Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-03-09
Letter from Mr.. Faison

We take pleasure, says the Raleigh Standard. in
publishing the following letter from Thomas |. Fal-
son. ESQ. the Senator from Sampson, in relation TO
the course he deemed it his duty to pursue in the
late Legislatures
To the Editors Of the Standard Without any de-
sire to become conspicuous-for it would have dis.
played want of judgment and proper sense OF pro-
priey in to have attempted to instruct or to enter
tain by any speeches could have made in the SEN
ate of North Carolina, composed it was on one
side of such men as Graham. Rayner, Gilmer, Haugh-
ton, Morisey, Ashe, Cherry, and Davis, and on the
other of such men as Biggs, Speaker Winsow Hoke,
Fisher Coleman, Boyd, Bower, Walker Graves, Will
der Mcdowell, Clark, and many others of high at
tainments-I therefore contented myself to raise my
voice only where the immediate interests of my
stituents were concerned; and now ask permission,
through your columns to make known to my
stituents the course pursued during the Legislature,
believing it to be the duty of representative at all
times TO render an account of his stewardship to his
constituents.
| | was not instructed by them to pursue any par
ticuar course but they expected | would vote for
Free Suffrage and two Democrats for the United
States Senate and in that expectation they have not
been disappointed.
! With regard to internal improvements, both wings
| and democrats have made it a common measure; and
as it was clearly indicated by the convention which
nominated Gov. Bragg for Governor, (and no doubt
secured him votes in the west) that party would
support internal improvements, which Gov. Bragg SO
patriotically recommended in his inaugural address,
felt it not only my duty member of the said con-
venton, but true North Carolinan, to cast my
for the eastern and western extension of the So
called Central Railroad-mOre especially the western
extension Believing it to be act of justice to our
western brethren to afford them all the facilities pos
sible 10 reach market with the products of their
soil, it would have been selfish in me- eastern
not TO have extended the hand of fellowship to
them. When contemplate the benefits derived
from liberal scheme of internal improvements, we
not only calculate the profits in dollars, but
member that social feelings Strengthened, the
mind expanded and information disseminated through
out the land.
Seeing that it was the fixed purpose of the Legisla-
ure 10 raise the taxes and that necessity required it,
| made up my mind that the people would be better
served, and there would be more equity in general
distribution of public favor | therefore supported
some side works-among them the Fayetteville and
Greensborough Road, to extend to Beaufort harbor
which would have run through Sampson county
used every exerton in my power, as you can testify
to procure the passage OF the bill but it most
violently assailed by the friends of the Central Road
and by eastern gentlemen, and was finally OutlaUed
and killed the third reading in the House of Com
mons. | think the opposition uncalled for. they
having obtained all they desired, and them under the
preext of being great economists placed their fingers
on the keyhole of the public chest. was chagrined
at first, but hope they will be generous here
after
| voted for the charter of the State and Cape
Fear Banks, for the Clarendon Band Fayetteville,
and for an increase of the stock in The Commercial
Bank, believing that the trade of Wilmington de-
manded it, that being our market town. also voted
for the Greensborough Bank there being incrsase
of trade at that point, and thought they needed
capital and besides owed debt of gratitude, which
was anxious to discharge, to the noble and gener
ous-hearted Gmer-this being avorite project
of his-for the hearty support he had given 10 ou1
project. And must not forget here to remark tina
| feel under many obligations to Gen. Bynum anC
MIR. Baxter for their able adVOcary of measure (the
r Fayetteville and Beaufort road) of such importance
: to my constituents and to the State at large.
, was conscientious in the votes gave. If erred
and know that | am not infallIble-t was an er
ror of the head and not of the heart.
AS shall soon be with my constituents, shall no
trouble you further
! Believe Truly Yours,
THOS. l. FAISON