Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-11-04


Early in March last, in obedience to an order Of
the Bosrd made in February rtceding-encouraged
by the expectation that We should thereby get the
benefit of some three hours lost time at Augusta,
Georgia, tM daily passenger trains were put on the
line. This expectation was founded upon promise
by the Post Office Department, made al the instance
and upon the joint application of the Presidents of
the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad the North
Carolina Railroad and of this Company-but upon
the condition that the of the South Car, olina
Railroad should be obtained. This consent was sub
sequenly given, and the Post Office Depa, iment
formally notified thereof The Department, howev
Err, declined accedng to the arrangement on the
ground that the Wilmington and Manchester Rail
road o'jected-it alleging it TO be injurious to its
interest" This Company, certainly, desires success
to its enterprise: yet it could not be induced 10 at
tain it through in proper aids 1t would not ask any
thing Tor its own exclusive advantage, 10 the preu
dice of the public service. And 1t is bel'eVed tliat
in this instance it may be assumed as demonstrate,
that so far from such change being OF public det'
riment, it would have proved emnently beneficial
Travel and mails would have been greatly expedited,
bv enabling the connections to be made at eldon
and Augusta, each ten and hail hours sooner Than
at present Thus giving to Raleigh and Western
North Carolina the southern mails that much soOn-
err: nevertheless we have contiI ued the two daily
trains in close connection with the North Carolina
and Charlotte and South Carolina Railroads, and are
g,atifivd in being able to inform you that notwith-
standing the opposition of the Eastern Line and the
sympathy of the Department., our through travel Is
gradually increasing and the prospect at this time,
assures US, that, at no distant Gay, We may share
fair proportion.
Our trains have run with great regularity-nct
missing single connection at Weldon and but two
at Ra!eigh-one occasiontd by the breaking oil the
machinery of the engine and the other from Side
of stone and earth OBTAINING the train, except du-
ring week in February from heavy snow drifts,
which it required three eng ines and large force to
remove.
The exhibits herewith communicated, inspire
confidence that prosperity is onward and whilst
our from every source has increased, 1t Is
particularly gratifying the large increase from
through travel The great addition to the local trav
ell ard freights which are inseparaby connected
with our work, and which cannot be diverted. gives
a certain value to it reliable ipvestment-and
when we take into consideration the length OF our
line-the healthy and fertile sccon through which
it pa>se>-the ease comfort and safety Of travelts
cost per mi e. with its present equipment, ard de-
ferre Indebtedness of not more than twOhirds OF
its annual nett profits to ex'i.gush which an ample
sinking fund-annuallv increasng-s already pro-
vided, " h parallel be found in the southern
unity offering such inducement fer permanent in
vesineni? tits not Inappropriate to state here, that,
a railway ficn, Raleigh or from some contiguous
point the n c. r. r., to the coal and iron fields
in Chatham, distant about thirty five miles, to which
public attention is a,eaGy nes,ly directed, would
~
road a, immense ard profitable freight, hilst it
could not fail greatly to advantage the public by
rendering easily accessible the now almost dormant
resources of that itch region.
In view of the great accession to the wealth of the
State from connection like this, and The unmiSak
able advantages to large portion Of her citizens,
both in the east and west. and especially to that por
ton in the middle and eastern counties, where a
scarcity of fuel om the forest begins to be felt, the
hope may he reasonably INDUCED that the accom-
plishment IF such work will not be postponed to
distant day.
1t is cause of high congratulation that not sin
gle pass niger has sustained personal injury during
the year, ard that our road has won and is inning
a widespread reputation and char for safety
and Dispatch in regard to both persons and tr,ght>,
which cannot fail to invite increased travel and
transportation. 1t gives much llea>urr, in this
connection, to bear testimony to the industry and
good conduct OF the subO'dinaes and operatives i'll
your employ whose fidelity aud devotion your in
tereSt deserve all comm, ncla,nn.
The Ptsid ut ard liir. ctors cannot close this
port without recOmn ending to the serious consi;!
Grafton of the stockholders. measure deemed by
them of the first importance in financial point Of
view. The danger t" the interest Of the Company,
arising from the difficulty in obtaining labor
tain periods, and the employment frequently Of I'M
skilful and unlractised lab. r,rS, at the commence
ment of the year, with a dependence at all times
UPON the will and pleasure OF the owners of slaves,
labor to lie employed. The pun chase Of four men
and one woman for each s,clior one man for c oh
depot and two for the station at Raleigh max ng
for'y-Iour men ard eehs w.nen, would Ice the
Company in an ind pendent condition, and be a
wing of mere than M,ee Mousand dollars year
The avarage rate per hand Of the present labor is
about 1925 per annnm, at which the number indi.
Gated, cost xir thOusand dollars 1t is believed
that that number could be bought for sum- the
nual interest of which would not exceed three thou
s"nd doilars-the balance thus saved. if applied to
>iking fund. would discharge the principal of the
loan Ohirteen years. at maturity. 1t is worthy of
consideration that the increase of the women would
equal ard probably exceed any depreciation in value
of the property.
Respectfully submitted.
w. j. HAWKINS, President.
The Committee Of Finance and Inspection Of the
Raleigh and CASTOR Rnilrond Company submit
the Jollowing report to the meeting Of the Stock