Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-03-19
Mr. Winstaad advocated the mascara N

Mr. Winstead advocated the passage of
the bill, and asserted the right of the peo-
Pile in the counties through which the road
will pass, to demand the road. He thought
the bill cunstitutional-was willing, with
other bills, to have it Submitted to the peo-
pie for vote.
Mr. Robbins questioned Mr.. Winstead
on the constitutIonality Of the bill.
Mr.. Sweet was in favor OF Railroads.
doubted the policy of imposing additional
burdens on people already oppressed.-
He canVassed the oonstitutionality Of the
bill. and thought it would meet with the
same fate at tho hands of the Supreme
Court that the Chatham Road did. The
policy Of the State building roads all over
the State was new, and he hoped the bill
marks at length, und closed by proposing
submitted to the people.
Mr.. Lassiter advocated liberal system
of internal improvement, as necessary to
the prosperity of the State. He advocated
the passage Of the bill, and if the bonds
should be thought unconstitutional, that
question would be tested by the Supreme
Court, as in the case Of the Chatham Road.
He spoke of great benefits to result from
the construction of this road, not only to
North Carolina, but to the United States.
It would supply missing link to the chain
already reaching to ,the wealthy States of
the Understanding from the Atlantic to
the Pacific &c. The remarks of Mr.. l..
occupied some half hour.
Mr.. Sweet again occupied the floor and
replied to the arguments of Mr.. Lassiter.
Mr.. S. had opposed the extravagaut meas
ures that have been before this Senate,
and though in the minority, was proud of
his record, and would refer to it with
pride. He feared the reckless appropria-
tons already made by the Legislature
would have tendency to depreciate our
State credit. He advocated his amend
ment submitting the matter to the people,
and this course would make the bill Con-
stitutional.
Mr.. S. could count on the vote of the
Senator from Rockingham, against this
bill, &c
Mr.. Lindsay next addressed the Senate
III favor of the bill. He thought there
were periods in the proceedings Of this
Senate when even the Senator from Craven
did vote for, or was willing to support GER
tain Railroad measures. Mr.. l.. spoke of
the immense quantities of mineral-iron,
coal and lime, which would find market
if this road is established-these minerals
vera now locked up in the interior of
North Carolina. The building of the
Road would enable the people to pay their
taxes, &c. They were willing, his people,
to make liberal subscriptions to the Road.
Mr.. Robbins moved to amend the
amendment of Mr.. Sweet by submitting it
to the people on the 1st Thursday in Au
gust, 1869.
Mr.. r. had observed. with what ingen-
uity the word corporation was withheld
from the bill when, in fact, it was corpo-
ration, and the proposition was to loan
this corporation $4,000, ,OOO-therefore the
people of N. @. ought to say whether they
are willing to loan the credit of the State
to this corporation to the said amount. If
the people are willing to shoulder the bur-
then, then he was willing for all these rail-
roads to be built.
MIR. r. could see no propriety in the re-
marks of either of the Senators from Gran
Vile or Rockingham-all admitted the
main facts in regard to the minerals, &c.,
but they were no argument for passing a
bill which was clearly unconstitutional.
Mr.. Graham took grounds against the
DILL as unconstitutional. The decision of
the Supreme Court should not be fanked
by the omission of few words in the char
ter He made no insinuation, but locality
sometimes had powerful influence over
the opinions of men. Mr.. q. read from
the opinion of the Supreme Court in re-
gard to the constitutionality Of the Chat
ham Road, &c. If the bill is to be passed
the amendments of the Senator from
Craven was necessary. Opposed to the in
crease of the public debt-let the public
debt stand as it is, and ondeavor to meet
the interest thereon.
Mr.. Winstead again defended the bill,
ko1 %In ioht oR SI>
share in railroad facilities. It was q re-
markable fact, that opposition came from
Senators, living on railroads.
Mr. Cook advocated the passage of the
bijl-there was no attempt to get around
the Constitution-the simple proposition
was to build Railroad. Other sections Of
The State had applied for and obtained aid
why not help the section now applying
for aid. Capitalists, North, who grew fat
during the war, were anxious, and would
invest their money in these bonds Mr..
G. said North Carolina came out of tue
war with nothing but her name and her
honor, how can she build roads without
aid? Mr.. g. extended his remarks, earn
estly urging the passage Of the bill.
Mr.. Lindsay said, the road has been
characterized a Virginia road-he denied
this-it will not touch Virginia-it will be
q 16euor To all tu0 TOduS ia NOEbu OdI IOliIa.
Mr.. A. J. Jones had not cast his vote on
any bill of internal improvements-none
had come before him. He regretted to
see honorable Senators making local
question of this matter.
He would vote on all bills of internal
improvement when they are presented IN a
legitimate form. He was opposed, how
ever. to giving his vote to any measure in.
volving the State, before the revenue bill
was perfected. He wished to see all bills
asking appropriations, as this bill did, sub
mitted to the people of North Carolina for
their approval or rejection; he was not op'
posed to internal improvements. He
| would like to see the mountains of the
State, as well as Eastern Carolina, reaping
the benefits resulting from railroads and
works of internal improvements.
Mr.. Jones then moved to postpone the
further consideration of the bill till Wed
nesday next.
Mr. Barrow spoke of the extraordinary
powers which the bill. if passed, wonlc
place in the hands of its President. Ht
looked upon it as not only extraordinary
but unprecedented.
Mr.. Welker favored q postponement.
The question recurring on the motion t.
| Of