Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-08-29

w Asuraros am I.EaksyuLE RAnRoAD.-At the
Last session Of the Legislature charter was obtain
ed for Railroad from the town Of W ashlngton IN
this State, to the coal mines in Rockingham county:
near Eeaksville The Washington Dispatch, with
commendable ZEAL has repeatedly brought 10th no
tice Of Its readers the importance and utility OF TINS
road and urged such steps as would lead to the In
auguration and completion of this enterprise ~
Hitherto most of the interest felt the road was con-
fined to the town of Washington whose citizens
not only have great stake in the enterprise but
have shown disposition to put forward their ener
gies toward efectng it The charter authorized the
stock to run up TO s., 100000 with proviso that
the subscription of $1,000, 900 would be sufficient
to organize the company. A good portion of this
has been subscribed in Washington, and recently its
citizens deputed Thomas Sparrow, Esq, through
whose exertons chiefly, the charter was obtained
to travel through the counties Immediately interest
ed in this road for the purpose of enlistng the peo
pie in Its behalf
We are glad to learn that the efforts of Mr.. Spar
row have been successful in exciting much interest
and that in many of the counties leading men are
taking hold of the enterprise warmly.
This road is specially designed to promote the in
terests of North Carolina To the Wilmington Char
lotte and Rutherfordton Road it is specially import
ant as it will furnish more convenient market for
North Carolina produce to Wilmington, North
Carolina seaport, and cut off the large drain which
South Carolina, by her more early policy, had af-
forded for the produce of this State. The new pro-
iect, the Washington and Leaksville Road, by run
ming on our northern border is designed to cut off
dependence upon Virginia, and turn the large amount
of North Carolina produce which has for years been
made to contribute to the building up Of Richmond
Petersburg and Norfolk, into another channel. The
Road to Washington would afford much nearer
and cheaper route to market and thus turn North
Carolina produce to North-Carolna seaport.
L r.. l.. -
those who treat us as neighbors but we need not
conceal the fact that we feel special interest in pro-
noting the enterprise and commercial independence
of our own State. We are therefore in favor of any
improvement which will develope the resources Of
the State, and promote home industry, a home en-
terprise, home market and our independence.
The proposed Road is projected on one of the best
routes for freight and way travel' in NorthCaro-
lima, and what is desirable, must promote the in
terest of all the other roads. Col Gwynn, whose
Judgment in such matters cannot be questioned
considers one of the best projects in the State. It
will pass through Pitt, Edgecombe, Nash and Frank
lin, Granville, Person, Caswell and Rockingham
counties, its length being about ITO miles, through
a country in which railroad can be constructed
very cheaply. A portion of it would not cost over
$4,000 per mile, and it is believed that 81, 600, 900
will cover the entire cost.
The counties interested in this road pay about
one-eighth of the taxes of the State, and send to
market about one-eighth of the produce. The con-
structon of the Road and the concentration of cap
ita at Washington to provide the best facilities for
shipping and the establishment Of cotton and to-
bacco factories would render it the most accessible
depot and market to the large amount of cotton,
tobacco and -four, Of the rich counties through
which it passes and would lead to the rapid develop
ment of the immense agricultural and mineral re-
sources of that wealthy section. Success to it
Spirit Of the Age.