Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-09-15
For the Standard,

To the Stockholders Of the " C. and Western Rail-
road-Z0 Tao payers and State Bond Holders.
As Colonel W alter Gwynn was selected by the
State to make the preliminary surveys for the North
Carolina and Western Railroad and as l have al
ways understood those surveys were conducted by
him with that economy, judgment and skill due to
his long tired experience; and thablS able Report
on them had inspired such confidence in the Legis
lature as to obtain charter and liberal appropra
tons to carry on the work; and as know, those
surveys would not have been pieted in time for
the action of the Legislature had not Col. Gwynn
promptly supplied the from his private purse,
and rendered himself personally responsible for the
expenses to the amount of nearly So 900, | took
it for granted when the Company was organized,
both Stockholders and State, fully impressed with
the Importance of securing the best Engineering tai
ent of the State to insure the entire of
enterprise, which, when carried to completion may
involve expenditure OF nearly $40 000 900, would,
without hesitation have solicited the renewal of the
services of him, who had already recommended him
self so strongly to their especial consideration by
the great and peculiar services he had already render
ed, and whose pre-eminent ability an En- neer
has been established by active and arduous engage
ments in the Internal I'm provemcnts of the State
during period of more than twenty years and
whose high reputation is still sustained by his excel
lent management of the North Carolina Railroad
the interest of which he has adhered to- and abored
for, with indomitable frmness and perseverance,
amidst many Vexatiops and perpleXites involving
they did great sacrifice of personal feeling
Judge, then, OF my surprise when heard 1t init
mated that some of the Stockholders, for what
son am at loss to know, disposed to favor the
aspirations of an assistant Engineer, who having
served some few years under the Colonel, deems him.
self now qualified to take his place.
This movement seems so unwise l scarcely
credit the rumor. | am sure however, if there can
be any advocating the substitution of this young
Engineer for Col. Gwynn he must have taken very
superficial view of his interest as Stakeholder of
the Railroad, as a tax payer, holder of State
stock, if he is one-all which interests are deeply
involved in the management of this great work.
ought O know hat th.l itv Of E0oi-
neer to build substantial Railroad with economy
depends, not only his experience and Judgment,
his firmnesS and decision all which important requi
sites are prominent in the character of Col Gwynn,)
but also on his power to form strong corps of
sistants to carry out his views and to attend the
details of the work; in which the Colonel will
of course have Incompatible advantage over
the young aSplrant as he could not only command
the "yourg aSprantS' services if he required them
but could with his discerning judgment make the hes:
selections from many of the aspirant'S equals
and superiOrs, who have served under him, and
whose qualifications have been tested Whereas, if
the young aspirant is advanced to the high position
he aims at his field Of choice must be comparative
ly limited, there will be few if of his equals
who would be willing to bow at once, and become
subordinate to his fedged honors howsoever
deserving he may be of them. And therefore, with
all his want of experience and decision, consequent
upon filling for the FIRST time responsible of
flee Chief Engineer, he will be unable to strength
en- himself with strong party of assistants
his untried situation Will most particularly require
And thus, without sufficient experience and unfor-
titled with such aid as he ought under the circum-
stances to have, he will be called upon for greater
exercise of judgment than is ordinarily necessary on
Railroads, in consequence of the many ntIicacies
in the mountain passes, involving perpexing CUES
tons on tnnncling, bridging entertainments. &C.,
with the strictcSt regard to grades, influencing
they do, i'll wonderful degree the working |
penSeS, and permanent usefulness of a Road to de-
eide which questions very accurate and close esti-
mates must necessarily be made, to trace the best !
route. And then again, when the road is built, will |
he not be called upon to act in branch of the pro-
ession, in which, if mistake not, he must be per
fact novce-thc equipment Of the road, which will
involve a large expenditure? As he certainly new |
er has acquired any practical knowledge of ma
chinery, can he be acquainted with the rela-
tive character and standing of the various work
shops throughout the country never having had any
dealings with them he must necessarily subject him
self great risks of imposition and fraud and conse.
quent embarrassment and heavy loss to the Com
pany.
In submitting these views of mine as to the cx-
pedicncy Of soliciting renewal of the services of
the we'll tried and highly honored Chief, instead
of experimenting the unt"ied ability of an assis
tant Engineer who has never yet built a Rail-
road, have not made any aliusion to salary be-
cause it is minor consideration when experience
and inexperience tried and untried qualifications
are to be considered as all know one single blum
der may cause a loss 20 the Company of more than
five times the highest salary that would be given
But this Western Ro ad is considered an extern
sion of the n. c. Railroad is it not probable that
Col. Gwynn would be willing to take charge of the
two works. with Il moderate addition to his present
salary, under such appointments would be high.
y satisfactory to the two Companies?
FRIEND TO THE WORK.
September 10, 1853.