Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-01-26

cash. and the other half applied to our Custom House
Bonds, went into operation on the 18th inst, at
which time arrangements were made by the South
Carolina Rail Road Co. for double daily service.
This arrangement it is believed will increase largely
the through travel the present year. as we'll as adj
much to our receipts the way travel, as by the
day train passengers and their families can 60 over
the road in daylight which heretofore they could not
and from the unreasonable hours of night in which
one train passed through populous communities we
deprived of considerable revenue from this item
By this arrangement double daily mail connec-
tion is made from New York TO Atlanta, Geo over
your road, and single train through to Montgomery
Ala, daily.
AS has been previously stated the trains did not
the Pee Dee Bridge till the 9th Oct last, since
which time they have been running regularly over it..
With the cast Iron Piles foundations, the Board
and the company have every reason to be fully salts
fed, and can proudly congratulate themselves that
Notwithstanding so many difficulties they have been
the first the continent to adopt this admirable sys
tenn of bridging such streams.
The contracts for stone abutments at each end OF
the Bridge is progressing under reliable con-
tractors and as to this whole work the Board beg to
call your attention to the report of Col. Gwynn.
For the manner in which the contract with the
South Carolina Railroad Company. reported to you
at your last meeting, is progressing IN the Wateree
Swamp you referred to the report of the Super
intendent. This, when completed will add much to
the strength and certainty of that portion of the road
and its completion is urged by us with all possible
despatch
With this work finished, and trestle work filled
in, force for which, with dirt traln are provided
this year. the comfort and certainty of trains will
be enhanced the speed increased at least hours and
its safety equally preserved 1t is source OF great
congratulaon that thus far in the whole operations
of the road loss of life TO passenger has occur
red from accidents our road and but one serious
accident to any individual, in which latter instance
the party injured being considered in the wrong by
being out of his place and on the platform while the
train in motion. At the last session OF the le-
gisature of South Carolina act was passed. on the
application of the Board, under the directions OF the
Stockholders, at their last meeting in Sumterve, S.
c., amending our charter so as to equafze the votes
of the stockholders in the two States, (gvng each
share one vote An authenticated copy of the act
is herewith submitted, together with resolution of
the Legislature appointing proxies to represent the
State on her stock held in this Company. Your at
tenton is also directed of the Legislature OF
North Carolina passed in the session of 1852 and 53
amending the charter of this Company so as to au-
thorize the Governor of the State to appoint di-
rector, provided the stockholders would accept the
amendment. Under that power, His Excellency, the
late Governor Reid, appointed director at your las
annual meeting, which was declined by the stockhol
ders upon the ground that legal authority existed
for such appointn eDt At that time the attention o.
the members not called to the act of the Leg sla
ture referred 10. Upon communicating the proceed
ngs to Governor Reid the attention of the under
signed was called 10 the act, of which none of the
Board seemed 10 be aware it was passed without
the knowledge or consent so far as is known, OF any
officer of the Company. No notice of the rejection
of the amendment was ever ven to the Governor
and he assumed it had been accepted, for which
son he made the appointment.
1t is proper that the stockholders should take
some definite action the subject, that all future
doubts may be ended in one way or the other
l To the interesting report of the Superintendent
with n fol of
the Wateree and Hamburg Railroad leading from
/ Kingsville to Augusta Ga, commenced under tn,
direction of the Stockholders at their last meeting
you are respectfully referred, full report has no
yet been made by the party the survey but eno' 81
can be gathered from the present report, to enah!s
you to take such action you would, provided ths
whole were before you. That it would be desrab,
to the lines of Railroad on the Atlantic route west O
Augusta, and east of Kingsvle, to secure this route
so as 10 shorten the dstsnce and enable them to en-
Ter into successful competition with rival routes here
after to be finished, for the great through mail ant
travel is an additional fact.
TO that portion of the line living betwixt Kingsvilt
and Weldon, embracing your Road and the Whining
ton and Raleigh Road, it becomes matter of grea
importance, when taken in connection with the fac
of the interest for another enterprise, which woulC
enable other companies into the race of com
petition. These two companies have struggled al
ready hard to build their respective Roads. The
muntes along the line have contributed their share
OF means and energy. Yet neither OF these IS ex
hausted, and in their trying experience to better hei
condition, they have learned too much the value O
selfrelance and manly energy, be deferred from
undertaking likely 10 improve what they have al
ready accomplished if it should be to their interes
to undertake it. Late unhappy controversies have
already threatened them, portion of them will
the withdrawal of the great mail. Rival routes ar
sprnging up and being pressed forward, looking con
fdently to a successful competition for the throug
mail and travel, and be too supine now, when the
have a favorable charter, six months Of which
is yet to for them subscribe the necessary stool
to form the Company, by which they gain thre
!, years time to go to work, may be tina
would, perhaps, prove injurious to their prosperity
The matter however is submitted to you with tn
assurance that you sufficiently alive to the impor
lance of the subject TO give your patient consdera
ton and calm judgements.
In conclusion, gentlemen, | take leave of you, of
cially, TO join you at your first meeting after The
completion of the enterprise you have so long AM
faithfully cherished, and to mngle in congratulation
with you, that you have many cheering causes O
satisfaction for lis success and prosperity
All of W hich is respectfully submitted
w. w. HARLLEE, President.
OFFICE OF THE VIII. & MAN R. R. Co.
Wilmington N. c., 22d jan, 1855. (
To the Stockholders of the
| Wilmington g. Manchester z r Co: