Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-02-14
REMARKS OF Mr.. EATON.
OF WARREN

n,
OF WARREN,
Delivered in the Senate of North Carolina, on the
bill for attending the North Carolina Railroad
from Goldsborough to Beaufort.
Mr.. SPEAKER: I have heretofore been entirely ST.
lent upon the subject of internal improvement, and
may to some extent have been subject to misconcep
ton if not to odium. Justice to myself and my con-
stituents forbids me to be silent any longer am in
favor of the bill now before the Senate. It has been
stated that the harbor at Beaufort the best on the
whole Atlantic coast of the United States, wtk the
exception ofthat ofNew York. do not know whether
this statement is entirely correct not. 1 have no
doubt, however, that it is 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 our 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 more correct views abroad in
relation to the wealth of the State This alone will
be calculated to crafty pride and advance our
interests. 1t will afford facilities of transportation
to the people of several countless and it will aso
hope, be the means of building up town of some
Importance at the eastern terminus of the road. I
do not expect that splendid city is to spring up at
Beaufort, as if by the hand of enchantment but it
is not e4ravagant to anticipate populous 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
the value of our large investment in its stock I
am 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. / forbear to
dwell on the merits of this bill. ] hope that the
Senate will indulge me with few remarks i'm refer
erence to my course, and that of my county, con-
cerning internal improvements. 1t has been said in
private circles, and even in the public press that
has hpan nd IL 10
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 misconception
upon the subject, and are not fully and accurately
informed as to the facts. In 1S4s when the North
Carolina Railroad bill was in most critical situa-
ton, and its fate exceedingly doubtful Warren
county came 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 COM
mand. was not then member of the Legislature.
but member of the House of Commons from the
county of Warren, at a most critical stage of the
BILL addressed me letter, asking my views upon
the subject. l wrote to him Immediately in reply,
taking strong grounds in favor of the bill and advo-
eating it an act of justice to the west In 1850,
was candidate for the House of Commons and
during my canvass defended in my public addresses
this great measure of State policy anc have al
ways been its warm and ardent friend One of its
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, ] have often stated in con-
versation with several members of the Senate, to
provide by law for the construction of the first
tion section and half of the western extension,
the State contributing two-thirds of the capital
cessary for that purpose; leaving it to future LegS
latures to complete the work to the Tennessee line,
if it shall be found expedient and within the means
of the State so to DO. With all Difference for the
views of q large majority of the Senate, including
some of its ablcst, most experienced and most emi
nent members am of opinion that the bill which
has already passed the Senate concerning the west
ern extension involves expenditure too heavy to
be sanctioned by prudence in the present condition
OF our finances. The eastern extension, and the
first section section and half of the western
tension, are 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 not built in day. We cannot do
everything at once in the way of internal improve
ment, but we ought to proceed to improve the State
gradually and with eye to prudence and econ
omy, if we mean to avoid burdcnsome taxation and
an amount Of debt beyond our means There arc,
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. My
vctions against the policy OF large State debt
decided and strong, and those convictions have COM
PEELED to vote against many bills concerning in
ternal improvements 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 to be of the greatest general utility
and which seemed to have the strongest marks Of
public appreciation in their favor. l should have
been glad if some scheme could have been adopted,
approprating near about the same amount of money
in the east and west
In conclusion, will remark that the bill for the
construction of railroad from Goldsborough to Beau
fort harbor, for which am about to cast my vote,
is in no point of view calculated to advance the
mere local interests Of my county.
COUNCIL OF STATE.
This body, which assembled in this City on Mon
day last, adjourned on Tuesday evening.
We learn that Calvin Graves, of Caswell, and N.
E. Canady, of Granville, were appointed members
of the Board of Internal improvements; and Mat
thew Shaw, of Beaufort, and Alfred Jones and Will
liam W. Holden, of Wake, members of the Literary
Board. The Governor of the State, it is known is
President &c oticiO of the two Boards and member
thereof
Mr.. Graves has been for some time . member of
the Internal Improvement Board; but Mr.. Canady
is new member, and takes the place occupied by
Mr.. Bragg, the present Governor. No change has
| loor IL - L.