Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-01-12

rience 1t was all tall of the State not being able
to manage her roads-it was all humbuggery, he
might say. He kae,o better, and cited the case Of
Georgia and that of the Raleigh and Castor Road
aye and Of the North Carolina Road ITSELF for that
road had been but two or three years completed
It had not failed but its friends were too san
guine-they would not wait long enough. Trade
had to be developed-way traffic, upon which lay
the chief dependence of almost all roads had to be
created before road could be expected to pay
This was no "worthless road" as might be seen
from the offer made that day in the Senate to lease
it-an offer which was per cent on the States
stock He believed the road would yet make good
returns to the State, managed as it now was.
Mr.. Ashe stated that he had seen paragraph in
that days Standard promising in the next issue \
communication from the president of the n. c.
Road and thinking it might be in reference to this
question of management he had enquired Of Mr.
Holden, and was told that it was. That letter he
now had in his hand and although it was addressed
to member Of the Senate, he asked to have it read
After offering to submit the letter to Mr.. Ramsay
Ito whom it was addressed) that gentleman and the
Senate consented to the reading 1t is as follows:
SALISBURY, Dec. 18th 1859.
DR. Ramsay,
Stnato. from. Koran and Dazzle:
Sa: in late report Of Senate proceedngs on the bill in
in your remarks "The prevalent opinion was, that the
North Carolina railroad had been badly managed
Nearly years ago the admnsra ion Of the State work
here referred to, placed my hands 1t has been
my habit during this time, to notice in manner whatev
err Irresponsible generally vague charges
and M others were made have been quite satisfied to
leave my 10 for ITSELF where thousands
iin In, working Of the road 1t has caused
be disturbed that unreasonable people complain
that malignant persons abuse while trying to do faithfully
desired willingly retained. The world is wise enough
in good understand well that gentema-no
Of courage, will deal abuse Of official under bond,
xotco keep the peacc nd the vil;cation Of the vim
dctirc and cowary generally believed TO be rather bet
ter than their praise.
In The annual meetings Of stockholders have always in
vited the srcie enquiry touching all the affairs Of the Com
pany ID the the road and have cspci
ally requested the citation Of any complaints Few have
been there alleged None have been maintained.
This charge which you have brought forward, before
high body, being OF different character from such
marked above be unworthy Of notice. due to the Board
OF Directors well myself and 10 the public, that it
should be noticed
You speak your place Of privilege with the accredited
nucnc. OF Senator presumed TO know, and entitled TO
pect is taken for granted, that hon rabc gentleman
the very responsible position of public
,a,ive knowingly lend his voice aad influence Civ.
ing circulation 10 either personal PARTISAN scpreSenta
on and therefore be believed. that whatever said
in this hi body spoken. not the stump speech Of
dcmagTuciorc effect, paragraph Of al inscriptions
ncwspapcr-or personal for party se but with consider
ate dc.Ib.raon AID good cvidruce For, permit
observe how be considered allowable from
cral arraign poll ca and partisan matters all
should pr vail towards the vital interests OF the State her
public works. which ought be who delivered from the
contamination Of mere party well as from the scram
Aes OF party ascendLacy and while it unqucstionably
TIL representative OF the people should have full priv
egc speak freely Of pub and things and abundant
authority enquire strictly nto all matters relating 10 the
public interest," well investigate, closely he may
please the and the character II all officials, il is equal
~ that every sentiment of gencrosi and Of
justice, woull forbid pre- ud .men or crnsurc without
evidence.
Thus IS, sir, that in relation the administration Of an
important State work. you make very grave charge Such
if sustained would establish conclu>vcy IFS
incomprtcncy and unathuncss. And your remark
TO the extraordinary, CIR the that the affairs
Of the different under enquiry, and surely
would be only fair TO hear the result before pronouncn
condemnation.
was made on bill in relation to Boards of Directors in
the roads where the State the principal ntcreshc
question being nai"x the laws give the pow
Of controlling the roadhe majority Of Directors in all
the road,o the stockholders In the North Carolina road
the State owning three omths: in the Atlantic road t,ro
frds in the Western North Carolina road too thirds in
the Raleigh and Castor road hal II argued
tina, the roads having been badly managed by the State
therefore The individual stockholders ought to be placed in
full control their better direction. With the
lion this change Of the law, have nothing 10 do is
business dea-upon its merits nothing saybut
with your deduction on my personal arra nment have
sncthin do, and for the justification Of the State
well my account. You will no doubt be much
surprised hear that argument is fallacy and your
conclusion based tal mistake and misapprchcusion Of
the facts You will be asonshcd, for really changes the
whole aspect OF the but suffer to inform youhe
North Crolna railroad (your qstraon) has been in the
hands of the indiriGua stockholders f. the day of its
gam =aiian to this day. My predecessor from these
stockholders was elected by thcm-and elected, from
time Thu> you will pcrc i've how sadly you have
been mslcd TO the unjust bcratng Of the innocent State
err the unincndcd condemnation Of the stockholders If
this road has been badly gcd yon remark down
the Of these stockholders they rcso
sibc for it, rm the b. ginning throu both administrations
For three years. first from the organization Of this Company
the State had vcc in her either Of stockholders
board because yet der Of any interest therein
I,.tx l$lS tal hath.
have been attendance every meeting Of bh but enc,
within these years, according TO my best recollection
and ever any council the power OF the State has been
exercised overule the wishes opinions of the ssockho
ders have knowlc lge Of such time. The journals will
show Or il there has been div sion Of opinion,
much less Of between the stockholders and the State,
it is not within my recollection. -'
So you may how is possible to do the greatest
territorial injustice to both State and stockholders by single
error at the start and is always-hat to begin
with an error, is inevitably to end with wrong
For time past have observed with much concern the
evden ack Of all information concerning this road
its cost operating expense and cond,ionLon the part o.
Of intelligence and honor who have not designed to do the
load injustice. They have cmphaticay pronounced the
work procss both the Stale and the stockholders,
paying dividends, and only able meet its current
pcnses by its earnings Do yoa wonder why such state
made, if NOT True? For very simple reason
Because much easier take for granted whatever is
said by somebody than be the trouble Of examining for
the truth; and aside from being deceived into error by de-
signing asehood ote bad, majority OF enqurers like
prisoner but go dinner Reports have been made, ba
read The cry Of dividends and taxation considered
to facts and the road condemned aud the man.
agemen isdenounced, and verdict recorded
These things have given me concern, sad-and why
for any reasons touching personality by means The
time has been when any motive consideration has
caused to seek popularity to desire office or hooors
although could expect to be repaid for aborous
service to the Slatc in responsible and dangerous position
by injustice and abuse still having undertaken this
hard for its probable rewards given these
good or bad, but little Thought My concern has been o
other far weighty. For beholding that spirit
abroad and potent deceive honest intelligent and hono
bic men, which would the land with blight to WORK
corrupt ends Of partisan agta would mortal
y assai and misrpesent this pub has done
give North Carolina her just character abroad-mort
give her people e and hope and TO ener
syand to bring into her borders the light Of prosper
" after long Of darkness, than all other cases-i
thereby in thus pervertng TRUTH they could crafty partisan
emnity, sectional Jealousy, and personal maisnty
regret SIR have been obliged to trouble you, much les
Others with this Communication. 1t was due to JUSTICE and
desire express my great satisfaction at the excellent
pornty which il nov afforded to Of making before
COMMITTEES of the General Assembly exhibit Of this roas