Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-01-06

RICHMOND, ItCetADer ~. 1851
"- We have bill reported which
viii effect some change, perhaps some i'm
provement in our present inefficient and mis-
cradle road-system Ii proposes to haveCon-
Ilissioners Of roads appointed, annually, by
the county courts. Every application Tor a
new road or alteration of an old one to the
county court is to be referred to- some three
or more Of the said road commissioners, who
are to report to the county court the advan
tageS and disadvantages, conyeniences and
Inconvenience likely to result, and whether
any other route would be preferable, and up
on their report the court is to act. HE Sc
veral counties are to be divided into precintcs.
The repairing and opening of the roads IS 10
be let after due notice to the lowest bidder,
who is to give bond and good security for the
performance. The commissioners before the
having of the county levy, to report their
contracts to the county courts for their ap-
prevail or rejection. To defray the expenses,
the court Is TO assess and levy. upon the tith
ablcs. the lands, rents of houses and lots and
other taxable property. To make such levy,
all the acting justices Of the county must have
been summoned, and majority must be ar-
tually present. The court is also to assess
the valae Of the labor, per diem, of each per.
son who is subject to the levy, and it is to be
at the option Of such person TO pa, in labour
or cash. This IS an exceedingly meagre
sketch of the bill, but gives the prominent
features. IL is impossible to say what chan
ges 1t may undergo, or whether it NAV not
be altogether thrown out. We have had no
thing, as yet, before the house to call forth
much discussion or effort Some of the Com
mlttees have been working hard, and the dis
cussloRs there have been quite animated par
tlcalarly the Committees of Privileges aud
III II. -
dietary IS, as yet. untouched, except by re-
solutions Of enquiry. &c.
tT"in Congress on Wednesday, little was
done besides the progress made in the trial
OF Judge Peck Three other witnesses were
examined tor the u. States, and some docu.
hents hied. wereupon Mr.. Buchanan obser
vei, that the managers for the impeachment
here rested the ease. MIR. WHIT was called
to Baltimore, by the illness OF one oshis fam
lily, IN consequence Of which, the Senate adj
journed to Monday.
On "Wednesday, Mr.. Dickerson moved an
Amendment 10 the Constitution of the United
States, restricting Presidential eli gibility to
tf0 terms very unnecessary.
In the House nothing of general interest
was done.
From the following article, copiedfrom the
Pittsburg Gazette Of last Friday. ii will be
seen that our Western Canal friends are a.
i've on the subject oil an appropriation on
the part oil Congress 10 the Western division
oil tins great work, and we most heartily wish
them SUCCESS
''Chesapeake and Ohio Caaal.-Our rea-
ders will perc i've. by an article under our
congressional head, that the Hon Charles L
Mercer, member from Virginia. and the
President OF the Chesapeake and OHIO Canal
Company, has introduced a memorial, pray :
ing for subscription of stock 20 the western
division OF this truly national work. We no.
ice this matter now for the purpose Of call
ing the attention OF our readers 10 tue sub
Ject, and oil suggesting the pfopriety of call
ing meeting ofthe citizens of this county,
Tor the purpose OF siren. thcning the hands Of
the friends of this application to Congress.
The recent declaration of the President.
IN his Message. that it was inexpedient and
improper tor the government To become a
stockhoider with individuals, is at first sight
Calculated to destroy the hopes OF the friends
oil TINS great improvement; but, upon reflec-
ton, 1t viii be perceived that there are rea-
sons why ihls opinion should not operate so
forclbly in this case, The President does
not say that such subscription would be un
constitutional; he merely says il would be in,
expedlent. In this case, however. it So hap
Ftho 'udt NOHEicSS nave ieSlStd.eU. they did
also. during the administration Of mir A
dams. subscribed one milton If dollars to the
eastern end oftiis canals so that the govern
ment Is already in for it. and being in for a
penny, they may as well be in for pound
Besides. this nstiion is appropriated, and
will unquestlonably be expended. there is no
human power which Can prevent II: and ;r
the whole work is not completed, this sum
will be almost thrown away On the other
hand, II a further appropriation be made and
the whole work completed, the sum will be
proiitably invested
''Many arguments might be urged in IA
vor OF this application but we deem it only
necessary to cali the attention of our citizens
to this matter An application is now before
Congress for subscription TO the western
section OF this great improvement; if il sue.
ceeds the work will be commenced at Pitts
burSh aud along the Monongahea next saring.
The simple question, then, for the esasder
alton OF our citizens, is this: win you look ON
at The exeItIons of MIR. Mercer in listless in.
activity, or will you evince that same energy
ana enterprise which you have eyinced upon
so many occasions?''
The Orange Election On "Wednesday
last, under the new wri, Of election issuel IN
the Sheriff OF Orange, there was a secan6
trial OF strength between Gov. Barbour and