Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-10-25
Western N. C. Railroad.

We have received pamphlet containing the pro-
ceedngs of the second annual meeting of the stock
holders in the above road with the reports of the
President and Chief Engineer. We are gratifed to
learn that the road is progressing rapidly. Con-
tracts for the graduation and masonry of about half
the line have been let, and the work is under way.
The Engineer estimates the whole cost of the road,
including equipage, &C., at less than $2,0o0,OOe.-
The whole length of the road, from Salisbury to
Morganton, is about II miles. We extract the fol-
lowing from the report of Mr.. Turner, the Chief
Engineer:
"The North Carolina Railroad is now completed,
and in direct communication with your own city of
Wilmington.
The Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad is rap
idly progressing towards completion; the safe and
secure harbor of Beaufort, one of the best on the
Atlantic coast, will soon be as accessible by land
it is now by water The Western N. G. r. Road,
now SO fairly begun, needs but your fostering care
to extend and connect it with the Tennessee Roads,
thus completing, far your State can, that i'm
porant link in the chain, which is at no distant day,
to unite the Pacific with the Atlantic Then will
North Carolina, no longer vassal to other States,
take that position among her sisters of the Union,
to which nature AID her Geographical position so
Justly entitle her. Then will it be known, that there
is an interior of North Carolina-an interior rich
and productive in both mineral and agricultural re-
sources Then Ylll 1t be known that TOR agrlcul-
tural purposes, not only your valleys, but your
mountains, are rich and productive to their very
SUBMITS That from these mountains the trickling
streamlets running through thousand Wales, from
as many crystal fountains, continue to flow, until
their accumulated waters roll into broad rivers, az
fording sufficient water power to drive all the man
featuring machines of New England. That these
mountains, possessing they do mineral waters in
great abundance, equalled by few, and excelled
by nonc for healhulness and salubrity of climate,
and surpassed by no country for beauty and variety
of picturesque scenery.
Construct and complete this Road, for in the same
proportion that you afford facilities for travel and
transportation in that proportion will it be increas-
ed and then will not only the invalid from the low
counties of and other States seek this health
restoring and reinvgorating atmosphere, but the de-
voice of gaiey and fashion, instead of going abroad,
may find more congenial resort in our own Caro-
lima. And then not only will the husbandman be
enabled to reap rich reward for his labors but the
pent up mineral treasures from your disemboweled
mountains will be moulded into usefulness, to fill the
Golfers of q generous, persevering and deserving
people.
Unjust again beg leave most respectfully, to urge
the necessity Of continuing the surveys beyond the
present point; we cannot know too much of the
country yet to be explored, for is one presenting
unusual and formidable difficulties. 1t will be the
most economical expenditure of money that your
Company can make; let US have ample time for
determining upon the succeeding portion of the
Road"