Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-12-24

cases? We leave the question for the consideration
of legal reformers, in the hope that nothing may be
done rashly having tendency to take away any
wel-established and approved safeguards of law.
REPORTED FOR THE STANDARD
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT MEETINGS.
The friends of Internal Improvement assembled
in the Commons Hall, on Wednesday evening, the
18th inst.
Mr. R. Gorrel of Guilford, being called to the
chair, explained the objects of the meeting.
Governor Morehead addressed the meeting, and
advocated general system of State improvements,
which would richly repay every outlay. lie par
ticularly dwelt on the advantages to be derived
from an extension of the North Carolina railroad to
Beaufort also connection from the N. c. railroad
to Danville in Virginia. He stated his large invest
ments in our great State railroad would prevent him
urging anything to its injury, and argued at length
in favor of these projects necessary to the delop
ment our State resources agricultural and mineral
Mr. Banks also addressed the meeting and made
an able and feeling appeal in favor Of Fayetteville
and the projected Western railroad from thence to
the coal. fields.
After some remarks from Mr.. Haughton the
meeting adjourned until the following evening
The friends of Internal improvements reassem-
blcd in the Commons Hall on Thursday evening, the
18th inst Mr.. r. Go.rell in the chair
Mr. Haushton called for, and addressed the
meeting He considered it pleasure and privi-
lege to address that meeting subject Of such i'm
portancc the development of the resources of the
Deep river valley. \ bill being introduced asking
for further aid effect that object, it will be asked
is the work proposed practicable? if he proved it
was So he expected the cooperation of the Lessia
ture No man, however hostile to the work, could
now doubt its practicability; six years trial had
proved it. He knew that the contrary had been as.
serted, but the fact is that but dam had broken
and that had occurred before the work had settled
1t was reported Cross creek Gam had been carried
away; this mistake One of the heaviest fresh
cts the work had ever sustained, merely cut round
the DAM this had been repaired, since which time
it has been we'll tried and exper. ence thus demon
strates the practcabity of the plan proposed. Mr..
II. infinitely pointed out the superior advantages Of
Deep river over the Lehigh navigation yet the lat
ter had proved most successful He rebutted the
objections made against the works. Want of expe-
rience in the beginning had caused some errors be-
sides those accidents on rivers which no prudence
or foresight could avoid. The directors used every
exertion and had honestly applied the money ell
trusted to them to the best advantage. The great
error lay in asking too little. For two years, the
work languished for want of means, but now it was
in navigable order from Fayetteville to Lockvc,
ten miles from the nearest coal-tied, and but little
remained to be done to form the connection between
Wilmington and the coa-felds. Experience had
shown that some of the locks improperly 10.
Gated. The engineer, MIR. Douglas, proposed to
build four new locks of stone, and strengthen the
old works, all Of which DC done without sus.
pending the navigation. The State had invested
100000, which would be totally lost, if the works
were allowed to go down. lie would not throw out
any insinuation against rival works there would
eventually be work both for river and railroad, but
if choice to be made, he had no hesitation in
saying the State ought to prefer the river, as the
best and cheapest mode of transportation. He had
no intention to dictate to the Legislature but was
only anxious to show that Deep river worthy OF
their attention.
Other works had received generous assistance
from the State, the n. g. railroad the Wilmington,
the Raleigh and Castor railroads.&c. of which had
exceeded the original estimates in money and time
Having proved the practicabity of the work, Mr.. II
proceeded to show that it would pay. The Lehigh
navigation cost eleven Millions pays - per cent,
the Schuylkll canal cost thirteen millions, the Read
ing railroad cost twenty-five millions, all devoted to
the carrying of coal and all paying large dividends
to the stockholders lie had no fears of the result
of Major Gwynn's report Mr.. Douglass who is IL,
the head of his profession, says that it is the best
slack water navigation he saw. There is lie
doubt but it will pay better per centagc than any
other public work in North Carolina. Mr.. IL. read
a letter from Mr.. DUNCAN, of Philadelphia, Prcs
dent of the company working the mines of Egypt
Chatham Co., whose experience, sagacity and high
character, are beyond question lie stated from the
single shaft at present at work. he could ship 200,
900 tons annually, and was ready to expend 500,
900 in improvements, if they could get an outlet fol
their coal to the northern markets.
Mr.. H. entered into calculations to show at &c
cents per ton. a revenue of 100000 would accrue
but taking it at 1920 900 it would pay IL per cent
interest on million for coal alone, while the trans
portation of agricultural produce would pay the cur
rent expenses. lie supported this statement by ex.
tracts from Senator Cameron's speech in 1876, and
from the statistics of the Pennsylvania coal regions
The development of our mineral resources would
change the balance Of trade; taking exports al
one half of those Of Pennsylvania, it would in few
years leave heavy balance in our favor against the
North. Allowing that the work did not pay any
dividend, the profit the exchange in our favor,
would more than pay the expense incurred. He in.
dulged in no visionary schemes; these were facts
that would defy contradiction. He had strong hopes
they would deserve and receive the attention and
liberal patronage of the Legislature. In case of a
great crisis such as the dissolution Of the Union, il
It should ever occur it would demand the exertons
of every man to developc the ofour State
The late Savannah Convention has called upon
every southern State to bring forth her mineral re.
sources, and thus bccone independent OF the North
He hoped he had succeeded III convincing them oil
the practicabilty and profit OF the proposed ln-
provement; if any have doubts let them examine the
works, that vii! satisfy the most incredalous. The
work not for the benefit of individuals, but OF
the entire State, and would produce advantages OF
which we never would dream ofthe extent. Thank
ing them for their attention to his endeavor to point