The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-09-10
THE RAILROADS

THE RAILROADS
We refer the reader to the advertisement of the Viii
mington g. Weldon Railroad in another column. And
ave alse invite attention to the following article from
the Wilmington Journal in regard to shipping freight,
which we hope will induce shippers to paronze those
Roads IN C. and Will & Weldon via Goldsboro) in
which the State is interested Stakeholder. and thus
aid in lessening general taxation:
I'VE see in the Petersburg Index, of the 22d inst,
savage editorial. evidently designed advertise
ment for the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad Company.
= The writer evidently does not understand
the subject upon which he is wrtingfor desire to
give him credit for candor We submit the following
facts, and we know them to be facts.
The North Carolina Railroad is from Charlotte to
Godsboro, distance of two hundred and twentythree
miles, three-fourhs State road The question with
the Stockholders of that corporation that decided
at Greensboro. of interest to themselves and
not for any city place. 1t is this, How could they
increase the receipts of their road without increasing its
expenses! 1t was found that by an old arrangement,
made when the State owned large interest in the Raj
eigh and CASTOR Railroad that the bulk of through
feights to and from Northern markets, passed off their
road at Raleigh while their freight trains, with few
ears. kept ON to GoldsbOro
1t also found that the left off at Raleigh to
60 by Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad would, if they had
been carried through to Goldsboro, have yielded them
about fifteen dollars per car. Admitting that they had
carried ten per day each way for three hundred
days. equal to six thousand cars per annum which
would only have cost them the wheelage the cars
extra, or more than it would if they had left them at
Raleigh and have gross receipts from this of
ninety thousand dollars that to another Company.
This sum may be more less than the actual amount
that would have been realized last year. if the present
plan had been in Forces but it illustrates the principle
which the Stockholders, without dissenting voice.
decided this question. By the present through
freights both ways. we understand that Company
eeves about average of fifteen dollars per car be-
tween Raleigh and GoIdsboro'. which is sufficient to
make the plan permanent one. The difference in dis
lance between Raleigh and Weldon, by way of Colds
boro' and CASTOR, is twenty miles, and the longer
distance is over road with few grades and curves up
which any speed can be made; hence no difference
in time.
The cost to the two Companies is no more, because
sively for (which Railroad managers understand to
mean nearly all net profits. The great and essential
mistake this writer makes. and into which all the Nor
folk papers have fallen, is that he and they discuss
ing this question applicable to eghts going the
markets Of Petersburg, Norfolk Wilmington, when
the facts do not justify his conclusions.
The question is purely this, what route shall
goods from Baltimore, Philadelphia New York or
Boston, going to all places in North and South Car
DINA, supplied by this line from these points to
those cities, take regards the Railroads between
Raleigh and Weldon. Nothing more-nothing less
The Stockholders of This State work say: travel over
the longest distance of our road, it will give US
the largest Income. Is there anything more natural
more reasonable?
Shoulda corporation, any more than indivd-
ual, give away profitable business to crafty
outside party, in which it had earthly interest
and especially when By helping themselves they
can benefit friend. Look at it in every way, and
nothing unusual or unreasonable can be seen.
As regards the produce to, and goods from, Nor
folk to the interior, informed by those who
know best, that not one-sixth of the freight that
passes over the Seaboard Railroad, originates in
Norfolk, goes to that market for sale, and much,
very much, less from Petersburg. 1t has been SAID
that scarcely two per month, of goods and pro-
duce to and from Petersburg, go to or come from
beyond Raleigh, on the North Carolina Railroad.
Hence our position that this is question entirely
of transit of freight, through portions of North
Carolina and Virginia, and not business to the mar
ket towns of either State. True, great deal of
produce goes to Norfolk and to Petersburg from
North Carolina, but by far the largest portion of
originates on our own Wilmington and Weldon)
in preference to Wilmington not because their
merchants show more energy zeal merchants
but because these cities nearer the great COM
mercal centre-New York-than Wilmington.
Now, we suggest to the merchants of Petersburg
and Norfolk that the recommendation of the Index
and other newspapers of both cities that their mer-
chants send all their goods 10 Raleigh, via Raleigh
anu CASTOR Railroad, is bad ''policy."
Our people will soon find where their friends
reside and the interest all people have in the
North Carolina Railway great State work and
as a helper to pay taxes and debt, commends this
subject forcbly to their attention
The new policy the State has inaugurated in the
management of her principal Railroad will soon
enable il TO pay dividends into the Treasury Of the
State. But if defeated in this result BY citizens of
Virginia because they stockholders in the Raj
eigh and CASTOR Railroad, which has long
joyed monopoly Of this through business, they
will know where to send their reghts and where to
buy their goods.
We do not fear the trial-let it come. To our
friends we say keep your eyes open and look for
the "half-moon stencil plates" "va Raleigh and
CASTOR Railroad" that said to be in secret cir
culation and somehow get TO peoples boxes
without orders.
We have fears for Railroads and our sea-
ports. The President and Directors of the North
Carolina Railroad Company are "masters of the sit
uaiion,' and they may form dissolve an alliance
with other roads that their interests demand,
and if reasonably done they will be sustained.