NP, CW 9/5B/1864

From the Carolina Watchman (Salisbury, N. C.)
 
September 5, 1864
  
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Western N. C. Railroad Company
Statesville, Aug. 25, '64
 
   The Ninth Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Western N. C. Railroad Company was convened this day in the Court House. On motion of Dr. J. F. Foard, John I. Shaver was called to the Chair and J. J. Bruner and C. A. Carlton requested to act as Secretaries.
   The committee on proxies reported a majority of the stock represented. The Chairman announced the meeting organized and ready for business.
   The State's proxy was now handed in by Col. A. Mitchell.
   On motion of M. L. McCorkle, Esq., the reading of the reports of the officers of the Company was dispensed with, on the grounds that the reports were printed and in the hands of the Stockholders present.
   On motion of Dr. J. F. Foard, the reports of the officers were received and adopted.
   On motion of W. P. Caldwell, Esq., the meeting proceeded to the election of four Directors.
   The following gentlemen were put in nomination: Jonas Cline, of Catawba; A. Henderson, of Rowan; Dr. J. F. Foard, of Rowan; John Hunt, of Burke; John Malone, of McDowell; R. A. Caldwell, of Rowan; Dr. John McDowell, of McDowell.
   While the tellers were counting the votes, Dr. J. F. Foard asked leave to read a letter from Capt. James M. Goodman, A. Q. M. at Salisbury, having reference to securing forage for the army of Gen. Lee, urging the producers to send forward all their surplus immediately.
   Capt. Myers, Commissary at Salisbury being present, also urged the farmers to send in bread and meat supplies for the brave defenders of our country.
   W. P. Caldwell, Esq., offered the following preamble and resolution:
   Whereas, It is the opinion of the Stockholders of the W. N. C. R. R. Company that it is injurious to their interest to farm out any of the property or franchises of their Company, to an independent Company, and believing the R. R. Company can transport all articles over the road with as much safety and dispatch as the Express Company and believing that all profits of transportation ought to be made by the R. R. Company;
   Resolved, That the Board of Directors are instructed to terminate their contract with the Southern Express Company, (after giving due notice) and that they confer with the North Carolina Rail Road Company, and other Rail Roads, with the view to make such combined arrangements with said Road, as to insure to all persons safe and expeditious transportation of their property, money and effects, over the Roads under the charge and management of their own Agents and Messengers.
   W. F. McKesson, Esq., of Burke, responded in favor of the resolution, and congratulated the Company on the presentation of this measure in an eloquent and patriotic speech.
   F. E. Shober, Esq., of Salisbury, followed in a few excellent and appropriate remarks.
   The tellers of the election returned and reported the following: Whole number of votes polled, 12,027 -- necessary to a choice, 6,140. Jonas Cline received 10,411, J. C. McDowell 12,016, J. A. Hunt 8,793, John Malone 9,053, R. A. Caldwell 2,424, A. Henderson 4,269, C. A. Carlton 1,183, J. F. Foard 127, J. I. Shaver 15, whereupon it was declared that Jonas Cline, J. C. McDowell, J. A. Hunter and John Malone were duly elected.
   The discussion of Mr. Caldwell's resolution was resumed and advocated by Dr. John F. Foard.
   The question of adoption was called and the resolution passed unanimously.
   On motion of W. F. McKesson, Esq., the pay of the Directors was raised to 25 cents per mile while traveling on business for the Company.
   A debate sprung up upon the motion and was participated in by W. F. McKesson, S. R. Erwin and Dr. A. M. Nesbit in favor, and M. L. McCorkle opposed. The question being called, resulted in the adoption of the resolution.
   F. E. Shober, Esq., offered the following resolution and advocated it, in a few appropriate remarks, which was unanimously adopted:
   Resolved, That the salaries of the President and Treasurer of the W. N. C. R. R. Co. be increased to $4,000 per annum.
   On motion of W. F. McKesson, Esq., that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Salisbury Watchman and the Iredell .
   On motion of W. F. McKesson, Esq., that the same Finance Committee be continued. Adopted.
   On motion of W. F. McKesson, Esq., that M. L. McCorkle and D. B. Gaither be a Committee to verify proxies at the next annual meeting.
   On motion, That the Chairman appoint a Committee of three to investigate the Road and report to next meeting. Appointed Hugh Reynolds, M. L. McCorkle and T. G. Walton.
   On motion, the thanks of the meeting be and are hereby tendered to the Chairman and Secretaries for the performance of the duties, &c.
    On motion, the meeting adjourned.
John I. Shaver, Prest.
J. J. Bruner, C. A. Carlton, Secretaries

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