Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-01-20

Fhnner, Guythsk. HlAjAisSI gISsk Lanksord,
Leach Martin, Mcdowell Minis, Person, PhcAl0sd,
F FSoi s.%s, 49, Esnhs spssAt stss1S T.ylos
Mr.. Thomas explained his vots-that b; would
stand BY the constitution q long - the east eout
ued to do 50 with regard to the west -, >'t'
BILLS ON THEIR PAssA0H.. -, : /,
Mr.. Cunningham moved to take up the bill = au-
tnor'ze the Roanoke Navigation Company tsdsoon-r
tnue their canal around tho great falls Of the Roam
oke river. Adopted .,z-- - s, -s,i i
The committee reported favcrsbsv on the bin.
Mr.. Cunningham said the bill before the Senate
was so fully explained by the petition or memorial
accompanying it. that had it been printed and placed
In the hands of Senators, be would not have felt
called upon to make any remarks But the petition
had probably not been read except by the members
of the committee therefore he asked the indulgence
Of the Senate for few words Of explanation - =
The Roanoke Navigation Company was incospora-
ted IN 1916 by the Legislatures Of North Carolina
and Virginia and the capital stock was about $780,
QUO, Of which Virginia owns one-ffth or $50, OOO
and North Carolina one-eighth or $4,000. The
object was to make the Roanoke and its tributaries
navigable for batteaux from the mountains to the
towns on the lower part of the river-firuishing q
market in those towns and over the Albenarle
sound to the vast produce Of the region drained by
these waters. The company has long been organ
lied and it has accomplished an important service,
at much cost, in making an outlet to market to an
extensive and fertile country.
Among the works of the company Is a canal
around the great falls of the Roanoke, below Cas-
ton, or rather two canals miles long. the
other much shorter. Owing to the construction Of
railroads in NorthCarolina and Virgnnia, that por
ton of the company's works between CASTOR and
Weldon is Of no service to the public, while II en-
tails useless expense on the company. There is
railroad Communication from Castor INTO North
Carolina and Virginia, and also from Weldon; and
there is also similar communication between those
points The object therefore, Of the bill is to obtain
the consent Of the State to surrender Of the fran
chise of the company between those points, and to
sale of their works. These works, as stated, con-
sist Of two canals, and on these is an exceedingly
important water power, said to bc among the finest
in the Union, together with adjoining real estate
belonging to the company. The property is valua-
bic and doubtless could be sold to advantage while
for the purposes of the navigation company it is
now useless and is kept in order ut a heavy cx-
pense. The State of Virginia has already given her
consent to the SALE and the stockholders arc also
willing. and even anxious. No earthly purpose can
be served by refusing to sell, while such refusal
would cause considerable annual expense which
will be all dead loss and onccighth Of which will
fall on the State. On the other hand this annual
loss will he stopped by sale Of the works; aud
not only so, but considerable sum Of money must
be realized of which the State will get her portion.
Very extensive manufactures could be erected on
| the water power, in a region which furnishes an
immense amount of grain and cotton for market.
Such, he said, in conclusion, was a brief and plain
statement Of the case and he could not doubt but
that the bill would receive the sanction Of his fcl
| low-ScnatOrS
Mr. Person offered amendments providing for no
tice of sale in three newspapers Of the State for
thirty days previous thereto; that the sale should
take place in Weldon; specifying the terms Of sale
providing that in the event Of the sale falling the
canal was to be kept up and that it should be kept
in good order till day Of sale.
Mr.. Cunningham had no objection to the amend
ments.
Mr.. Brown concurred in the views of Mr.. Gun
ningham. and was in favor of the passage Of thu
bill. The legislature Of Virginia had recommended
the proposed course, and it came also with tn,
unanimous recommendation Of the private stock
holders. He believed the effect of the measur,
would be to promote the common interests Of al
| concerned
The amendments of Mr.. Person were adopted.
The bill then passed its second reading. 80
Mr.. Cunningham moved to strike out "thirty
days" (notice of sale) and insert sixty days.
Agreed to.
The bill, under suspension of the rules, the,
passed its third reading, and ordered to be en-
CROSSED
The bill to provide for special terms Of the count,
courts of Cumberland and Duplin, was so amended
on motion of Mr.. Flanner, to embrace in its pro
visions Craven county. and then passed its thir,
reading and was ordered to he engrossed
The bill prescribing the duties Of executors an
administrators also passed Engrossed
The bill to incorporate the Cherokee Turnpik
Company, after discussion, was postponed till Sal
urday, on motion of Mr.. Thomas.
The engrossed bill relative to Justices process
passed, and was ordered to be enrolled
Also the bill making husbands liable for the debt
of their deceased wives.
On motion of Mr.. Edncy, the Senate adjourned.