The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1881-10-27
Railroad Meeting In Edgecombe
County.

Haiiroad Meeting In EdgeCombe
County.
A meeting OF representative citizens
oil Edgecombe, all sections being well
represented. was held in Tarboro on
the 18th Of October. Gen. w. O.. Lewis
was called to the chair. and +. Powell.
Esq. requested to act a. Secretary. The
chairman called upon Walter l.. Will
Hanson, Esq TO explain the object Of
the meeting. which he did in good
ST. lie.
Walter p. William ON. II. l.. Station
ST., John A. Davis, b, j, Kcech, and
Dr.. ". Lawrence were appointed 3
committee to DRAFT resolutions.
Mr.. Williamson read the report viz.
The people of Eigecombe without
regard to party distinctions, view
ing with alarm the constantly
growing power Of monopolies so
generally used IN TIE way of
e,tortion and unjust and oppressive
determinations against the cities aud
towns of the State of North Carolina,
have met in convention to protest in the
name Of the commercial aud a%gricultu-
IA, interest Of our people against the
course Of certain railroads, chartered
10y the Legislature OF and built by the
people of North Carolina, in promo
ting the interests Of other States at the
expense of our own.
We recite with Indignation the fact
that since the Wilmington and Weldon
Railroad passed in the control OF syn
dic4te operated under the style and
name of the Richmond and DaLville
Railroad Company, the charges foI
transporting bread-stutfs and provisions
have been advanced in some instances
as much as one hundred aud ten per
cent. on almost all articles. Mer-
chandise twenty five per cent, and on
cotton fifty cents a bale, notwithstand-
ing the former rates were exceptions
bly, profitable to the concern, and this
was done at a time when in consequence
of the unprecedented drouth during
the present year doing 40 much dam
age TO the farmers, the water IN Roam
oke and Tar Rivers became SO low that
navigation was stopped. placing us
without a competing line altogether at
the mercy Of the Richmond and Dan
vile people.
In directing public attention to the
gross outrage peipetrated on Ed e
combe county, We do also as an integral
portion of the frue people Of North
Carolina protest against the course Of
the same monopoly in crushing with its
relentless hands other sections of the
State. using as instruments to this
deadly end the very corporations crea
ted by the Safe of North Carolina.
We must have relief, and believing
that corporations, the creation of the
State, should be controlled by the State,
we appeal to the General Assembly Al
its uext session to enact a law, similar
to that which now obtains with such
5eneficient results in the State Of Geor-
.ia, giving existence to a Railroad
Commission with plenary powers to reg
ulate freight and passenger charges GA
a basis fair and equable alike to the
railroads and the people. making it i'm
possible that hereafter the industries Of
North Carolina shall be ground down
in order that the unjust and extortion-
ate deman Is of ~monopolies shall sue
coed in as full measure as only their
greed could suggest.
Understanding, as we do, that with .
view of putting an efficient check upon
the excessive ohlrges, unjust discriml-
nations and the entertainments upon
the rights ofthe public by monopolies,
the Hon. Iebulon b. Vance has taken
a firm stand III defense of the people of
the State, we recognize in his conduct
that of an honest and honorable public
officer who has the courage and manll-
moss RI dafv tho threats Of the afOrpS "a i'll
powerful monopoly, choosing rather to
serve, as the conscience dictates, the
people of North Carolina who trust
him, than to cringe to this foreign mo-
nopoly-an enemy to the State-whlch
seeks to impair her progress and ma
terial welfare. In common, therefore,
with our brethren in the vicinity OF
Battleboro. we enjoin upon him not to
relax his efforts in this direction, but to
lay on sledge-hammer blows from the
coming of the sun to the going down
thereof; then will he deserve and have
at the hands Of the State he loves SC
well the plaudit "Well done, thou
good and faithful servant"
The report of the committee was
unanimously adopted. The allusion tc
Senator Vance was met with great APP
plause. Capt. w. w. Carroway being
present, was invited to take a sea,
within the bar.
Farmer and Mechanic and other pa.
pers requested to copy.