Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-12-23
SPEECH OF MR.. REEVES,

SPEECH OF MR.. REEVES,
OF sURRY, -.
In the House Of Commons to open Yadkin Rirer,
for light boats and the passage Of fish. 49,
Mr. SPEAKER: The object which we hope to at
tain by the passage of this BILL is faught with the
deepest interest to the people of that section of the
State through which the Yadkin runs and will not
only, if attained contribute towards their wealth
and happiness but will also afford to them greatly
increased facilities for travel and for traffic Sir
the people whom [ represent assume not here
the attitude of supplants; they seek no aid they
ask for no appropriation. They stand here pre-
senting and advocating claim the justice of which
has hitherto been lat least in measure,) recog-
nzed by favorable legislation Fully convinced
of the thorough feasibility of the enterprise, and
deeply imbued with the consciousness of its vital
Importance to their convenience well-beng and pros
perity they only demand, in simple justice the ex-
tension of-those ri GIFTS to them which have never
been refused to others. There is man, however,
the type of class, who actuated alone by grasp
ing, penurious, mercenary spirit has visited Raleigh
in the capacity of obby-member, to exert every
means in his power for the purpose of defeating this
bill, because, forsooth, its passage may chance to
conflict in some degree with his sordd schemes of self
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. That hei immensely wealthy serves
only to render his selishness more glarng his char
acteristc illiberaty the more thoroughly contempt
IDLE. Being the owner of mill upon the river, his
dam not only obstructs the passage of its fish, but
it is Also at present. insuperabe barrier to its sue
cessul navigation. Sceptical to the existence of
honesty integrity and generosity in Others and firmly
believing that legislators may be bought he triumph
antly boasts that he will defeat the bill at any sacr
tce Is there member of either branch of the
General Assembly whose vote can be influenced by
such a man, however specious his prctences or plau-
sible his statements? Or, will legislators, to rid
themselves of his relentless opportunities free
their button-holes from his tenacious grasp-suffer
lfichn tO friI1 onl ipfo
to outweigh the convenience welfare and prosperity
of thousands? Can representatives of the people
viewing as trivial matter the improvement contem-
plated in the b-an improvement which is of such
vital importance to the inhabitants of large section
of the State, refuse through culpabe incidence to
investigate fully into the merits of the measure and
utterly ignore the claims of those whose is le
gion? hope not-believe not.
a word or two more Mr.. Speaker concerning
this illustrious member of the lobby. He was Cor
professed to be) member of the American party.
But when his friend Hon. r. G. Puryear, was
candidate for reelection to Congress- and was oppo-
sed by Mr. A. M. Scales, this spotless patriot this
jealous partizan-deserted his old friend, voted,
spread himself for, and thereby unintentionally,
of course,) injured Mr.. Scales. And why? For the
simple reason, Mr.. Speaker, that his friend Mr..
Puryear had remarked that Col D. s jack was the
reputed sire of better muecolts than those descen-
ded from his lobby -member's) own imported ami
mali! Such is the man who is endeavoring to
thwart the Wishes and stie the interest of thous-
ands. He is as have said before, the type of
class clique who, actuated alone by mercenary
motives, have aIrayed themselves against the good
of the people This exposure, Mr.. Speaker, much
as regret it. has been forced upon me; and will
add that rejoice to believe him to be exaggera-
ted specimen of the class to which he belongs. The
remarks have made concerning him were needful
in order to anuul, in measure, the insidious and
iberal efforts which he together with others, has
been making to defeat the proposed improvement
Mr.. Speaker, the people residing in the valley of
the Yadkn have always cheerfully contributed to
the improvement of all other sections Of the State.
Their representatives can proudly say, that while
they have ever responded with alacrity to the ap-
peals for State aid which have arisen from every
quarter, yet they have never been suppliants for
State bounty, recipients of State treasure. They
occupy no such position now. They ask but the
privilege of rendering their river navgable by
their own labor, with their own means. By the in
terna improvement system of North Carolina, they
have been, as yet, but remotely benefited. The n
G. Railroad has aided but very slightly in the deve
opment of their resources and has brought no Access
sion to their prosperity. This bill proposes to open
up communication with that road and thus to rem
der to extent available to people, for the
transportation of their produce. This is section
al scheme; nor could We, if would, restrict it's
beneficial results to our own people alone. 1t will
greatly increase the receipts of the N G. Railroad
and give to North Carolina markets the luxuriant
harvests with which fertile valley teens, and
which now diverted into other channels swell the
exports Of adjacent States
Nor is this all, Mr.. Speaker. The passage of this
BILL while materially contributing to the prosperity
of the State at large well to the convenience of
those Immediately benefited, will greatly tend to
the speedy development of the ncalculable treasures
which are locked up in our mountains But will
not dwell upon these. have said heretofore that
the Justice of claim has been hitherto recognized
by friendly legislation, see Stat. 1903, 1872 1921
which acts have never been repealed and which are
still in full force, though disregarded Then who
ever has erected Instructions across the river is
usurper, and is not entitled to any respect from this
General Assembly. Pray, what right had he to
erect those obstructions? Who gave him the pow
er to obstruct beautiful river, and to deny
to us the privileges given to us by Natures God
know, Mr.. Speaker, that an effort is being made
to make this party measure here. in the capacity
of lobby members. We have one protesting to be
democrat scho is himself interested in one Of the
Instructions we complain Of trotting all round the
city, appealing party party PARTY and on the 9th
er hand have another noble patriot of the lobby,
who processes to be whig or American, appealing
to party. Now, Mr.. Speaker, let US look after the
latter gentleman, little who has been thus appeal
ing to party. Mr.. Speaker notice communica-
ton in the Western Sentinel signed "Yadkin, .
which is also being busy circulated here by its au
:hors, teIobby members, and which one of them is
now circulating In this Hail. relative to this bill
which have introduced in the present General As
sembly, for the opening of Yadkin River. Ihaye
seen this article before It has been slyly circula-
ted for weeks in this place among members Of the
ILegslature by ill,strious lobby members from the
! county of Yadkin These corert attacks upon this
| important measure; these sneakng misrepresenta
lions have hitherto treated with silent contempt
but noao can no longer hold my peace Appearing
| in a nhc nrint throwing off its DISGUISE feel 4