Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-23
North Carolina Railroad.

North Carolina Railroad.
The question Of consolidation seems t.
be settled for the present. The conflic
between the Governor and the Superin
ltendent of Public Works, which appears
likely to find solution before the courts
may indeed bring renewed trouble on this
score. Bat we have always been OF the
opinion that the alteration of the eastern
terminus of the North Carolina Railroad
from Goldsboro' to Morehead City, would
be such a charge of the original contract
that could not be defended before lega
tribunal, to which any dissenting stock
holder could transfer the matter from the
decision of the stockholders in general meet
ing. So We really believe that iof all pract1-
cal purposes the question Of consolidation
has been settled
! Having gotten through with this diff
Guilty, what is the next which presents It's
self to this Company? 1t will hardly be
denied, we suppose, that whatever advan-
tage consolidation would have been to
Newbern, Morehead City, and the Atlantic
and North Carolina Railroad, it would
have been injurious to the business pros
poets of the North Carolina Railroad. 1t
seems to us that the new danger which
environs this Company is the tendency to
consolidate its business with roads lead
ing to Norfolk. A road which has the ad
vantage of the rivalship of three OF four
ports is pursuing most suicidal policy III
binding itself by a formal contract or by
the selection of officers in the interest of
one part, to rob itself of the benefits OF
the inducements held ont by all the others,
especially if in doing so fifty miles of its
line is rendered valueless. And IN this
proposition we 90 not consider tho lra-
mense profit it would be to the State in
throwing large amounts Of freight over
roads in which it is largely interested, or
the relief to the citizens, by causing the
stocks of the State to appreciate in Value
and pay renumerative dividends.
We do not ask President Smith and the
Board of Directors of the North Carolina
Railroad to make q tariff exclusively by
Wilmington, ncr by Newbern. We know
there are strong arguments to show that
such policy would be of great advantage
to the State without detriment to the road
We believe all roads should be run for
their own benefit and for the welfare Of
their patrons, and these two interests
The management of the North Carolina
Railroa d should prefer that route for its
freight come ctions by which it could be
most benefited and its patrons pay the
least amount of charges. Other things
being cludL, good policy and correct principle
,could dictate that State roads and State ports
s1ould 0l.co.Vs be preferred to those in achich
tie State has no interest," In other words,
if the people of Middle North Carolina
and the stockholders of the North Caro-
lima Re'lroad do not reap somo advantage
by throwing their freights By Norfolk,
then Wilmington and Newborn should be
preferred.
Norfolk, through its powerful ally, the
Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad, is extending
its arms through the centre Of the State to
Columbia, South Carolina. thus building
up dangerous rival to the North Carolina
Railroad for both freights and passengers.
And yet the present policy of this road is
but giving that corporation the ability to
prosecute this work with vigor. 4 thorough
business consolidation of the North Carroll
ma and the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroads
81 L,
justified only upon exclusive advantages to
be derived by it. Now we understand that
tariff exists between the New York and
North Carolina Steamship Line and tho
Carolina Railroads, by which freights are
transported to and from the interior of the
State cia Wilmington to New York as cheap
" as through Norfolk The same may be
| true by the way ofNewbcrn. Ii this arrange
ment is as profitable to the North Caroline
Railroad, and as advantageous to the PEG
! pie, then we respectfully submit that I res
ident Smith should not use his official in
! huence against State roads and ports BY
doing SO he is untrue to the best interests
OF MS OtaJo Ahu people, "ltllol' promoting
the welfare Of his road.
We trust that the victory uJcr TIC con
solldationists-a victory largely contriJu-
ted to by Wilmington votes-wiil not be
regarded as IL declaration against doing
business over North Carolina Railroads or
| through North Carolina ports. We some
what fear the Board of Directors were
elected in that interest, but they arc North
Carolinians, fully identified with her peo-
pie and her welfare. We ask no sacrifice
upon the part of that road, but only JUS
tice.
! Having lately passed over nearly the en-
tire length of the North Carolina Railroad,
we are much pleased with its condition. T.
1t is great work, and things look as if
they were we'll managed. Let neither po-
itical MOI personal preferences or preiudi-
ces control its management, and let it be
in reality as well as in name, The NORTH
Carolina Railroad, and it will become
great blessing to the State.