Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-11-03

ing the balance brought forward from the last year,
the amount of $76,57a 80
OF this amount there is
applicable to the divi-
dend of, this wear, $5s,s9s 90
To Sinking Fund, 5000 90
To unpaid dividends of
To debt owing by the
Company, not yet due, 29,757 Do
Making the sum of s97, O7s 80
This sum shows the exact condition Of
the finances of the Company, from which
it will be seen that the floating debt OF
the Company is the sum of $20, QUA VI
This is for the purchase of locomotives and other
articles on the road, and payments Tor which
do not fall due until the ensuing year.
The sinking fund, for the redemption OF the fund
ed debt was at the last annual meeting, $27,7OO %
Amount carried to said fuLd this year, 5000 90
Making at this time the amount of $35,7OO 90
which is to the credit of that fund.- and is invested
in the bonds of the Company which have been re.
deemed or in bonds of the State of North Carolina
The value of the Rolling Stock, as will appear
from the report of the Master Machin-
list, is $2O2,7lO OO
Showing an increase over the previ-
Gus year of 15,6l5 81
The track way of the road is in good order and
much improved. Many new sills have been suppli-
ed where needed, and it has been materially bene-
fitted BY thorough ditching and draining on the
sides, and your committee would state that the Su-
perintendent of the road, Mr.. P. A. Dunn, deserves
credit for the faithful attention which he has given
70 these important repairs.
The Bridge at Castor has been completed and
may Justly be called of the best structures of
the kind in the Southern Safes. The necessary re-
pairs have been made to the Bridge over Tar River,
and it is now, in the opinion Of your committee,
stronger than it was when first complered. The
AL,,L hid ~, e. md hou
ing the necessary repairs put upon them.
The Culverts and other masonary are in good or
der, with the exception of the culvert nearest Wei
don, the lower wings of which have partially given
way and may need some repairs before great
while.
the condition of the depots the road the necessi
ty for buildings for the protection Of locomotives
and cars, and the enlargement of the Workshops.
At Weldon. we labor under great disadvantages,
both in regard to the accommodation of passengers
and freight
Your committee would recommend that Ware
house be built for the storage of freight, and that
some arrangements be made, either for running the
trains under the present She'd for building shed
for their better protection and afordng facili
ties for the accommodation of passengers,
At Henderson and Franklinton new Depots are
needed. Reception rooms at all the Depots on the
road for the accommotion of passengers are also
much wanted.
1t is true, that to make these additional repairs
'oS rSesppeey sug
gest that they be made fast the finances of the
Company will permit.
Your committee would further call the attention
of the stockholders to the necessity of eectng in
surance on some all of the bridges, especially on
the bridge Tar River For, by reference to all
railroad reports the heaviest items in their expendi
lures for the construction of bridges and should
~ h. ho ,Lolo ~:
dend may be consumed in the reconstruction, while
by small annual outlay, should accidents occur
from fire, much might be saved.
Your committee would respectfully suggest that
the Superintendent of the road be required to make
annual report of the matters which fall under his
charge, in addition to the report of the President
Treasurer, and Machinist
The attention of your committee has been called
to the complaints make along the line of the road
against the tariffs of freights which have been
charged during the past year. especially to the dis
ordinations made on those articles passing the
shorter distances on our road.
Upon mature deliberation and thorough exam
inaton of the tariff, your committee were of opin-
ion that some revision and alterations were needed
For while your committee were fully impressed that
railroads should regulate their tolls to support
themselves and pay to the stockholders fair and
remunerative dividend on their investments they
still believe that by system of too high charges
and unfair determinations (though paying at firsO
the patrons of the road might be driven to seek
some other road to market
There is reciprocal dependence and mutual in
terest between the producer, the mechanic and the
merchant, and Railroad Companies, which should
cause them to be co laborers.
If by high charges for transportation the farmer
is unable successfully to convey his produce to mar.
ket of course he will make great effort to increase
his production.
The object of Railroad Companies should be, to
stimulate an increased production, and to promote
the sale and dissemination OF the production of the
country, whether vegetable, animal or cereal.
In the situation in which our road is placed, with
competing lines on every side, it should be the poll
cy of its managers to extend, instead of diminish
ing, the facilities of Transportation both of freight
and passengers; and occupying the position of af-
foIding an outlet to SO many markets, d;scrmin-
charges should be fairly and equitably apportioned
according to distance and the trouble of loading and
unloading
Unless these views should obtain, other roads to
market will be sought out, and the current of trade
once diverted from our road, it will be almost i'm
possible to recall it.
Impressed with these views, your Committee call
ed the ate ntion of the President to this subject,
and pleased to state that the President and Dr.
rectors have had this matter under consideration,
and have made alteration in the tariff to remedy the
matters complained of, which we hope will prove
satisfactory to the sensible and far-minded portion
of the patrons of our Road. ..- .,
All Of which is respectfully submitted,
T. BROWN VENABLE, Ch'mu.'
The GREAT HUMBoLDr.-M. Won Humboldt has
celebrated his ninetyeth birthday An English cor
respondent writing from Berlin, says that " never
did conqueror receive congratulations from SO
many persons and such great distances as the post
boy had TO carry Tuesday morning to the we'll
known house in the Oransen6urger strasse.. Those
who have been fortunate enough to enjoy peep at
Fthe 9th volume Of Kosmos which is still under his
hands, assert that neither in style contents does
it in the least yield to the four volumes which pre-.
ceeded it. Humboldt himself Is said to be of opin-
ion that he will die next snrinR inst after ha wing