Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-10-11
Our Railroads.


We suppose all honorable and Intelligent
railroad officials manage their companies
for the interest of the Stockholders, whose
agents they are. There could be no more
suicidal policy than for one great line OF
railroad to be managed merely to lnlure
another, and the officials of such roads
should be placed where their individual
affairs could be directed by some sane per
son. and not kept where their want of dis
erection may iniure and destroy the prop
erty of others. How ridiculous 1t is tc
charge that any policy which may be adop-
ted by competing lines is done simply tc
iniure rival roads. If one company, by
superior management and executive abll-
ity. gets the advantage of another, seek
| ing for the same business, it is simply alb
surd to attempt to bolster up the unfortu-
nate but favorite one by imputing either
incompetency to the management OF the
more successful, or charging that its action
is based upon special hostility.
And editors must recollect that schedule s
are not adopted either for their con-
venience or disadvantage, but, while yield
ing in a measure to public want, trains
should be run to benefit the company.
The President and Superintendent are re-
spcnsible to the owners Of the road and
not to the public, and if satisfaction is
given them the complaints of others have
little weight And we would advise those
who are dissatisfied with the operations Of
our railroads, that they can have more in
fuence in defeating present officials by
showing to the Stockholders that the affairs
of the company have been mismanaged,
than by personal abuse of men who are
devoting themselves, with peculiar ability
and success, to the profitable working Of
the companies under their charge.
The Raleigh Sentinel is correct in sup
posing that the tariff Of freights and the
through connection between the North
Carolina and Wilmington and Weldon
Railroads were adopted for their mutual
benefit and not in hostility to other cor
porations. And as there has been no eff
fort or desire to force trade from its natu-
raj channels OF divert it from the best,
quickest and safest routes to the best mar
kets, but being left open and untrammeled
to the choice of farmers and merchants,
surely there can be 10 ust cause of COM
plant upon the score of public economy.
If the officers of the Raleigh and CASTOR
Railroad made mistake III purchasing the
interest of the State in that corporation,
they should not object to having advan-
tage taken of their want Of foresight. We
know that they were we'll satisfied with
their purchase, and shortly after it was eff
fected, declared handsome dividend, and
now, because the Stockholders of the two
competing lines have united in order to Sc
cure portion Of the large outgoing and
incoming freights of North Carolina, there
seems to be an effort to give the matter
personal turn. Men are applauded or
abused, not on account of their merits or
dement's as railroad managers, but accord
ing TO the popularity or unpopularity OF
the officials in charge.
Wait, gentlemen, until the accounts are
made out and audited, and let US compare
receipts and expenditures with those of
pre- ious years, and then, as special or gen
eral Stockholders through the States in
terest, say whether these roads have been
managed with energy, ability and success.