Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-27
SPEECH OF MIR. FONYILLE.

III OF. ONSLOW.
Dezinersd IN the Senate, January 81 1885, on me
sBilLsto improve the navigation Of Ne0 RI0er
in OnsZoso COUNTY,.
Mr. Fonvle arose and said, that he having intro
duccd this BILL and knowing that it was of some
moment to the people whom he represented, should
ask the indulgence of the Senate, whilst he endeaV-
ored to show them that this at least an appro-
pration, loan rather, which one, be his views
what they may, could refuse to grant. He stated
that he had been member of the Legislature for
three sessions that during that time he had but
seldom trespassed upon the patience of the House
or Senate and had never before asked anything for
his people. He hoped, therefore, that the Senate
would give him their attention, whilst he endeavored
in few crude remarks to state to them the substance
of the bill now under consideration lie felt, how
ever, some difdence in appearing before that body
in the light of adViSer-he had heretofore remain
ed SILENT and left to older and more experienced
Senators to occupy that position and he should do
so if the immediate interests of his constituents
not involved in the bill before the Senate He
hoped, therefore, that this would be sufficient
apology, if any was necessary. This bill proposes
to raise a stock company, with capital stock Of
thirty thousand dollars, for the purpose of cleaning
out shoals in New River, between Snccds Ferry and
its mouth, where these shoals HAD collected he sup
posed during the flood, and thereby render navga
bic one of the finest streams in the State lie said
he did not desire the State to depart from her cstab
shed rule, and take more than two-thirds he did
not wish to say anything against the other schemes
now before the legislature, but one thing he could
say that this appropriation would necessarily pay
dividend upon the amount invested Whether the
object sought to be accomplished by the bill should
be realized or not he hazardcd nothing in making
this statement to Scnators-he knew the river, he
knew the quantity of naval stores and other articles
which must necessarily go out of the River, and
which, if moderately taxed, would not only pay six
per cent on the capital stock but in less than
years pay off the principal slm. What then, said
he, can be the objection Of Senators this appro-
priaon? He could none it true, that it's ben
efits were confined principally, if not altogether TO
the people of the County Of Onslow but he hoped
after the liberal spirit her representatives had shown
towards internal improvements in other portions Of
and being prepared to vote for the Eastern extension
and all other works which tend to advance the honor
and prosperity of North Carolina, that Senator's
would be willing to do something for his people,
pccialy when in so doing they risk Of losing
in behalf Of the State lie mad voted against but
one Railroad bill, that vote given upon the hon
est conviction that the road would initiate against
the best interest of his constituents entertaining that
view he compelled to vote against it. He had
thus endeavorcd to explain to the Senate this bill.
lie had also stated his position upon internal i'm
provementS, position which he should occupy and
maintain, believing he did that was the course
best calculated to develope the resources, advance
the interest and place North Carolina where she de-
to stand, foremost in the rank OF States These
were his views he thought they were correct. He
hoped Senators woui pass this BILL as it was case
in which by possibility could the State be loser,
and it measure which would materially add
to the prosperity and happiness Of the people Of
OnslOw