The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-02-16
From the Charleston Standard.
Internal improvements OF North


inst, and from our geographical ana commercial
relations to that State, il might be proper 10 ex-
anime Its course Of recent leg islaton, with view
TO its Ultimate effects upon our interests. It's
fact, 10 the perception OF which we slowly come,
but not the less fact, that natural relations are
greatly superseding The influence of mere polIiI.
cal restrictions, and whatever may be the seDlI-
menl and temper of our sister State, there IS, IN
truth, u sIsterhood between US which must contin-
ne to assert Its claims, and which establishes an
identity Of interest between that legislation can
not ignore contradict without wrong, and
which gives therefore in the political action OF
that Stale, an interest scarcely less immediate
than in the action of our own.
In the aspect Of influence upon our mutual in.
terests, the rceen: Legislature OF North Carolina
has been particularly important, and although The
assembly has not yet adjourned, ihere are many
measures Of internal Improvement already deci-
ded on, which indicate the policy of that State
with sufficient certainty 10 render Them the proper
subject of remark.
The first to which would refer is intended
to secure the complexion Of he North Carolina
Railroad, which, communicating with the Char
lotte and South Carolina Railroad, extends by
Salisbury and Greensboro to Raleigh, and thence
to dsborough, en- the Wilmington and Roa-
noke road, distance of 22O miles. The road
originally chartered in lS4S, with capital
of three millions dollars-two millions to be ia.
ken by the State on condition that one million
should be taken by private individuals. This
capital was taken up and expended, and the road
for the entire route, has been graded, eighty
miles upon the Eastern and forty. miles upon the
Western terminus have been completed, and are
now in active operation, but for the completion OF
the balance there was no proVsio n. The capital
already subscribed was insufficient, individual en-
terprise not willing to increase it. aud under
these circumstances The old State has stepped for.
ward with commendabe magnanmily, and put
her shoulder TO the wheel on which it is to be
rolled forward. She takes another million Of
stock, with the condition only that it shall be pre-
ferred, and with this sum it is thought the CON-
petion Of the road is placed beyond question.
So much OF the road as has been completed is laid
with the heaviest I IRON it passes through
high and cultivated country, it is beyond the con.
tingencifs of .resle work, and will afford, when
completed, fine channel for the products of the
region to Wilmington and Charleston, the
or the other may exercise the most attractive in.
fuence.
Not to let the question rest however, as a mat
ter of competition between Charleston and Will
mington, the Legislature has granted the charter
for another road from Goldsborough, at the east
ern terminus of The North Carolina Railroad, to
Beaufort, with the capital stock of one million and
half Of dollars, with provision in favor OF lis
comp letion to the effect that third of the stock
being taken by individuals, the State will take
the balance, and proceed at TO the work Of
its construction Thus equipped and fortified
against competition upon the eastern extremity OF
the State, charter for a western extension is also
| given to the North Carolina road, commencing at
the town of Salisbury, and extending TO Asheville
| in The county oil BuncOmbe. And 10 secure the
| completion of this road, the State not only con.
tributes two thirds OF the capital necessary but
| also permits it 10 be taken in sections of twenty
l Hya n1iln oh and &c bo 49,
importance Of this branch, that these RESPONSE
biIities have been assumed, in view OF the posi-
| bility that the road may cost between seven and
eight millions Of dollars. This will complete the
| connection between the mountains and sea board
! Of that State, and compromising the products OF
every variety of latitude found within her limits,
will pour them upon seaporls which it is her pur-
! pose to build up.
| Anticipating the possibility that even connec.
tons thus to be established, may still be INSULT
Gent to counteract the attractive influence of
Charleston, upon the commerce of that State. there
is a charter also granted for a road from Char.
otte direct to Wilmington, and with an extension
beyond Charlotte to Rutherfordton, in that State,
skiring thus its southern border from the noun.
tain again to the seaboard, and passing through
! The towns of 1.noolnton, Charlotte, Monroe
| Wadesborough, Rockingham, and Lumberton. to
| Wilmington. The charter of this road requires
I
pended. and that twenty-fv miles at The Eastern
end shall be completed, when the State may be
called upon to endorse the bonds of the Company
to any extent that may be necessary to its final
completion, which ii is supposed may cost about
TWO millions five hundred thousand dollars and
20 make assurance doubly sure, bill has passed
| the Senate and its second reading in the House,
| cbarering a road from the town Of Greensboro,
| by way Of he coalfeds, through the town of Fay
| ettevle 10 Beaufort, called the Greensboro and
| Beaufort Road. The State endorses the bonds OF
the company to the amount OF ST. 900 per mile.
! Our estimable neighbor, however, as well 10
what she has done in what she has failed 10 do,
| has indicated, much as possible, her determi-
| nation to restrict within the limits of the State the
| benefits Of all improvements, and accordingly,
| hough a charter Tor road connecting Green's
boro' and Danvi!Ie, in Virginia, and shortening
thus the distance between Charlotte and the North
| was proposed, II was not adopted.
A bill proposing to charter n road to connect
the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad with
Greensboro, crossing the Watauga Gap, in.
troduced, but for the reason, doubtless, that II
would encourage unbecoming intercourse between
the western counties and those outlets to other
markets, it will not meet the appreciation of the
Legislature at least during its present session.
A bill was also introduced, with The certainty oil
The same fate, to charter a road called the Deep
River and Yadkin Road, TO pass along the North.
ern border of the State.
Some little relaxation Of this stringent feeling
OF reserve was INDUCED in the case Of the French
| BROAD road eyrep0ino from, thu Rut+ Moup,.;o fr