Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-12-20

they frankly and confidently assured the members
of pas Legislatures that the aid asked for would be
sufficient. = - 80 49,. ssszg i
As to the practicability Of the work, win mere.
y suggest that there's no mystery 10 constructing
dam across the Deep or Cape Fear rivers: Every
one knows that our farmers have been in the habit
every where the country of constructing dams,
&C. for purposes of milling; and that the dams
structed at . limited cost, and in very rude way
er baseare sufficient to Withstand any freshets fire.
quently for more than third Of century. The
difficulty this work has not been that we failed
in having sufficient engineering force; but that
the controlling influence, heretofore in the stock
holders meetings, an idea inculcated by the neigh
bors of the Journal, supposed that to effect any
thing it was necessary to have Northern engineer
at the highest compensation. with large corps of
assistants, to whom the entire management of every
thing was SO implicitly surrendered. And in case of
failure we could then console ourselves with the
Election that the engineer was responsible Among
the best if not the very best work. which has been
done on the river is that the contract of Mr..
Leach at Farish's Fish Traps The plan was given
by the engineer, and after this employed practi-
cal mechanic Of character, at moderate COST to
main on the work continually and see that every
thing was faithfully done. Let me not be misun-
derstood. would have an engineer to give the
plans, the height, base, &C., of the DAMS &C., and
give bis whoLe time to the various interests of the
work, and then employ competent and faithful prac.
teal mechanics who should supcrintend its con-
struction. I assure the Journal it is easy to get
these in North Carolina.
1t has been confidently stated here since the COM
mencement of this Legislature, that the efforts of the
company to improve the navigation were again fail
ure-that all the work heretofore done would have
to be taken out, and the work commenced anew
and one gentleman, on public OCCASION was un-
derstood to say that the work could be
plshed.
am truly gratiied that the Senate has passed
resolution to send Maj. Gwynn to examine the state
of things on the river, and report,-a resolution
sincerely trust, which will be concurred in by the
House of Commons The efforts of the Company,
for the last two years. to accomplish the work, have
not been failure, are told There is at pres
ent navigation from Jones Mills, on Deep river,
to Fayetteville, and the work is nearly completed
from that point to the coal fields with the exception
of the Stone Lock- which is in process of censtruc-
ton and it is believed that the means yet remain
ing in the possession of the Company will complete
very nearly complete, the to the heart Of the
coal fields. But here we may be asked, if this be
so, where is the necessity of new appropriation
Permit me to explain.
From Hancock's Mills, on Deep River, which is
the highest point to which it is proposed to improve
the river to the foot of SMILES falls which is about
20 or 25 miles above Fayetteville, the character of
the chanel and banks of the river is hard and rocky
So far, the dams which put in years ago. stand
and it is admitted there is difficulty in their per-
manency. Below this point, we find, ordinarily, a
soft sandstone rock, where, the work was orgu-
nally designed the base of the dams and locks were
not sufficiently broad, and where, also, no back
slopes were run up in the dams. they were frat
constructed. Another fact too, will MENTION that
the young who run the levels, made an error of
several feet which rendered to raise these
dams much higher-the consequence is, that
though We have navigation now, yet it is appre
led hat ks Rod and
Silver Run, must be put in anew, essentially
altered, to have permanent and secure navigation
And it is deemed best to have stone cemented locks
and probably to build four locks and dams in the place
of the three now built. Another fact it is we'll to
mention. At the time the mortgage was executed
to the State in the spring of 1885, there out
standing debt against the Company of about $780,
O0O due to various persons for labor materials &c.
A number of these creditors have sued the Com
pany, have got judgments against it, and unless
some provision is made by the present Legislature,
the entire work must be sold, under these execu-
TONS and pass into the hands and control of another
Company to the sacrifice of the States subscription
and stockholders, &C., &c. hope it is not neces-
sary that should join with the Journal in deplor
ing this result. l desire not to be understood
making any attack on Northern men. 1t is my
wish, on every OCCASION to treat them with due
courtesy and respect. 1 am pleased to them in
vest among us; rejoice, however, that North Car
DINA can hold out inducements to capital to seek
investments here. But what would be thought, per-
nit me to ask, of the attempt of company Of South
gentlemen to take out of the hands of the State
of Pennsylvania the control Of the roadside outlet
of the mineral wealth-on the ground that COM
pany of which the State formed part, and an equal
part, had expended half million of dollars, al.
lodged here, Intellectually to construct said roads {?
IT. sirs this river passes into the hands of North
ern Company, its Office will be in some northern
city, and our river be much northern river as
the Connecticut will not pursue this subject fur
Their. doubt not that there are other considera-
tons in this connection, which will readily suggest
themselves the representatives of the people, to
which they will not be Indifferent
Very respectfully,
ALEX. HUTCHINSON,
Pres't G. F. d. R. Nav. Co.
From, tho Croanshoro Times