Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-10
REMARKS OF MR.. EATON.


go -H.S WARREN, -s-z.s--s =
Delivered in the Senate Of North Carolina, the
bill for extending the North Carolina RAILROAD
! from Goldsborough to Beautortss
Mr.. SPEAKER: have heretofore been entirely 81
lent upon the subject of internal improvement and
may to extent have been subject to misconcep-
ton if not to odium. Justice to myself and my
sttuents forbids me to be silent any longer. am in
favor of the bill before the Senate. 1t has been
stated that the harbor at Beaufort is the best the
whole Atlantic coast of the United States, witk the
exception ofthat ofNew York. do not know whether
this statement is entirely correct or not. have
doubt, however, that it is an excellent harbor with
fine inlet This seems to be the opinion of every
intelligent individual who has visited the spot
1t is certainly desirable then, to connect this North
Carolina port with great line of railway from the
east to the west. The proposed connection will
cause more produce to be shipped from ports of
own, and thus lead to correct views abroad in
relation to the wealth of the State. This alone will
be calculated to crafty our pride and advance
interests. 1t will afford facilities of transportation
to the people of several countless and it will Also
l hope, be the means of building up town of some
importance at the eastern terminus of the road.
do not expect that splendid city is to spring up at
Beaufort, if by the hand of enchantnent; but it
is not extravagant to anticipate popuous and thriv-
ing town there, which may perhaps compare with
Wilmington. The eastern extension will be strong
pillar of support to the North Carolina Railroad in
creasing its usefulness to the people, and adding to
the value of our large investment in its stock. l
not disposed to attach undue Importance to the
opinions of others, however distinguished ; but l
confess that the opinions of many of the greatest
men that the State has produced, in favor of this
work, have had their weight with me. l forbear to
dwell on the merits of this bill. l hope that the
Senate will indulge me with few remarks in refer
erence to my course, and that of my county, con-
corning internal improvements. 1t has been said in
private circles, and even in the public press that
Warren county has been illiberal and ungratefu to
the west that western members voted In favor OF
aid to the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad, and that
Warren county has not been ready to do justice to
that section of the State. They who make this
charge probably labor under some msconceptlon
upon the subject, and not fully and accurately
informed as to the facts. In 1913, when the North
Carolina Railroad bill was in most critical situa-
tion and its fate exceedingly doubtful, Warren
county forward to its help, and gave it all of
her votes in the Senate and the House of Commons
and whatever of influence her members could conf
mand. l was not then a member of the Legislature
but member of the House of Commons from the
county of Warren at most critical stage of the
BILL addressed letter. asking my views upon
the subject. wrote to him Immediately i'll reply,
taking strong grounds in favor of the bill, and advo-
eating it as act of justice to the west. In 1850,
| was q candidate for the House of Commons. and
during my canvass, defended in my public addresses
this great measure OF State policy anG have al
ways been its warm and ardent friend. One of its
highest recommendations with me, its evident
tendency to develop the resources, increase the
wealth, and advance the prosperity OF many of our
finest western counties. During the present session
| have been willing, as | have often stated i'll con-
versaton with several members of the Senate, to
provide by law for the construction of the rst Sec
tion or section and half of the western extension
the State contributing two-thirds of the capital ne
cessary for that purpose; leaving it to future Legis
atures to complete the work to the Tennessee Jinc
if it shall be found expedient and within the means
of the State to do. With all Difference for the
views of large majority of the Senate, including
of its ablest, most experienced and most emf
nent members am of opinion that the bill which
has already passed the Senate concerning the west
extension involves an expenditure too heavy to
be sanctioned by prudence in the present condition
of finances. The eastern extension, and the
first section or section and half of the western
tension, all which, in my Judgment ought to be
attempted in the way of railroads at the present
time, after approprating another million of dollars
for the completion of that noble work, the North
Carolina Railroad.
Rome was not built in day. We cannot do
everything at once in the way of internal improve
ment, but ought to proceed to improve the State
gradually, and with an eye to prudence and econ
omy, if mean to avoid burdensome taxation, and
an amount of debt beyond our means. There are,
doubtless other schemes of improvement now be-
fore the General Assembly, which at another time,
and under different circumstances, may deserve the
favorable consideration of the Legislature. Ny con-
vctions against the policy OF large State debt are
decided and strong, and those convictions have COM
PEELED to vote against many bills concerning in
ternal nprovcm during the present session. In
selecting the schemes of improvement most worthy
of encouragement now, have turned to the map of
the State in the spirit Of North Carolina patriot
without being miSled by local interests feelings
and have given the preference to those works which
appeared to me be of the greatest general utility,
and which seemed to have the strongest marks of
public appreciation in their favor. | should have
been glad if some scheme could have been adopted,
appropriating near about the amount of money
in the east and west
In conclusion will remark, that the bill for the
construction of railroad from Godsborough to Beau
fort harbor, for which l am about to cast my vote,
is in no point of view calculated to advance the
mere local interests of my county.
COLTON'S ATLAS
Of the Horzd illustrating physical and political
Geography, &c.
We have had occasion to mention this publication
before, and again take pleasure in bringing it
before the attention of the public,