Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-20

read with interest:
OFFICE OF THE N. c. RA1LRoAD,(
Salisbury, May IL, 1867.
MEssRs. ED1ToRs: As it does not seem to be clear
ly understood by all interested, what the pre-
else nature of the application lately made to the
Post Master General by the authorities of the Char
lOtte & South. Carolina, the Raleigh & CASTOR, and
the North Carolina Rail- Dads, and the facts have
been both Inexperienced and mis- stated, think
it proper to state them briefly, that the truth may
be known to the stockholders and to all concerned
1t is not true that this application to the Post
Office Department was for mail service. We. who
applied, had no reference whatever to what is known
the " Great Southern Mall" and cared very little
about it, although we might have agreed to carry
it as we'll as the Email line" has)-we proposed
neither to bid for it, to interfere with its general
schedule tme nor in any wise to disturb its present
transportation asked simply this:
That the Post Master General would allow this
Line of Railways to have the benefit of one half the
time now lost one of the through trains at Angus
ia. The mails and passengers lie at Augusta six
hours-we asked that the South Carolina Railroad
should be directed to come forward after three
hours delay at Augusta, and deliver the mails and
passengers for this route at Columbia in order that
we might deliver them along roads much
earlier, and at Weldon in time to connect with the
Northern trains twelve hours in advance of pres
ent time.
This was the whole matter, and so perfectly rea-
sona5le did it appear to the Post Office Department
that we should have what asked for, that the i'm
mediate reply was" if the President of the South
Carolina Railroad sends his written consent the De-
partment will not hesitate to order the proposed
change Oft ne." The South Carolina Railroad could
not be justified in refusing to consent, and therefore
did consent; whereupon, when we looked daily to
receive the promised order, got from the Second
Assistant Post Master General a communication in.
forming us that 1.-THE Wilmington Manchester
Railroad objects to the proposed change injurious
to its interests" and the Department therefore de-
clines to fulfil its promise to us-acging that the
schedule of the mail had been agreed upon by a
Convention of Roads, and could not be changed
but by general consent. We, on the contrary in
sisting that the change of few hours time ON one
single road was not change in the general schedule
except for the benefit of the public service, and for
the advantage of the Wilmington & Manchester
within the last six months, and needed, the
straight level lines" time to get through as
we'll as our "long route"
The communities the line of these Railways,
from Columbia to Weldon, embracing all the upper
Districts of South Carolna-all of Western and a
large part of Middle North. Carolina were by this
proposed change of a few hours between Augusta
and Columbia, to have greatly increased mail and
travel facilities but "the Wilmington and Manches-
ter Railroad objects, as injurious to its interests"
The travelling public between North and South
were by this proposed change to have new route
opened to them-(a thing generally regarded as de-
sirable rather than otherwise)-or one train daily
through, upon mail time, between Weldon and Co.
lumbia; but the Wilmington and Manchester
Road objects. as being injurious to its interests"
The Wilmington and Manchester and Whining
ton and Weldon Railroads have the government
support of mail pay the advantage of mail transpor
taton, and that, much boosted, of a nearer route
this is not enough-they must also have the gov.
eminent protection from the danger of competition
~. Is ,1-ox~ ~
and level lines" advertising themselves as possessed
of every superiority to induce travel are ncvcrthe
less frightened out of their proprcty the prospect
of an Opposition the part of this line Of
"heavy grades and crooked ways" Our people are
not to be allowed any mail passenger facilities ad
ditional, which the Post Office Department nigh,
have afforded with benefit to the public service be-
cause, by possibility, some few through passengers
might prefer long crooked rou e." and thus in
ure the interests of these two straight level lines
But is there any statute to forbid this privilege
choice? Have these aforesaid "lncs" obtained by
any means monopoly of thoroughfare over the ter
ritory of North Carolina-both ungranted and un
known to the rest of us
Wilmington papers have INDUCED in profilse in
dgnation at the presumption of the North Caroline
Railroad in proposing to carry passengers and seen
to consider that it owes very heavy debt Of graft
tudc to that enterprising town, for the which, they
possibly think this crooked Road should only bt
these t(
Wilmington alone. The authorities of this RoaC
WILL nevertheless it is possible to suppose, consider
that their first duty belongs to the work committed
to their hands-to its interest and its people; the,
may presume to venture so far even to consider
that the interests of Middle and Western North
Carolina are almost equal in Importance to those
the town of Wilmington, which they have beer
charged with favoring unduly; and they may no
consider the North Carolina Railroad to be managed
in way very Injurious to the inter csts of vii
mington, or of The Wilmington and Weldon Rail
road while it furnishes to the its most valuable
commerce, to the other sinking fund for the pay
ment of its debts; and the severe reference from
this quarter to the States interest this Road vii
not be very severely felt by who understand
that the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad has beer
Also in like manner, fostered and sustained by thu
States bounty.
1t may be considered very shrewd policy to maxi
the case so appear, that these two Roads hav
been much aggrieved by the effort of this route t.
get what its people are entitled to claim-the hes
mail and travel facilities; but it will scarcely b.
successful, and moreover it will scarcely tn
people of Middle and Western North. Carolina G
region to which Wilmington must look for some
thing of more consequence to her prosperity thai
all the through traveD to overlook the gratuitou
and unauthorized interference which has prevente
their just rights, although it might open new
"crooked long line" of Railroad which might posi-
bly, take some of the through travel.
Ifthese straight level lines" do not expect to ge
from the general government grant in perpetuit,
for the mails and travel between North and South
it must be known to their jealous and intelligen
papers that both will now. in few months, diverg
to pass nearer, if not straight and level
route and it may be possible that then, thos
most interested in the Read and town of Whining
ton, will find reason to regret the adoption of
policy not altogether the wsest and best to promot
their interest in Western North Carolina. Friend
are seldom made stronger by abuse-commercis
intercourse not much promoted by unjust treatmen
and arrogance.
No Railroad or locality is to be blamed for doin
whatever is legitimate to advance its interests; bu
M Pad localitu he iuStified