Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-02-02

amend the bill, In the FIRST section. bv
striking out the words on the easterly
line of the State Of New-York., and in.
sert on the westerly line of Massachu-
setts." The reason Of this was, Mr.. s.
said, because the bill did not point out
distinctly what direction the Railroad
should take. The easterly line of New
York extended from the east end Of Long
Island TO near st. Lawrence river. about
four hundred miles; the amendment. if
adopted, would carry the road through
the county of Berkshire.
MIR. Shaw, Of Lanesbolo' suggested to
the mover of the amendment. 10 insert
the words through Springfield so that
the direction would then be distinctly
pointed out--from Boston through
Springfield to the westerly line Of Massa-
chusetts.
Mr.. Strong adopted this modification
OF his amendment, and made few ,ssrs
gestlons in support of it. When we
were about starting on an expensive and
laborlons enterprise, he thought it expe-
dent and wise to know where we are
going.
MIR. Makepeace opposed the amend.
ment. He thought the mover of it Ia.
boured under mistake, and he referred
to the bill TO show that no such inds-
tInctnes existed, as he apprehended. Mr.,
M. also made few remarks in reply 10
Mr.. Hudson, in reference to the errors
IN the calculations Of the commissioners
in some Of which he believed Mr.. Fl.
was mistaken he admitted that the
statement of that gentleman in regard 10
the difference in elevation between
Greenfield and Springfield, was correct.
Mr.. G. Blake opposed the amendment.
The direction of the road was left, as it
should be, with the commissioners. They
had as deep an interest in the project as
any inhabitants of the Commonwealth.
He would not have them pinned down 10
southern route, but would leave them
at liberty to select such one as should
seem best on more mature investigation.
Should the bill pass, and subscriptions
be filled up by moneyed men. matter so
deeply interesting would doubtless receive
the best attention which men of interri.
~ and intelligence could bestow on it.
and all local considerations be thrown
out of view.
Mr.. Perkins was very sorry that the
amendment had been proposed. He
was sorry that any member favourable to
the Railway should raise any objections
to the bill. For his part he should not
object to any route. IL The route
through Springfield were as good as any
other, he should prefer it, because It
would pass near where he liyed-but il
the northern direction was better, he
would not object to that. Bnt it must
60 through Berkshire, where there was
iron and marble enough to supply the
wants of Boston.
Mr.. Shaw advocated the amendment.
because he thought it right that laws
should be framed in an ineligible man
ner, and in language that could be easily
understood. The amendment ought to
prevail because every one understands
that the intention of the friends Of tho
Railway is, that it shall 90 through
Springfield. All the surveys and reports
Of commissioners and engineers tend to
that point. Is not (said Mr.. ST. the
Commonwealth crippled in all her resour-
ces-her spirit of enterprise depressed.
and are not all her young men flying
away. as from the wrath to come This
was plan 10 restore the State to its for.
mer prosperity, and expectation should
not be disappointed. Was it not an OBJ
ject for the people to know where and in
what direction this Railway should be
located "a Railway which was to bene-
fiji not only the people Of this State but
those of New-York and Ohio rMr. !.
Shaw was here interrupted by Mr.. Da-
ma, Of Cambridge, who asked if the gen.
tleman from Lanesboro' could discuss the
merits Of the bill, when the motion was
to amend The Speaker said no gentle.
man could be interrupted, but by call
to order. He did not perceive that the
gentleman from Lanesboro' was out Of
order. Mr.. Dana said, if he was not,
then will set down. Mr.. Shaw res
pended, i'll am out of order, is il for me
to sit down.. Mr.. Shaw proceeded, and
said, this interruption had only served to
soften the zeal with which he was adyo-
eating proposition to favour the pas.
sage Of the bill for he thought that, till
the route Of the railway we're known
many would be unwilling to vote for it.
Some definite course should be pointed
out. 1t was magnificent project to in
vite the trade from New-York, Ohio, aud
the still more western regions, and it
was important to individuals to know
where it was to be located. The state
too, which is to be, in some form or 9th.
er. at the bottom of all the expense, ought
to have some more definite knowledge.
His friend from Boston Mr.. Blake) wish
ed it left to the commissioners, who he
acknowledged had deep interest in tho
plan. He (Mr., S. objected to this. Ifleft
TO the commissioners, it would be carried