Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-02-16

and had therefore voted for the Danville connection
lie read an extract from the Charlotte Platform to
prove the Democratic party were bound to carry on
the internal improvement system. Mr.. d. spoke at
length, and with much warmth against the bill.
Mr. Baird defended himselffrom the charge of bad
faith relative to the Western Extension, and in the
course of his remarks said it was impossible to bring
the trade of Western North Carolina to the eastern
ports.
Mr. Bryson offered an amendment providing that
the North Carolina and Western Railroad should
consent to alter the guage Of the road
Mr. Woodfn was against the amendment. The
bill required certain guage and he willing to
grant it The work proposed would not benefit his
section but he was not willing to throw restrictions
around the charter of any portion of the State de-
manded for their benefit
Mr.. Hill, Of Stokes, supported the BILL The peo-
pie of Buncombe, Henderson and other counties
wanted this road and he was willing to grant it
He advocated the right of the people to bulda road
with their own money. He was in the Legislature
when this restriction about the breadth Of the guage
was adopted. He had voted against it then, and he
would now vote to repeal it. There can no trade
come to the eastern portion of the State when the
western people had better market nearer at home.
Mr. Baird made few remarks in reply to Mr..
Bryson.
Mr.. Fagg explained his reasons for voting against
tire revenue bill, and defended the votes he gave du-
ring the present session. lie said the hopes OF
Western North Carolina would be blasted if this bill
was rejected. He considered the Western Extension
dead for ever. He, at some length, explained his
Ioliiical opinions, was once Henry Clay Wing, but
VAS now Democrat. He hoped the House would
pass the bill and vote down the amendment
Mr. Walker said he did not rise for the purpose
O. arguing general politics but he could not keep
his scat and the interests of his people neglected
d. l.
words in reply to the gentleman from Buncombe.
lie asked, did not the gentleman from Buncombe
say that Western North Carolina could not furnish
any freight on the Western Extension? He asked if
ihat gentleman knew that two of the copper mines,
in 1857, furnished twenty thousand tons of copper
ore? That there are now six of those mines in OPP
Grafton that would furnish at least ninety thousand
tons per annum All this copper is now shipped
the Georgia roads by the way of Cleaveland, a
distance of $50 miles, to Savannah, Ga. 1t is then
1000 miles further from New York or Baltimore
than it was at the mines. five had railroad from
Wilmington or Beaufort-if the Western Extension
was built-all this copper ore would be taken over
it. Now, if the restrictions are taken off the French
Broad & Grecnyile Road you will certainly cut off
the head of the Western Extension am one of the
men who have this day met with Waterloo defeat
The West has always stood by the East whenever
they have asked for appropriation The West
the promise that the West should have theroad extern
ded through the State still hope the East will stand
to that agreement. There men in the East that
will stand up to the West and redeem their promi-
ses. I have voted for the Albemarle & Chesapeake
Canal and the Coal Fields Railroad bill, and the
Wilmington & Rutherford Railroad bill for exchange
of bonds and it is true that the West has got moth
ing | voted for the enormous revenue bill, and
still rely the East redcemng their pledges to the
West / hone this bill will not mass
Mr.. Bryson did not consider that this bill would
kill the Western Extension, and spoke in favor CT
his amendment.
Mr. Caldwell of Burke, foretold that the vote on
the Western Extension had sealed the fate of the
western democracy. Two years hence another par
ty will be in the ascendency. When the western
democrats were in the majority in that hall, they
could not get their rights but when the whig ban
ner floats triumphant in the breeze, then Western
North Carolina will receive her Just rights
Mr.. Hill, of Stokes. said the bill which was pro-
posed to-day for the Western Extension was voted
against by Mr.. T. R. Caldwell. Judging by the
votes of the present member, he wanted to know
what sort of Wings would be sent to the next Gen
eral Assembly that would do anything for internal
improvements.
Mr.. Masten pointed out the inconsistency of Mr..
Caldwell who voted against the Western Extension;
and asked, who were the men that recorded their
votes to sustain the credit of the State in passing the
revenue bill?
Mr.. Scales called the attention of Mr.. Caldwell to
the fact that out of the thiryonc votes given to his
BILL only fire belonged to the know-Nothing or Op-
position party. The western men came down in a
for appropriations yet they voted against rails
ing means to pay them.
Mr.. Hall, of Rowan, said there were two kinds Of
internal improvement men, one class of which want
ed improvements but would not give means to pay
for them.
After some humorous remarks from Mr.. Cald
well, of Gnilford, and Mr.. Byrd
Mr.. Caldwell, of Burke defended himselffrom the
illusions made to his vote the revcnuebill which
he said higher than the estimates of the officers
of the State. He complained of the manner ir
which his bill was opposed and said that rumOr as
serted that the highest parsonage in the State hat
canyassed for the passage of the substitute bill o
Mr.. Hall, of Rowan.
Mr. Ransom had advocated the reconsideration
and had voted for the BILL and could not sit by ant
hear Mr.. Caldwell throw the blame of the defeat o
the bill on the Democratic party. Had not Mr.
Caldwell himself voted against it? Ifhe was true
western man he would have taken the substitute of
fcred and if the people would not accept then hi
could fall back upon the original charter and be a:
well off as he is now besides giving the western PEG
pie another chance He commented on Mr.. Cald
wells charge against the Democracy and stated tina
Mr.. G. had done more, by his own course, to defea
the Western Extension than any other man in tn
House How could he blame the Democratic party
for voting against the bill when he did so himself
Mr.. Ransom defended the Governor from the allu
sions Of Mr. Caldwell and from his own knowledge
denied the truth of the rumors mentioned by Mr.
G., and complained Of such charges being brought
forward against the Executive of the State, with
such little foundation in truth.
Mr.. Caldwell, of Burke, explained his former re-
marks and was glad to hear that Mr.. Ransom denied
them from his own knowledge
Mr.. Moore, Of Martin, moved to lay bill and
amendment on the table. The motion was rejected
yeas 25, nays r. ,,
Mr.. Bryson offered an amendment to strike out
all after the enacting clause and insert substitute
The Speaker ruled the amendment out of order
Pending the discussion on this point at 10 o'clock,
the House adjourned
SATURDAY, Feb IL, 1859.
SENATE.