Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-24
SPEECH OF Mr.. GRAVES,

Mr.. SPEAKER: 1t is with marked and unfelgned
lifidence that take the floor, the advocate of
project of vital importance to my section of the
State and humbly think to the State at large, after
hearing the able and very ingenious speech Of my
friend from Martin, in opposition to what think Is
the policy of the State in regard to internal I'M
prOvement
Before entering upon the merits of the bill before
the Senate, permit me to give my views as to the
true policy of the State submit and maintain that
the State should assist in all projects of internal i'm
provement that have merits sufficient to justify their
construction Why? Because she is certainly the
great landlord of all the lands of the State,
and any project that is certain to benefit and i'm
prove the value of those lands most assuredly will
benefit her; and if she is to receive the benefit can
any good reason be given why she should not
give her aid and assistance in their construction?
Again, it may and has been argued that it is unfair
and unjust to tax portion of the State for the
purpose of building and constructing projects in
another portion. At the first view this argument
seems to be fair and lncontrOvertabe one, but let
us see how it will bear investigation. Suppose you
tax my constituents to aid in building the " North
Carolina Railroad (as you have done) and after the
completion Of that road, yea, even before the lands
and property along the line of said road increase
in value sufficient amount to return into the trea-
sury, upon the next assessment more than the
amount drawn from the other portions for the con-
s:ructon of said Road, have my people the people
Of other portions of the State lost anything? |
think not, but they have gained not only in the way
have mentioned but IN others; for presume there
is no upon this floor that is prepared to contend
that that project is not and will not be very great
to all and every portion OF the State at
some time other.
Again, Mr. Speaker, are we to learn nothing from
the example set us by our sister States? Are we to
permit them to tap on every side, until our very
lfes blood is drawn and sucked from us; are we to
be jeered and tainted again and again with the ap
peation of " oil Rip"? Are about to fall from
the position have TAKEN back into our &C
customed apathy ,hemmed in by our every day trles
bound in the narrow circle in which we turn round
and round never advancing knowing none but lit
tie views and little motives, without energy because
measure our means instead of trying them? God
forbid
A few years since and the great thoroughfares to
the far west thronged with the best of
population but the tide has changed, and there
more returning than are going out. Make the
enquiry of them for the and they will respond
that | was driven from the borders OF my beloved
native State for the of facilities for getting what
I-could make to market and when heard of the
mighty change that had come her, that she had
thrown off her accustomed apathy and aroused her
self to action, and had entered into liberal system
of internal improvements, determined to return TO
that State that gave me BIRTH believing, yea, know
ing her to be equal to any in the Union. W it'll these
facts before US call upon my friend from Ashe to
know if he is prepared to drice his sons from their
mountain home
And now, Mr.. Speaker, permit me to submit to
the Senate for consideration the merits OF the bill
under consider ation 1t is bill for chartering a
Company for the purpose of constructing Railroad
from some point either in the County of Person or
Granville running thence westwarlly TO or through
the coal-ields of Rockingham and Stokes Counties.
1t ASKS the State to aid in constructing said Road,
by becoming partner in the corporate Company.
1t is proper to ask what the to justify
the outlay of million and half dollars in con-
structng said Road? What arc the probabilities OF
its being paying Road?
A distinguished Engineer has said: 1T has al
most passed into axiom in Railroad economy that
any road, judiciously located in fertile country
will sustain itself ~ will take it for granted that it
* adj ed hat he f,rth he IS
of the most productive and fertile portions of
our State, and pass on TO other reasons why said
Road should be built, also why think it will be
paying Road 1t the first place it will develope the
vast mineral of that section of the State
known to exist to unlimited extent in the articles
of coal, lime, marble, copper and iron, and passing
i'll the vicinity of OF best chalybeate springs in
the world, also alum spring Pennsylvania has
built the Reading Railroad, ninety eight miles in
length at cost of seventeen and half millions of
dollars through barren and mountainous country
solely for the purpose of getting access to the coal
fields. That road paid last year million, ninety
thousand dollars clear of all expenses, and after pay
ing the interest at six per cent the seventeen and
a half millions of dollars. 1t has been contcnded
by some that coal could not be transported over
Railroads, but by reference to the coal trade of
the United States YOU will find that there is
coal transported on Railroads than in other way.
For the above reasons, and precedentS, think am
justified in saying that the Road if constructed will
pay. But for argument sake let admit that there
is doubt about its being a paying road. l ask Sen
ators they prepaid to adopt policy that would
let the mineral wealth of the State remain locked up
in the bowels of the montains, and be content
progress but to remain forefatherS left
US? BY reference to the Comproers report it will
be that the county that have the honor to
represent upon this floor pays more taxes into the
Golfers of your Treasury than any county in the
State except eight-more than any, that is not much
larger and more populous and should this road be
built it will the Transportation of the single
article of wheat amount sufficient to pay the
whole of our taxes
But may be told by the opponents of the road
that it is Virginia road deny it. Why should
carry coal to Virginia when she has coal
much nearer? Why should we carry flour and
manufactured tobacco to Virginia when We have
better market in the eastern part Of State7
Should this road not be built arc then forced to
go to Virginia. You will not permit to make the
connection between the North Carolina road and
the Danville road so that go south and east
VIA the North Carolina Railroad the best markers.
In conclusion ask the Senate to discard prejudice
and give to this bill liberal vote. have much
other statistical information which would be pleased
to give the Senate, but fear have already weari-
ed your patience. There is other consideration
why think this bill should pass it is that it will
most eecually and forever quiet all fears of that
much dreaded event, the connection with the Dam
vile road.
WAKE COUNTY COURT This tribunal is in session
the present week. On Monday, number of gentle
qualified Justices of the Peace, Constas
blcs &C., and much important County business
transacted.
Anderson K Clements was reelected County Trus-