Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

senteQ TINS morning, was one Dy Mr.. Howard,
Of Maryland, from the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road Company, which was referred. on motion
Of MIR. II. to the same Committee of the Whole
to which was referred bill No. us, which pro-
poses loan to the city Of Washington of $780,
900 dollars to enable 1t to pay up the instaIments,
as they become due, upon its subscription to the
capital stock Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
Company. la proposing this reference, Mr.. H.
said that he disclaimed, both for himself and the
memorialists. every feeling Of unkindness towards
the city OF Washington. Neither was there the
slightest disposition TO interfere in the local con-
Germs Of any part of the District Of Columbia;
aud tor fear that such inference might be drawn
from the contents and reference of the memorial,
he begged leave TO explain, succinctly. the OBJ
ject which the petitioners had in view, and their
for presenting themselves to the notice OF
the House at all.
! 1t is well known, said Mr.. H. that most un-
! fortunate controversy had existed between these
two companies, for some time past, which had
resulted in the acknowledgement, BY the Courts
Of Justice, of the exclusive right, on the part Of
the Canal Company, to The lett bank ut the Pc.
| romac river. At the last session of the Legisla.
ture Of MARYLAND, resolution was passed ex-
pressing their wishes that the Canal Company
would permit the Rail Road Company to ascend
the river to Harper's Ferry, being distance of
twelve miles from the point where the Rail Road
struck the river. A General Meeting of the
Stockholders of the Canal Company was called
To consider this proposition, which resulted in It's
rejection. At the present session Of the Lpsis-
laiure, the Governor, in transmitting his annual
| message, complained Of this course, and com
mit,ee was appointed to make personal inspec.
ton of the ground, with view of satisfying
| themselves and the Legislature, whether there
was or was not room for the convenient accom-.
madatOn ri both works over these twelve miles.
The committee had made report strongly con-
demnng the conduct of the Canal Company,
single paragraph of which Mr.. Ii. begged leave
to read. Ii was as follows:
BY this disregard of the expressed wish of
the State, by using, to Cypress and destroy the
interests Of her People, powers generously grant
ed by the State, aware as she was. that their be-
ncfcial results wosld chiefly enlarge and enrich
communities without her borders, 1t is the OPT
MON of your committee, which they shrink
not from decidedly expressing, that the Chesa-
prake and Ohiu Canal Company has no claim to
the favorable consideration Of the Legislature
and People Of Maryland that the State owes 1t
to its own character, and to the interests OF her
People, to prevent the abuse OF privileges grant
ed BY her; and that, without seeking to recall
4 q
ty, did she not now set bounds to the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal Company. and use all the means
in her power to teach that company and all other
corporations, that they may not safely defy the
sovereign authority"
What course the Legislature might eventual.
" take; whether they would adopt the resolu-
tons reported by the committee, which proposed
an inquiry, throug the Judiciary. whether for.
fe,ture of the charter would not soon ensue; and
which proposed also an order to the State Trea-
surer to withhold the payment OF subsequent IN.
stainents, Me-. H. said, neither he nor the me.
moriaiists could tell. But as the matter was
now pending before that body, and as the com
mitttees of hi, house had adopted neutral pc.
siiOn between these two companies IN the re.
ports hitherto made upon the subject, all that the
mem0ralists prayed for was. that the House
would not now. by any legislation, depart from
the impartial attitude hitherto assumed
There was only one fact, Mr.. ii said, which
appeared to be disputed, which was this: When
the proceedings of the State had been adopted.
it was supposed that the location of the canal
was close TO the bank Of the river, and that the
Company had removed its position nearer to the
hills after the desire of the State was known,
that room should be afforded TO the Rail Road to
pass along by its side. The Directors of the Ca
nal allege that this change was adopted prior to
the expression Of any opinion By the Legislature
of Maryand; the difference was not very mate
rial between the original adoption of, or inf1exbe
perseverance in. plan against which the State
had placed herself IN Wig .rnus opposition
Mr.. IL SAID that he wished TO repeat that the
city Of Washington WAS not considered by the
menorallsts as the effet Give party TO be benefit
ted by the proposed legislation; but that the Ca
nal Company was to be solely kept in view; and
all that was desired IN the memorial as respected
that Company was that the Government would
continue to maintain an impartial position; SO that
the great interests of the Nation might be uiti
mately promoted by an encouragement of that
mode of communicating with the West, which
experience might prove to be most likely to con
duce to the general good
Tie memorial was then referred and ordered
TO be printed.
Mr.. VerpIanck moved to suspend the Special
Order flor the Tariff billy until the Appropria.
t;,, Q,ila alro6dv ordered IN thitd reatlipu