The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-11-17
~ Hl--4A.s . "a For the Standard.
HThc Train Has Arriv.' af

To-day's mail (Nov. o. has brought me
sundry copies of the very labored and
idiosyncratic address of President Smith, of
the North Carolina Railroad, to the stock
holders, in which lie attempts so lnde-
fatigably to throw dust into their eyes ,and
make it appear that the efforts to t'1lease''
the road was natural and proper affair. It
is not the most remote purpose of mine to
take issue with the President on the con
tents of his latest literary progeny, but as
he has seen fit to give me more than my
share of his appreciative attentions it may
be proper to set myself right on the points
where assailed. The President wishes to
throw the cause OF my absence from that
now known to have been important meeting
on myself. I knew it was the regular bi-
monthly meeting and was notified.
1. Twas aware that the bylaws provided
for this meeting, but also knew the bylaws
were not above the power the President
claimed to vary them and postpone regular
meetings.
9. Since l have been Director in every
case of regular meeting have been noti-
fed and expected such notice this time, and
not receiving it naturally supposed that By
authority there was another postponement.
g. did receive a notice several days after
the appearance of the editorials in the
STANDARD and Sentinel referring 10 my
absence. Iwish to say here that Mr.. Stagg,
Secretary of the company, am satisfied, did
his duty in the matter, ard it never occurred
to me that he was to blame for my not get
ting the notice lido not pretend to account
for the fact that it took this notice about
twenty days to reach me this time, and in
this case only, and when it did come it had
no mark of being missent or remailed.
1. The President further states that am
opposed 10 the lease of the Road, but would
favor its sale. g..
I have opposed the alienation of the road
under any form, believing it to be a valua-
bic property which could not be let or sold
to other parties without damage to the State,
and opposed its sale in the General Assem-
bly, last winter. .
g But if the State and the stockholders
cannot keep tiff it must be parted with,
nolens volens, then,I am in favor of SHEA
fair public sale after due notice has been
given. l am opposed to peddling so great
State interest out in this small secret man.
ner. If the State has no one man who can
manage the road successfully, then let her
get all she can in sale open TO all parties.
If this miserable lease is perpetIated on the
people, it will he matter of regret with me
that did oppose its sale last session of the
General Assembly. NOD. r.. ' Ell. Es-
3. l could be no party to this transaction
because as a Director on the part OF
the State | was not appointed to
lease it. The State nor the Stockholders in
their annual meeting never intimated a
wish to sell or lease it, and would it not be
arrogance in me, unmoved and unsolicited
to ALLEVIATE so great property without
even condos ending to consult them or let
them know of such intention. To me this
savors of presumption if it do not have
other conceivable cause.
Not believing in the tnfallibilhy of fig
ures it is not worth whlet analize them; the
joint product of the President, his Secretary
and the Attorney for the Company. Neith-
er will l allow myself to speak of the
unparallelledproceedure of parties transcend
ing the purport of their appointment and
yet the strangest thing of all was that atts,
this lease finger should be pointed at a
ring" Lord what is man? 1t was only
however to show why was not at the Di-
rectors meeting. Even the notice did not
say it would be an important one. Also to
say why and under what pressure only
would favor its sale
. -t-- G. VIM WELKER.