Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-07-23
LReported by o Spectator. ]

Mr.. CHAIRMAN Il rise, with much diff
fidence, to submit few remarks in answer
to the distinguished gentleman from New
bern, Mr.. Haughton. [ came here think
ing would not say one word about Con-
|sOlidation, but leave the question as to tho
e1pedi ency or inexpediency of this meas
ure, to be decided by the Stockholders,
themselves, believing them fully competent
TO do SO without any suggestion from me-
But, Mr.. Chairman, after listening to the
two speeches which the gentleman from
Newbern has made upon this subject, /
feel [ must say word or two in reply
The gentleman from Newbern takes the
ground that because the Legislature of this
State voted to submit the question of Con-
solidatiOn to the Stockholders of this Com
pany, that it should have great weight with
us in making up our minds What. Mr..
Chairman, has this distinguished Legisla-
ture done for this great corporation, that
should commend itself to our considera-
ton Has it passed any act THAI will add
one cent to your revenue Have they done
anything that will benefit the n. &. e. r. :?
No sir. On the contrary they have done
everything possible to originate competing
lines, which, if ever finished, will destroy
the Chatham Road to the South Carolina
line, which, when finished. win be the
shortest line from Columbia to the North =?
Did they not charter and make approprla-
tions to build the Ohio and Tennessee
Railroad, when it was we'll known that, the
projectors of that Road intended it to be
run, in connection with the Virginia and
Tennessee Road, making shorter line
North than ria the n. G. Il. Road ? Can
you, Mr.. Chairman, point out single act
of the present Legislature, with the cGcep-
ton of the appropriation to the w. n. 4.
r. e., but what was calculated to damage,
yea, to destroy this great work ?
Tho gentleman says that as this bll!
passed the Legislature by q large majority
it is o sure indication that it reflects the
wishes of four -ffths of the people Of the
State, because they are the opponents OF
public sentiment. God save the mark -
What measure of the Legislature reflects
public sentiment If grinding the people
into extreme poverty by exhorbitant taxa
ton reflects public sentiment then the LIE
gislature does express the views OF our
people, otherwise il does not. Look at
the names OF those members of the Legis-
lature who voted for this measure, and,
with few exceptions, they are men who
| are not identified in interest with the tax
payers of the State. A majority of those
voting for consolidation add but few dol
lars III the way of taxation to our revenue,
and what interest have they in our old
State? Nothing, sir; absolutely nothing.
But few OF them pay any tax at all, and
the only way they benefit 'sgood old North
Carolina is by making our laws, (such as
they are). at seven dollars per day. Yes.
sir; benefit "good old North Carolina !"
by paying a poll tax. and half of these for
Consolidation were too old even to pay
this pittance
| This Legislature that knew SO little, did
not represent the tax payers of the State
No. sir; the Lindsays and the members
who pay tax in North Carolina were not
represented.
Yet. sir, the gentleman from Newbern
says the Legislature passed the bill to CON