Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-03-07
REMARKS OF Mr.. THOMAS,


third reading, and subsequently, ,pon the French
Broad charter, If IN sde to rcceae the ertehsion,
AZ calculated to delay its Construction.
Mr.. SPEAkER: The very decided vote the Bill for
the extension Of the North Carolina Railroad west
from Salisbury received it's second reading, seem
ed calculated prevent any further effort to change
the loc&tion from west to North, but the same ef-
forts are now made to rfsct that object the third
asswere made on the second reading. While have
been the advocate for the extension of main trunk
limo Of Railway from the Atlantic seaboard to the
valley of the Mississippi in the direction OF Chatta-
nooga, from the time / entered the Senate in lS4T,
have conceded at ali times, that in case the North
Carolina road extended west, a branch would
become necessary to connect it with the Virginia
and Tennessee road to accommodate the local freight
and travel The success of the former will con-
sequence lead to the accomplishment of the latter i;
but the effect would be different if the branch WAS
constructed first. This is probably as favorable
time could be selected to effect the extension OF
the North Carolina Railroad east and west and to
complete the portion that remains unfinished, as ev-
er existed in this State. 1t is probably the first time
since the Railroad system commenced that SO much
harmony existed upon the subject OF Internal I'M
provementS between the two great political parties
into which the State is equally divided. Prior to
1913 the contest between the parties meaSuraby
respecting iupractcable schemes badly located, so
far accommodating the trade of the State was con-
eerned and for want of connections with other KAN
roads, proved for the time unsuccessful; and as
consequence the people of the State became dScour-
aged and disnciined to engage in new schemes OF
improvement. The probability is, that neither par
ty entitled to much praise for the course purSu
ed with regard to the first improvements One PAL
ty claimed the credit of having originated them and
hence became their advocates. The other party OPP
posed them at the commencement and predicted their
failure. Hence it became the policy of the Wing
party defend and of the Democratic party to OPP
pose these of internal improvements, which
lead to the conclusion that the former were the
friends and the latter the enemies of internal I'M
provemcnts.
1t was certainly not from any principle which be-
fonged to the creed of the Democratic party. who
taim to be the promoters of the greatest good to the
greatest number, with strict justice to the minority
and to believe in the doctrine of State sovereignty
and that all rights reserved to the State not dele
gael by the Constitution to the general government
who deny the power of the general government to
engage in any works of internal improvement, not
strictly national consequently the power was not
agreeable to their construction delegated to Con-
grcss it was reserved the States 1t would be alb
Surd to assume that neither had the power to I'M
prove the State And upon this question of the right
of State to authorize improvements, the highest
authority Is furnished, dating back prior to the rev.
olution. At that period canals and improvement of
the rivers looked to the only means Of cheap
enins the cost of transportation to benefit the peo-
pie Gen. Washington, the father of his country,
the protector of the James river and hanawha
Canal and vas the first President If the Company
authorized to construct that great work. That and
other works of internal improvements in Virginia
received the support of nearly all the great that
dent Washington but also Presidents J,t!trscn, Ma
olson, Monroe and Tyler. And the right of the
States construct works of internal Improvement
has been recognized by every President from Gen
eTal Washington down to Gen. Pierce, who adhercs
to as strict construction of the Constitution
held by Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson
and Polk and yet he admits in his message the right
Of the States to build up internal improvements and
to tax tonnage pay for their construction And |
as there is nothing in the principles of the Demo-
cratic party opposed to carrying out liberal system
Of internal improvement by the States, ought it
aot to be commenced at the present session: 1t is
laid by the opponents of the system that works of
improvement should be left to individual
enterprise and that private capital will be found to
Duild them up when commercial wants demand them.
This may be true in States that have large cities,
whose credit corporations supply the place Of
State credit To accomplish the improvements from
he Atlantic to the Allegheny range of mountains
fer a connection has been formed with the Missis-
ipri valley, to act feeder and to stimulate the
improvements on the Atlantic slope. But mt the
anne time such plan is totally inapplicable to the
ondtion of North Carolina she has no large
lrrcia cities whose credit supply that of the
tate; and where is the State the Atlantic that
yer connected her improvements with the valley of
he Mississippi by individual enterprise? Not one.
has in every instance required State aid to
he Blue Ridge and Allegheny range of mountains,
Tithout single exception. What right, therefore,
ave you to expect that individuals in North Caro-
m accomplish, without the aid of cities, what
ther States failed to accomplish with them? And
csides is fair that the burthen of constructing
improvements that to benefit the whole State
hould fall on, comparatively speaking, a few ind-
luals? When internal improvements depend upon
nat system, those to be benefited will do least
experience has shown, with few exceptions, in
very plan that has been tried Go to the man of !
loderate means, ask him to give the right of way
railway across his land and to subscribe stock to
he extent of his means, and he will do both Go +
} his more wealthy and misery neghbor, ask him j =,
grant the right Of way and to subscribe stock, +
nd he will very probably tell you that you have
lie right of way if you will pay the land damages,
ut he has his money invested in Bank stock, T.
I'd has none therefore to invest in Railroads. The !
IAN of State aid compels such men to contribute /
leir part to make improvements, to benefit them /
lives and the State So that those most to be benc-
ted by internal Improvement have most land to be
creased in value, most by cheapening the cost
transportation articles of production and con-
lmption, instead of holding back to obtain these
netits by the iberaty of Others forced by the
king power to contribute their share to carry on
stem of internal improvement, which they are I I
Try apt to abuse proiigate and ruinous to the I
,ople-aways ready to favor any politician of any c
.rty who will pledge himself to oppose State inn
+ il
This influence and the condition of the political +
rites tended to retard internal improvements in Il
is State for many years. In 1848, however, more
,eral spirit pre- vailed in the councils of the State
revision made for rebuilding the old Raleigh /
I'd CASTOR Railroad, and also the Wilmington and | r
alegh, and to lay them with heavy iron. And also f
bill passed granting charter and authorizing the
instruction of Railway from Godsborough west ! q
Salisbury, and thence south to Charlotte and the
ate was required to subscribe two millions of the II
ock, besides aiding in other works of internal i'm