Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-02-23
Remarks of Mf'. Houston,
OF DCPLIN.
,pI,<,erod ;o the Houpc of CommonS

De!vered in the House of Commons.
The Fayetteville and Greensboro Railroad Bill be-
ing under consideration, Mr.. Houston said, having
addressed the House at some length Saturday last
in support Of this BILL he regretted to say upon
the suhje But sir, will throw myself upon The
indug ence OF this House correct impressions
made by the gentleman from Orange Mr.. H. ex-
pressed sorrow, 10 meet the opposition Of the friends
of Railroads, aud of gentlemen who had been act
ing in The advocacy of Internal improvements hereto
fore.
But it added establishment to this sorrow TO witness
by gentleman of acknowledged chivalTy attack
upon this bill, insidous nd ungallant, and he
conesses himself attack IN the rear. The gentle
man exceedingly eloquent and instructive in his
details 10 the House Of the popuation products and
general Importance of the county of OnsICw. He
sneeringy inSinuates that Onslow is poor, that her
people import their corn and that there nothing
The soil, commercial prosperity OF the county te
invite Railroad to her borders He complains that
the portion of the State between Fayetteville and
Beaufort is too poor to be improved Let me turn
back sir the pages of the North Carolina Legislature
In lS48 find the representatives OF the county OF
Orange upon this floor urging upon the State the he
cessty of embarkng in this great enterprise and we
also find here foremost among the champions Of I'M
proYement the identified gentleman himself urg and
pleading for this road not upon the principal OF en-
dorsed bonds, but by The aid of the State to the tune
of twothrds of the stock, and what was the reason
assigned? Upon what ground did they Justify this
nor less than the plain nipple and homey plea of pou
erty, and sir am informed by honorable gentlemen
now present that this the available plea, and Sc
cured the States aid the work. How artfully the
gentleman blows hot and cold; the poverty of his
constituents entitled them to 5000, 900 tor Railroad
purposes while the poverty OF other sections entitled
their applications nothing, that is the sarcasm of the
! gentleman which | consider nothing The gentle
man gives US unmistakable evidence of classical
taste, and find forensic ability, but sir while storing
up literary gems and oatorca flights he has forgot
ten that brig hest Jewel of human character conSiS-
tency He has alluded to the position of parties, an
alltSion which the gentleman should never have
maize while the recollection Of the late Gubenatoral
campaign is fresh in the minds of the people Won
| der if the gentleman willing last summer to 90
with Gen. Dockery into debt Of fifteen millions.
wonder if the gentleman Joined with the press of his
party in carping and criticisng the 'udicous system
| of Governor Bragg.
He calls the Democratic friends of internal improve
ments " his auxares' Sr am like an ancient
philosopher, when com hmented by the wicked feal
have sinned. If the gentleman has classed me pro
perry | must endeavor 10 get g delivered from my
friends" voted for the million bill for the gentle
mans road, not because am liberal or have any
great affection for the enterprise, but because my
hands are bound and fettered by the action of pas
Legislatures have felt worse snce giving lha
vote than any one which | have yet given in thu
House not, sir, because the work has merit. bu
more particularly account of the company In which
places me.
was not a voter when the Legislature in 184{
created and imposed upon the State this debt. Now
it comes with bad grace from the gentleman TO lee
ture myself and others upon the ject of econom,
because ask some small Sfdteuid for The interest,"
of our constituents and for other projects besides hi
own peculiar one-the North Carolina Road
| am North Caroinian in interest AMI feeling
am actuated in my votes by sincere desire 10 secur
her best interests, east and west-break down ih
barriers that divide us-develope her resources an
enable her to take the position to which she enlitle
lin the rank of States