Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-10-03
WESTERN Exr1ENsIoN-coL. GwYNN.


A writer in the Salisbury papers, over the sigma
ture of "a Westsrn Han, " complains of the late
article of the Standard in relation to the appoint
ment of Col. Walter Gwynn as Chief Engineer of
the Western North-Carolina Railroad as "untimely
and uncalled for" as s-..sis5s
We beg leave to say, in reply, that we certainly
had wish to "forestall the action of the Direc-
tors nor do we believe their action has been or
will be unduy affected by our remarks. We en-
terrain too much respect for them to suppose for
moment that they would be influenced by any 9TH
er considerations than such as should have place
in the minds of intelligent and patriotic men,
gagged in the performance of important public duties.
The suggestions we threw out were the result of
some reflection, and proceeded from sincere desire
for the success of the great work they have in
charge. "a Western Nan" should bear in mind
that Editors of newspapers have way of submit
ting remarks" upon all pubio questions and that
they frequently embody and present, in no incon-
siderable degree, the views of intelligent persons
and of the community generally. They do not al
ways wait until their opinions suggestions
called for; they in the habit of consulting
others to when they shall speak, when they
shall be silent, to what they shall say when they
do speak. 1t is proper to state. however, that the
Editor of the Standard is solely responsible for the
article recommending the appointment of Col.
Gwynn; and may venture to add, we think, that
if any paper in the State has right to be heard on
questions of internal improvement, the Standard
has We have been engaged for many years in an
earnest and active advocacy of internal improve
ments; and though there hundreds, including
"a Weste,n Han. " who are more deeply interested
pecunarly in the Western extension than the Editor
of the Standard is yet there is one who is more
ifs rlate the DrOSDeri-
ty of the Western people.
al Westeam Nan" says: I" Considerable merit is
claimed for Col. Gwynn, for having, as is alleged by
the Standard, borrowed money ($s0O0) on his own
personal credit to complete the Western Survey. l
understand the fact to be- that instead of advancing
the money himself he only induced the friends of the
measure along the route, to whom he contracted IL
abilities, to wait for their pay until an approprla-
ton could be made by the State which was done IN
due time, and Col. Gwynn thus saved harmless. -
What we stated was, that Col. Gwynn, after the ap
preparation of $12, 900 was exhausted, made himself
personally responsible for the amount necessary to
complete the survey; and that but for this, the sur
vey would not have been completed, and the charter
granted, with appropriation of $S00,OOO by the
last Legislature We gave the facts precisely as
they were. We remember we'll that Col Gwynn
applied to the Literary Board to borrow the neces-
sary amount; that, failing in this application, he did
not despond but announced his purpose to seek loan
in some other quarter; and we learn that he sue
ceeded in obtaining the money or portion of 1T,
from the State Bank. But the following Message
from Gov Reid to the last Legislature is conclusive
the subject
ITO the Honorable the General assembly
of the State Of North Carolina:
1 herewith transmit the Report of Col. Walter
Gwynn Chief Engineer of the Survey of the North
Carolina and Western Railroad Route.
The Engineer found the appropriation insufficient
to complete the Survey, and had therefore to sup
the work without being finished. He pursued the
former course, and l recommend that the General
Assembly refund to him the amount thus expended.
DAVID S. REID.
EXECUTIVE DEPAETMENT,
Raleigh, December 5, 1854
The General Assembly did refund the amount
in accordance with the recommendation of Gov.
Reid.
We referred to this, certainly not with the view
of setting up any claim in behalf of Col. Gwynn on
the Western Railroad Company, but to show the
deep interest evinced by him in the success of the
Western extension. 1t is thing to talk, but
quite another to give such practical evidence of de-
voton to internal improvements.
We forbear further remarks this subject The
Directors will meet tomorrow in Salisbury. They
are gentlemen in whom the friends of the work
and the people of the STATE generally may repose
Gill