Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-07-25


not capable Of economical repair, can be exchanged
on fair terms. for new rails We have not so far
had occasion to make any purchases OF Iron, nor
will it be needful to do so at present
The Report of the Master Mechanic shows the
number and condition Of engines.
1t is known to you what number Of trains We
have been running the past year. The mileage of
the engines will certify their performance and their
general condition. 1t compares not unfavorably
with the work of any Road in the country. Few
roads are doing the same amount Of work with an
equal motive power We have on regular service
ten passenger-sir freight and two gravel train en-
gines-besides this we have two spare passenger
and one spare freight engne-with one light engine
for extra duty and another OF size rebuilding.
This power has enabled US for some time to run
doubled daily passenger, and daily freight service
| should propose, Us most advisable the use OF the
two smaller engines with light trains of special con-
structon for tho service, having low wheels on the
ditching work-and the use of all the larger engines
put in complete order, on the freight service. In
this way the business of the road may be done for
another year. should no misfortune occur to disable
the motive power, without the purchase of any
more engines. believe this department is conduct.
cd with skill, economy and faithfuness. The force
employed is now smaller than heretofore,-the gen.
e-a police and discipline is well maintained, and re-
pairs are despatched with great promptness.
The Foundry is q valuable aid to the establish
ment. The work done is thoroughly well done.
Arrangements are lately completed for making all our
own car wheels. There is no reason why it cannot
be done here as well any where, and at less cost
than they can be bought for abroad
The Car Shop has turned out less new work here
tofore than 1t can do hereafter owing to the neces
sity of thoroughly overhaulding the old equipment
Of cars. which was poor one in plan and construc-
ton The building Of new cars ought to be reg
ular business. We have an abundance of the best
material at command, cheap,-and new work will
60 up always probably with the necessary repairs
of the old stock
Within past six months have caused the shop
buildings and grounds to be enclosed, SO that now
have perfect security at all times for the proper
ty and material on hand.
repeat what has been before this said, but can
not be too strongly urged upon the attention Of the
directory, that this locality Of the Company Shops
is essentially for practical use and value, in the
road operations, the heart of the whole work. If
well managed and carefully systematized- its e-
cency is we'll maintained and its good order always
preserved-it will do more to ensure safety, success
and prosperity to your work, than any other means
you can employ; it will give you the great element
of success in good capable men identified with the
road by education and feelng-and it will give you
the security Of motive power and cars always in
safe order. And remark here that longer expe-
rience has sats6edme more fully Of the wisdom and
necessity of your requiring, an unvarying rule,
what the Board long since determined-that all off,
cials, of whatever rank having positions Of execu-
tive duty, should reside at this point
GENERAL REMARKS.
The condition and prospects Of this State work
have improved and continue to improve, every year.
At this time the safety Of the roadway in respect to
its solidity, permanency and entire security is bet
ter than ever before the equipment Of cars is such
as to do the business of the road with the aid Of
the new work building, and they also are safer and
better than At any time before; the engines have
nearly all been SO far overhauled within the last six
months as to secure their complete efficiency, and
the repair shops have the full capability Of maintain
ing this The system of the road in detail, and as
. whole, has been adopted after careful examination
of the manner Of working the best roads in the
countrv-we have introduced whatever was deemed
to be of value, wherever found, and have made such
changes as were applicable to the latitude and
pie.
1t is labor of no ordinary magnitude to establish
System on new Work-to bring order out of the
inevitable chaos of Constructon-to arrange and to
introduce policy Of management Just in its opera
ticns alike for the interest of the Stockholders and
for the proper claims of the community. In the
opening of every new Road there are many causes
existing to create difficulty to the management; the
people always are taught by the excited efforts of
stock subscribing, to expect more than any earthly
scheme has yet realized; the completion of the
work never satisfies the antcipatons Of its projec-
tors, or-of its enemies: strange if it should the
communities expect to receive suddenly the most
visionary and indeed the most unreasonable results
in actual protein general convenience-and in
positive returns. Time must be almost utterly an
initiated both for heavy freights and for travel
cost must be reduced to fractional per cent. Of
their lifelong experience-and at the same time,
fhpro 10 hear clan for 1Ouv and do
mand for instant remunerativc returns in dividends.
The disappointed ofceseeker, and the political de-
magogue, classes who give no aid in the construc-
ton Of these works. are the most ready and promi-
nent to employ such means for their injury.
The great blessing, and the general prosperity are
not laid in the balance to weigh against the little
complaints. We have had to meet these serious
and harrassing dificultes--but the time has past
when they can in any way embarrass the progress
of this work. 1t is now on firm and safe ground.
| Its success fully established-its future beyond
doubt: and one thing you are able to say-that no
Road in any Country, has up to this date been op-
Grated at lower average per cenage Of cost on the
gross receipts, for term Of years and with Eore
perfect exemption from disaster.
We may hope now that the communities on this
line will soon understand that there exists no anita
| gonism between the Railroads and those who use
| them. The interests Of the people and of the
Stockholders are the same. Only contracted
jealousy on one side, and mistaken view of policy
on the other, can cause the prejudice 80 injurious
to BOTH The Just and wise policy of the Roads, is
to aid and foster the business of the country which
is their tributary and in proportion they do this
I is their prosperity promoted by the augmented
wealth of the land. On the other hand, the public
should not desire to cripple the ability Of the Roads
to render them atall times prompt, safe and sure
service by refusing to them fair compensation,
such IS will enable them to maintain their roadway
and machinery, pay their heavy cost of operation,
and ct the same time, make just return to the
State which has 80 generously aided in their con.
struction and to the shareholders who have confer
red by their Hberality public benefit.
/ Il is with no formal expression Of common com.
plimen that desire to refer to the officials Of your
road They have been faithful and are capable. II
is 20 much easier for any omission Of duty to b.
SEEM than for IN their daily labors to be realized
that the work Of well DONE" s too little given fol
the couragement and support Of railroad men,
who, if they do their duty, have the hardest life
known to civilization life full Of hourly response
hilitY tha most nefi1la md az ihor in aeaann and