Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-06-20
the. NORTH CAROLINA RAILROAD.
Calvin Graves, James G. DObbim
and Alexander MurchisOn.


A correspondent of the Raleigh
News says:
The Fayetteville Statesman, noticing
our recent article in relation to the
passage of the Central Railroad charter
in 1913, claims for James G.. Dobbin
and Alexander Murchison equal credit
with Calvin Grares for the securing of
the charter. We would not detract TO
the slightest extent from the credit
due to those distinguished representa-
tives of Cumberland. We know that
the charter referred to was detrimental
to the interests of Fayetteville, and
that Cumberland, in common witt,
other localities not Immediately to be
benefited by the charter. most gener-
erously surrendered everything for t'.e
time being Cor the general good. 1t Is
| true, however, that Fayetteville was not
| entirely forgotten at the time, for an
appropriation was made at the same
| session of $50, 900 for the Plank Road
from that place to Salem, the eXpecta-
| ton being that {. Railroad would, after
a while. take the place OF the Plank
Road. Fayetteville vas thus assured,
as far as it could then be done, of an
enterprise that would tap the Central
Road, and draw thence to her a part
of the Northwestern counties.
The Legislature of 1913 was almost
equally divided politically i'll both
branches. The Senate was tied as be-
tween the Wings and Democrats, and
week elapsed before Mr.. Graves
was elected Speaker over Col. Joyner.
A number of ballots took place in the
TT L l. i
by the election of Mr.. Gillian as
Speaker, and was accomplished only
when Mr.. Dobbin periodically with
drew from the contest. This left Mr..
Dobbin and Mr.. Stanly on the floor
of the House as leaders of their res
pective parties in the great cause of
internal improvements while in the
Senate this cause was sustained and
pressed by such men as Joyner, Gil
mer, Patterson, Thomas, Ashe, and
many others who might be mentioned.
The pressure was intense and
continued for the Richmond and Dan
vile charter, then called the YadkIn
and Danville Railroad, aUhich asked no
appropriation, Jut simply tie right 10
construct the aOOrE. The charter for
the Central Road was deemed utterly
hostile to the Piedmont Road.
The Mecklenburg country, the great
West to a considerable extent, and
Stokes, Rockingham and Caswell re-
gions, which Mr.. Graves i'll part re-
presented, were deeply concerned for
the Piedmont line from Danville to
Charlotte, and opposed to the Central
line. It is probable that nearly every
constituent that Mr.. Graves had, was
opposed to the casting vote which he
gave. He knew that, by giving it, he
would consign himself, as he did, for
the residue of his days to private life.
He felt that many of his own party
would misunderstood him, would de-
nounce him and prosecute him, which
they did. But he looked with steady
gaze to the great interests of posterlty,
and, rising to the demands of the oc-
casion, he gave the vote, the appropri
alton was secured, and the road was
built. But for Graves, in vain would
have been the efforts and sacrifices of
the patriots of both parties in both
Houses for this great work. We feel,
while anxious to do Justice to all, that
we have claimed for Calvin Graves
nothing more than he deserves. Mon
uments of granite, or marble, or brass
amount to little. They but image forth
what is in the heart. They perish in
the course of time, but ever as the en-
CINE thunders over plain and through
gorge, from the mountains to the sea,
will the name of Graves and the noble
band of patriots who voted for the
charter of the Central Road be CRATE
fully remembered by our people. Fl.
The Shah at Berlin.
For the first time in his life Naser-
ed-Din, the successor of Darius and
Xerxes, the lord of desert bound
| Teheran, has beheld truly European
and Western capital. With what Won
der must he gaze upon the long rows
of great square blocks. the solid, and,
to his Eastern eye used to pinnacle,
dome and minaret, uncOuth cathedrals
and churches, the heavy, towerless
palaces, the well paved streets, and
long reaching outrageous promenldes!
Nor will he be so wholly absorbed in
inanimate works of art that he viii be
unobservent of men, women and Gus
tom. In the place of the swarthy
Persian, the soft, subtle Georgian, the
Turcoman, with his long, shaggy locks,
the high-cheeked Bokharan and the
fierce afghan, he sees the fair, square
smile and thick-set form. Between
the Shah and the Emperor there
is all the contrast between CYRUS
and Odin For jewelled tur-
ban and many-colored tunic, he be-
holds the dull dignity of broacloth and
"stove-pipes" and he must gaze with
wonder upon the mighty potentate
who condescends to shake hands and
chat and laugh with subjects who do
not fall npon their knees before him.
Indeed, to this absolute Eastern prince,
who has come all this way amid ever
increasing novelty, the aspect of Will
liam's court and capital must seem as
tonishingly free and easy and demo-
cratic !; here rules a man who never
was known to cut off a Prime Minis
ter's head, and who actually walks the
streets undistinguishable in dless and
manner from the common herd around
him. The applause of the multitude,
as the prince of the World rides in
the state coaches through the streets,
sounds oddly to his ears, for he has
been used only TO prostrations and muir
murs of profoundest awe.
But the gallant cd Kaiser will dis
play to his guest one pageant which
will not fail to strike even an Oriental
fancy with admiration. Naser-ed-Din
will not look without emotion upon the
long lines of stalwart and helmetted
soldiery, with their formidable height.
their broad shoulders, ,their firm faces.
their perfect discipline and ponder
Gus tread, which he will pass in review.
Will the thought occur to him that
this great Emperor may some day use
these troops to aid in :hc destruction
of the Persian monarchy ? For Viii
liam has just got back from his visit to
his nephew the Gar; and over their
their champagne and nuts these two, we
may be sure, have not failed to talk over
the Asian question. Even while he es-
corts the handsome Young Shah along
the glittering ranks, William may be
musing over the prospective conquest
of his guest by his Russian ally
Persia is in Russia's way; and Russia
is not prone to spare an obstacle in her
path. Already Russian troops are
quartered on the Persian shore of the