The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-05
EPISODES IN THE HISTORY
OF THE STATE.


Barringer on THE History of the Act
chartering the North Carolina Rail-
road" Gen. RarrjnSer was 4 member
of that famous General Assembly of
JS4S and 1919, and a prominent actor
in the matters he relates. He describes
the bitter sectionalism of that period;
the intense poverty of the people: the
inertia that prevailed: the hopeless
ness of the situation; the absence of
public spirit and OF any resolute pur-
pose to better existing conditions.
Truly the situation was deplorable.
The State officers, the members shc
lobby had to come to Raleigh by stage.
in buggies, or on horseback. 1t is
difficult to bring the picture TO the
mind of the present generations; but
there was no railroad West of Raleigh,
nor Southwark; the Raleigh & Castor
was bankrupt and could hardly be
operated ct all.
The General Assembly MAS a tie in
each House; but the members had the
good sense to agree speedily on a COM
T..
candidate for Speaker of the House,
Withdrew and the Democrats voted
with the Wings for Mr., Gilliarl. III
the Senate there WAS formal agree
ment entered on the journal by which
the Wings withdrew their candidate
Democratic candidate, some ccnces-
sions being made 10 the Wings.
AS to Internal improvements. the
Wings generally were willing for the
state to give some aid; on the other
hand the Democrats, for the most
part were holly opposed to the States
embarking in such enterprises. The
East was unwilling 20 help the West.
There was no movement for tny State
system; indie ed no particular thought
was given to that subject. There was
no daily paper in the State, only a few
weeklies: no telegraph lines Fracti-
calIy the whole State was in the back
woods.
But South Carofinians and Viz
einians wanted Il line through Char
lotte ana Greensboro 10 Danville; and
Gen. Barringer. Gov. Norchoad and
all the people on that proposed line
were jealous for that project. They
asked no state aid but only for
naked charter. The East, however,
was decidedly opposed to cutting the
state in two in that way.
Such was the situation when Mr..
Ashe, The Democratic Seator from New
Hanover and the leader Of his party
in the Senate, but who favored In
ternal improvements was asked TO
formulate q measure. He did SO. He
had no local interest TO subserve. Ills
standpoint was only that of the pa
triotic Statesman. His measure was 4
broad. North Carolina measure. 1t
was the backbone Of q North Carolina
system, affording facilities fo~ the
West, TO Charlottee, Salisbury and
Greensboro, aud to the centre of the
state: and keeping in view the welfare
and interest OF the State as COM
monwealth. For that period it was
grand project: and he proposed that
tent of two millions Of dollars. q vast
sum at that time. such bold and
extensive measure at first staggered
even those who had urged him to
formulate IL plan. But as far as
practicable his measure met every re-
quirement. No other measure would
have appealed so gnerally 10 support
It possessed great inherent strength
because il subScryed SO many loca!
interests. Gov. Morehead, however.
have appealed so generally TO support.
and while u. L. Caldwell, one of the
Representatives from Greensboro, and
John 4. Gilmer. the Senator from
Guilford. agreed to 1t. the. two other
representatives from Guilford opposed
ii to the last.
On the first ballot in the House
twen:y-seyen Wings refused TO sup
port it, while thirteen Democrats
voted for il. On that ballot the bill
failed: but on reconsideration seven
more Wings voted for it and also
four Democrats: and the measure
passed.
In The Senate three Democrats and
three Wings did not vote: and FIVE
Wings voted against it aud five Demo-
Gratis voted for It. TIKI. made a tie,
which Calvin Graves broke by voting
for the bill.
There were many side lights that
cannot be now seen; but 1t is we'll
known that Fayetteville had the pro-
ject of q Western Railroad of her
own and was opposed to this measure.
Mr.. .Ashe and Mr.. Dobbin We're like
brothers. and Mr. A;he prevailed OH
Mr.. Dobbiu 10 abandon for the time
the Fayetteville project and to be
content with the Fayetteville and
Western plank road extending to
Salem. On that condition Mr.. Doboin
With his influence, ard Mr.. MurchiSoa,
the Democrat from Cumberland, sup
ported this central railroad line; and
without their support the bill would
H..