The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-30
The Change Of Gauge.

The Charlotte (N. c. Observer quotes an
article from the Salisbury Waterman which
rather fayors the change Of gauge, and then
adds:
"Thc Greensboro Patriot and the Nc,o
North State have expressed very nearly the
same opinion. The Winstead Sentinel and
The Goldsboro' Messenger make no editorial
comment, but both pipcrs publish on their
editorial page an article from the Richmond
Dispatch arguing that the change of gauge
will not only work no harm to the people Of
North Carolina, but that the State will
actually gain by it. The StateSville Land.
mark, Hlllsboro' Recorder, and Durham
Tobacco Plant. seem to view the question
through Raleigh spectacle>. The Newberne
journal Of Commerce also agrees with the
Raleigh press. The Southern Home de-
uounces this interference OF 4 foreign corpo-
ration in strong terms The democrat re-
grcts TO see our State cut in two in this way.
but expresses no opinion as TO whether the
isht should be kept up or not. Most OF the
other week.-Mrs. OF the State have had nothing
to say on the subject except to announce the
fact.
The Wilmington journal, if we are not
mistaken, has not commented editOrially OH
the subject: but we were rather surprised to
see the Wilmington Star, usually very con-
Scryutiye. tlking extreme ground and advo-
catin" continuance Of the war. If any
town or city in the State is to be benefited
! bv this change of gauge it isSurely Whining
ton. since, rs tar rs it is possible to do such
thing, il will force trade to Wilmington.
/ Cas- loaded at Old Fort, the western termi-
nus of the Western North Carolina railroad.
can go through to Wilmington without
breaking bulk, and Wilmington is DOW
the only point at which freight from the
West can Reach Underwater without
breaking bulk. This WAS not so before
The change Of gauge: 1t all the trade OF
North Carolina bad been pouring into and
building up the Sea-coa>t cities Of our own
State and this change Of gauge was going TO
divert it and draw it off to Virginia, then we
could see some reason III this violent oppo-
stiou TO the move, but it is well known that
such was not and there was no probability
OF such being the case. Wilmington, the
ONLY port that we ever had any pros pect Of
building up, will probably be benefited by
the change. We have doubts rs to whether
the shippers of Western North Carolina will
be seriously Inconvenience by it, as the
Wilmington route North will probably be As
cheap and expeditions as the other.
Ii We are rightly informed. it Is not tn"
nurposc Of the Richmond and Danvlle Com
Dlnv TO 2iriie North Carolina, but, If they
! are allowed to 90 on with their work, rather
10 unite and promote her interests by follow.
ing I'D the gauge from Greensboro east, so
4, to organize an efficient highway through
ont the length and breadth OF the State, em-
bracing the Western and Central districts,
and in harmony with those connections both
north and south, and east and west, which
are essential to its success. We are clearly
Of the opinion that it is against the true it
! tercsts of North Carolina to offer any OppC-
! sition to q continuation OF this change OF
! gauge to GoldSboro', which may probably
( lead to its continuation also to Morebead
/ CITY, thus establishing from eastern tide.
water in the State through its centre "A
! line in harmony with all the connections
/ southwest aud west as soou as the Western
road is completed. This latter road, when
COMPLETED. will certainly be Of gauge cor
| responding with the roads Of Tennessee and
! other roads southwest with which 1t con.
! meets, which is FIVE feet. Teen we shall have
at least two great highways through the
Statc-nortbeaSta and southwest, and east ana
west-with connections the very best for all
| the interests that can be served by them.
! The extension of the gauge from Greens.
boro' 10 Goldsboro', and perhaps 10 More.
| head CITY, will probably induce the compile
ton of the Western road. With these facts
before US, we must think that any obStruc.
tions thrown in the way of continuation
of this change of gauge OF The North Caro-
lima road is ill.advised aud against the best
Interests of the people of the State.