Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-01-21
Coal and Iron at Last-some very Plain Talk.

Coal and Iron Last.-some very Plain Talk.
About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon the steamer
j. a. Haughton, with the barge Pioneer in tow, arriv-
ed at our wharves from the Mineral Region on Deep
River with COAL copper ORE black band iron ORE soap
stone, country produce, etc. ETC.
We were informed of the fact by the firing of guns in
token Of rejoicing There was reason for rejoicing
We had before us the evidence of the fact that
the minerals are there. We and hand
led them by the ton We knew that boat had passed
through all the locks just after the occurrence of ire
mendous Feshet and that the amount spent in repairs
after that freshet had been but little inadequatey
sructed the locks are We felt convinced that there
is the most valuable coal and iron ore in the United
States on Deep River We see that in few days after
tremendous fshet steamer and barge passed through
mere wooden locks haEdecayed and yet without serious
oss or detention. We can therefore what may be
done what certainly will be done when the locks and
all the rest of the works are constructed scale COM
mensurate with the extent and Importance of the bust
ness and IN manner calculated to secure permanence
and efficiency.
We go for meeting the thing at once, and saying
what we think We have no question that the works
would be cheap at two millions of dollars. Much less
loser but the gamer by the Legislatures appropratng
enough to secure the complete construction of the works
as they ought to be; but if So the State giving the
money ought to have some controlling influence. Again,
those whose property to be developed ought to bear
the burden certainly in greater proportion than those
whose property is not When we open street in VIII
mington, we make those in the neighborhood whose
property is enhanced pay the enhancement arising from
IN lot min Dnn1 ivnr
do hatthey are to be the direct and immediate bene
fciaries by the opening-let them come under rule
like that which our property holders in Wilmington have
had to submit to- when street has been opened of late
years. Now, the mining interest is local and concen-
trated nteresit that with outlet is wealthy
without it, is not In the present state of things, it is
speculative interest Men had lands worth few dollars
an acre. for raising corn or wheathey found that they
contained minerals and would be very valuable when
these minerals could be carried to market-What had
been worth hundreds would be worth thousands. Or,
somebody buys land there on speculation, hoping to
have its value increased enod by the opening of some
to market-and the opening of some avenue IS
really the only thing that give it value What 9TH
er class of citizens in the State can have the in
teret in the works to develop the Coaeds that their
original or speculative owners have? They ought not
to expect to wake up morning and find themselves
rich by the opening up of works, the cost of which they
have only borne in very remote and secondary manner
in with all the citizens of the State who have not
cent of direct interest in the property, the value Of
which has been doubled rebed quintupled; yea, per
haps multiplied teniold,
Let the State and the mining interest make a com.
promise Let the State make the slack-Waer naViga.
ton the only work that really develope the wealth
of the mines and mineral lands and let her receive
half Of all the enhancement of value created by her SC
doing such enhancement to be ascertained by compar
ing assessment made after the works finished and
in full operation, with the assessments Of 1853 By
law passed some years ago. when we open street il
Wilmington, the property in the neghborhood, directly
enhanced in value by such opening has to pay the cost
incurred in so doing, as we have already instanced
If the miners owners of mining lands not will
ing that the State, which is asked to give the whole
money to make their property valuable shall thus share
directly in the enhanced value then let them make h(
necessary works themselves We don't think the State
is at all anxious to make the partnership, but really
think mutually implies two sides-ths mutually, all OIL
one side, we don't Ize--it is not exactly fair
We want no man to be taxed to death oppressed
but the value CT mining lands on Deep River is al
together speculative Not dollar of revenue has beer
dug from them Not dollar be realized unless thu
State opens an outlet Her work will give all the rea
value her share in it or better, if it is wrong tina
she should share it is wrong that she should create thu
value-let those interested do it-one or the other
We proposed to talk plainly-the heading Of our ar
tice said as much. 1t is best to do so. 10 this com
pexon it must come at last. This Deep River bushes
has hung upon hands since our State starte
on her present career of internal improvements in l848
and it hangs now. An Understandings definite IN
derstandng is absolutely necessary without it, ever
one knows the folly of going to the Legislature. Wit
one, there would be chance of something bein
DONE because there would be some reason in doing it.
However, let us say one thing, in which all WI
agree The present President and Directors deserve h
utmost credit for their energy and devotion to the IL
terests Of the great work under their charge. Mr. Cas-
sidey has done all that could be done under the circum
stances and with the means at his command. We hop
to yet the River bearing millions of tons of coal an
iron its BOSOM and the State receiving her due shal
of the advantage Journal of yesterday.
p67~The Washington States under the head of "WasE
ingtOn Rumours and specuations gives what puportst
be the result of the Caucus of Democratic Senators bel
on Saturday, which appears to have been called to col
slider the Presidents recommendation in referenc