The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-28
Erldences of Progress.


There is perhaps no Southern State
which has within the past quarter of
% century made more substantial pro-
grcss than North Carolina, but It woUd
never be discovered If 1t depended
upon the amount of Boosting OF the parade
made over 10. Trumpet blowing is one Of the
accomplishments lu which her people have
not made much progress and 1t j. something
for which they don't show much inclination,
uot as much perhaps. as they should show
But North Carolina is getting there IN hcr
own quiet, matter-oi-t fact way all the same,
trumpet or no trumpet.
Among the evidences Of progress. of which
there are many. there are three which at hrrt
light strike the observer who views North
Carolina now and twenty-five years ago.
J These are tlc Increase ~ the number and IN
tne mileage of the railroads the Increase in
the number and productive capacity Of hcr
cotton mills and the rapid growth OF her
towns and cities their Improvement and the
yriel industries which have sprung up with
( them.
Ne have frequently when discoursing on
the future of this state expressed the be-
lief that she would some day be- the greatest
railroad state ~ the South. II not ia the
Union. with moro railway mileage 10 the
SQUARE uh.e oi territory than alY other state
IN the south Tho more We reflect ON the
progrc OK railway building ga tie past TWEEN
tr-hve years the progress at present. and
compare fhe North Carolina OF to-day with
tine North Carol ina If even ten years ago, Tie
more confirmed we aielu that beleL
With rugged highlands along most or her
northern border swelling INTO mountains rs
you go westward the great through railway
limos coming southwest must get south OF
these TO find practicable way o. the south
western country which they seek. Covering
Tie territory between the Blue Ridge and the
sea size must nrcesslrlr become the highway
..' . 3. pr ..Tf u
OIL thls . lo o. the mountain ranges. There
is no choice ab.utlt f.T tue only other prDctl-
cab.y way Is north OF these towering barriers
From an opposite direction tue Western
systems Of roads seeking outlets 10y south At
l4nfic soauOrts will be compelled. more or
less. 10 use Lcr territory az a highway and
thus get the shortest aud most practicable
routes from the West 10 the south Atlantic
.o4board There are three or four roads now
ur1er c0Usilcrat on or construction pointing
tli. way. all obi which will be built Ia the near
future Asoue system VIII pass through lu o
southwestern direction tic other VIII pass
through in "a soutlcasterly direction. giving
mot simply parallel Ines. but line, IN entirely
different directions thus developing more
TERRITORY and presenting better facilities TOR
transport iti0n .Or the different sections oil the
State than amy number OF parallel roads
could present.
n is generally. though not always the case
tiat where railroads cross each other towns
spring up. Railroad centres make large and
Iouus.ing towns
These two reasons, even if there were 70
railroad enterprise among our people. would
eventually make North Carolina great rai-
road state But our people have railroad en-
torprise 70 a great degree, which is shown by
the fact that out of the s12000.010 or
more of railroad property il tAis state.
that beius the valuation of her 5000
miles of railway with equipment. all
but about two and half millions IS
owned by North larolnians, showing
which we do not believe can bee mado by amy
other Southern State. and by but few # any.
TWENTY-FIVE years ago have increased TO sixty.
and the mileage of less than 800 TO 5000 miles,
nearly all the work of her own people. And
yet they Invent done any trumpet blowing
about H. VINO that thinks OF these things
~ be great railroad State:-Wilmlngton
Star