Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-06-02
Gov.rm,ucnt Tmp:essn,.nt Of Isaiirouds.

Nest pIrsops aware that with government
officials there has been tendency disposition look
ing to the inpressnent Of railroads, virtually taking
their control out OF the hands of tter officers, and
working them to suit the notion of Perscus cloth,
viii little brief authority; and occasionally, during
the last five or e.x weeks We have heard of threats
beng made by Government agents, that certain rail
roads in North Carolina and Virginia. and perhaps in
South Carolina would be impressed,'' " sez d, y
lines consolidated and worked by Government" d..
We have always thought that the parties placed in
charge of railroads by their stockholders selected for
their acquaintance with the business upon which they
engaged having experience in carrying it on, fully
awaTe OF the state of the roads, together with their
needs aud capacities, could operate such roads to
tier advantage TO the private property involved,
ana at the same tine better meet the wants of
the Government and the public Ia general than
could any mere military agents possessing few
OR none OF these advantages aids to success.
Indeed s. plain has this appeared to Us that we
could not and cannot do otherwise than regard any
unnecessary interference or timpering with railroads
by government highly impotic, and almost
suicidal. And indeed we have recently heard that
old ard emIuent railroad Engineer had remarked in
gard to tie pIars of imprsssment By young govern
ment agent, that this was doing The work of the enemy
whether the perslu meant it SO or not
AS rule tie railroads have acted in the most pa
triotic spt and have eant all their energies to sup
portir the country AID sustaining the government in
tie struggle in which we are now engaged and al
though of course tie lie Of the country is coDsidera
oL Of higher Character than the conservation of any
merely private interest, still it is due to Il! stockhoId
ers in rliroCds that their properly should neither
be unnecessarily Injured, nor their control over it
unnecessarily usurpsd All the considerations of jus
tee and ezpediency appear TO Us TO combine in favor
OF allowing these works to remain under the control Of
their regularly appointed officers, whose patriotism and
desire 10 txpdAe the public business has not been
called in question: aud whose experience and knowledge
of The workings OF their respective roads must ,eed
that tf any military Cffci4ls matter how able
intelligent they may be. AS for instance on the
roads through this section of the STATE to which
refer particularly because better acquainted with them
than with any obers, assured that 30 complaint
has been made by any government agent having charge
OF transportation, and living aorg the line and know
ing the facts All the Quarermasers whose business
it is ship goods have testified to the efficiency of the
seaboard lire fron Wilmington to Weldon-at least
are informed, ard we believe that General Viii
ting, in letter, Las borne testimony TO the same
TACT. We do not know that any different state
OF things exists between Wilmington and Kings
Vliie And indeed it was not until the Government
found Itself short of two months ago, th
any dtnand Game here Increase the means OF trans
portation which was Promptly done to the exclusion OF
all private business Our roads at once set themselves
to work TO do all that their means would possibly en-.
able them to do and We know HAT similar snirit will
always Characterize their relations towards the GOVERN
ment and the cause 1t requires no military conpu-
sion to induce them to do their full duty, while at the
same time Stockholders would be apt to resent any at
tempt TO transfer their property from the control OF its
owners aad The management of the officers selected by
them. We have heard it said that Gov Vance had ex
pressed his determination to directly resist any i'm
pressment" of the N c. Railroad, (Centra1 thus bring
ing about Issue between the State and the Coued
eracy over which sundry Conservatives of the "strict
est sect" would no doubt chuckle amazingly.
We are pleased, however, to learn that Presiden