yer and Herald, less account OF any bear
ing the subject could have upon Mr. Ashe, than for
the purpose of preventing the spread of msconcep-
tons or misrepresentation with respect to the gene
raj course and action of the Democratic party
MIR. Ashe can very easily take care Of himself, as
perhaps even Gen Dockery has, by this time, been
brought 10 understand.
The charge contained in General Dockerys remarks,
in connection with Mr. Ashe, amounts to an assertion
that he is useless Representative, for the reason
that he is opposed to a General River and Harbor
Bill on constitutional grounds, that he belongs TO
a wing of party which is, and that therefore he
has been able to do nothing to forward the interests
of his district
By way of reply 10 this charge or allegation of
General Dockery, and for the purpose of showing
that he is not that useless representative Mr. Ashe
states the fact, which appears upon the record that
since he has been in Congress, two bills have passed
the House, each containing such appropriation as
was recommended by Professor Bache, for the vii.
mingtOn Bar These bills passed in 1851 and 1882
and appropriated $4,000 and $4,000. The first
one failed in the Senate, although Messrs. Badger
and Mangum both there and neither of them
restrained by constitutional scruples. charge OF
useessness will fall quite heavy upon them upon
4
for the whole River and Harbor Bill not, he
instrumental in procuring the insertion of the first
appropriation made in the House for the Cape
Fear Bar. The opposition in the House to the Sen
ate amendment to the Navy Appropriation Bill, Civ
ing $4,000, was on account OF what was supposed
to be It's irrelevancy to the subject it, hand, and the
danger of setting a wrong precedent in that respect
The reference made by Mr.. Ashe to Messrs Bad
ger and Mangum, which the Observer characteriZes
as a ':mos unworthy insinuation against Messrs
Jafl,y nd yUhic oh from rift
OF Wilmington, is most amazing, after all the proof,
overwhelming it is, before the public, of their
ceasing labors particularly by Mr.. Badger,) in ia
Vor of Wilmington interests" is evidently made with
such intent, but simply TO show that Gen. Docke-
Tys remarks, if they have any application at
ALL would apply equally TO Messrs Badger and Man
gum. 1t bears evidence on the face of it of being
purely defensive, and with idea of making
charge.
In regard to Mr. Badger and the Wilmington Jour
nal, and Mr. Ashes connection Herewith. we can
only say that Mr.. Ashe did address MIR. Badger a
letter that subject, and did tender his acknowledge
ments for Mr. Badgers subsequent course in relation
to the Bar
That General Dockery cordially supported Mr..
Leake, the proof is that he did support him. and that
the vote of Gen. Dockerys particular friends
given in a body and strongly for Mr. Leake. The
vote OF Richmond county is proof enough
G5- 1t is not denied by those who know anything
about it, that Mr.. Ashe was instrumental in getting
through the bills for the extension of time for the
payment of duties on the iron of the Wilmington &
Raleigh and the Wilmington & Manchester Railroads
1t is matter OF history that the Stockholders of both
Companies have acknowledged such nstrumentality
So much for the charge of being useess represen-
tatve.' Now for General Dockerys own votes,
since it is fair, that, having undertaken to fasten the
charge Of uselessness upon Mr.. Ashe on account of
20 |. a.. N IL
tlcmen should be allowed in his own defence, 10
retort the charge upon General Dockery, and show
some matters wherein it might be saddled upon him
with far more justice, the result of his General
Dockery's) hide-bound notions
Notwithstanding the instructions of the Legislature
and the large Railroad interest in North Carolina
General Dockery did vote 10 lay on the table the onll
bill that there any hopes Of passing, extending
relief to railroads by suspension of the time for the
payment of duties on their iron The bill was orig
inaIly bill for the relefof some Western Railroads
but at the time ii laid the table, there were
two amendments pending, in favor of the Raleigh
4 Gason and another making its provisions general
including the Central Railroad
The argument position assumed by Mr. Ashes
letter evidently and is, that, if his (Mr Ashes
opposition on Constitutional grounds to a General
River and Harbor Bill rendered him a "useess rep
resentaiive," much more did General DOckery
become "useless representative" in consequence
his opposition to a general suspension Bill, which
would have included two of our railroads, for the
reason that he unwilling to interfere with the
Tariff
All special Bills for either of the North Caroline
Roads, had taed and the delegation knew that III,
last and only chance was in the General Bill. Gen
DOckery voted to lay upon the table Venabe's amend
ment inserting the Raleigh and CASTOR Road. and al
forwards voted to lay the whole bill upon the table
while ParkerS amendment was pending, making thu
provisions of the bill general including, of course
the Central Railroad
The Observer says, with all the emphasis of italics
that "General Docke1y nerer did rote as Mr.. Ash
stntes to Tag tie table either the Raleigh and Gas
ton Bill, or Central Railroad Bill 81 How much
accuracy there is i'll this assertion of the Observe
may be seen from consideration of the facts WI
have presented. Gen. Dockery did vote to Law OF
the table the only Bill of which there was any hope
and which would have included both roads, beeaus
of his hide bound Tariff nOEons
The object of Mr. Ashes letter was simply self
defence against the charge OF uselessness preferre
against him on account of his constitutional scruple
with reference TO General River and Harbor Bill
IN that defence he has fully retorted the charge upo
General Dockery, on account of his opposition to
General Suspension Bill on the duties on Railroad
Iron, which Bill would have benefited the Raleic
and CASTOR Road, and for this opposition Genera
Dockery had no constitutional scrupes to offer, bu
simply his own hde-bound ante -deuvian protectiv
Tariff notions. And while doing this Mr. Ashe ha
successfully repealed the charge of uselessness-ba
shown that he has accomplished something for hi
State and district.
BANK AND RAILROAD SToCKs AT AUcr1oN.-O
Tuesday last NJ. CronIy Esq, Broker and Auction
eer, sold at public auction, FIVE shares of Cape Fef
Bank Stock, at Sis so; sixty live shares of the SAN
at Sll8 90 per share Also, five shares of Wilmn.