Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-01-28
Virginia legislature.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

MIR. BRUCE commenced by saying, that, interested as
his constituents in the The bill now under con-
deraon he should not have thought necessary TO tres.
pass ON The patience Of the House, but Tor some consie
ratons personal TO himself and others with whom he now
co-operaes u Is, perhaps, unnecessary for remind
you, Mr. Speaker that in common with most of the de-
from the Roanoke country voted last winter against
bill what similar the which you hold in your
hand' Many gentlemen on this floor can bear testimony
10 the reluctance with which did it, and that this reuc-
lance only yielded the determination of making one
other great sacrifice Of interest, in order tina, might
stop TO what has always been considered side
VIE river, as dangerous cxpsdency-the loan system
nesuss ms sir felt that assuming too great re-
pons,oly' We're In any manner to countenance this
measure oil State policy, without first warning those who
sent the here Of what about to do 1 have no wish
10 disguise the fact that my convictions OF the npolicy Of
system oil loans on the part Of the State, strong
sr' mmoVeaoe Yet am admonished by the number OF
It's advocates in this House, by an increasing majority
which winter alter winter has developed our eyes by
., .e state at large that the funds of this
noting the internal Improvements of the STATE Under
esc circumstances 1t has become subject grave and
SERIOUS enquiry, whether the Roanoke people will conti
nue. as they have always done, 10 bear LARGE very
large portion OF the buhens OF State without parjci
pating in part Of the benefits. Gentlemen win do ma ,io
Jasce 10 remember that we have not capulaed at the
hrst summons Of interest Appeals have wear after wear
been made TO us from Petersburg, last year from Norfolk
anu portsmouth, but Ia vain and il is only now that h,v
ing found all OF our efforts fruess seeing the Gxed do
termination oil the Legislature for the purpose of
making improvements, in which in no wise into.
rested, That we now come forward claim what is far
very Tar, short OF our just and equitable share
IL is certainly not my intention follow the gentleman
nom re'ersDurg, (Mr Brown0 the wide range OF
argument which he presented the House on Yesterday
every part vi this subject in all its loo and be ar.
igs were successfully brought under his searching saga
y' anu ne gentleman must pardon for saying, that
speaks much Tor the strength and justice Of our claims
mat they have been enabled 10 Withstand so powerful
scrutiny. lie commences his attack by finding iaul, with
the mode IN which the Portsmouth Company have
the 'wo.hiths Of their capital. He objects that the CORPORA
lions oiPorismouth and Norfolk too large
proportion much larger than the Town of Pc
nh
Pneiy OF The Legislatures grant of this power 10
ions snail not stop enquire. But this will saw that
any one thing than another could prove the orea,
importance OF the work, the interest which the Of
Portsmouth and Norfolk felt in its success their strong he
e' an confidence In Its feasibility il the unparalleled
uhainy with which the properly holders of every pro
lesion and trade forward and sakei that
OH the ISSUE The Legislature could not REQUIRE be,,r
yes. Oh .e sincerity oil their representations far
relates 10 me confidence which they have in ia. utility
praeicabilty, and ultimate profits OF the work -
The gentleman from Petersburg cricses with great Sc
VERIFY me estimates contained in the Report of the Enpi
neer Mr.. Gwynn. have but very slight nersonaI sc
quain!ance with this gentleman; but reputation he il
Me known 10 the State His character for honesty, can
eor'anaihegri'y and all other qualities which NAV alorn
gentleman, is far beyond the of suspicon as an
Engineer, practical and scientific, stands on high and
elevated ground Ii is perfectly well known thai he made
most OF the contracts the Petersburg road and
ed his dulles In manner perfectly satisfactory to that COM
Pany. WIN this idea OF the character and qualifications
oil MI Gwynn was much astonished at he airing doubt
expressed ny The gentleman from Petersburg in relation
10 The length oil the Portsmouth road This is CAPABLE nj
SoSh SAact so easily reduc
anu ee anu requires SO little skill that doubt the inca
suremenis to doub, the integrity Of the measurer.
MIR. Brown explaned.1
SIR am glad the gentleman intended no imputaion
on the character of the Engineer-I who know b;s
usual courtesy and urbanity, knew him incapable or il
moush some expressions which fell from him. might in.
uuce 'he belei lie goes in the next place TO oh.
serve that, though there greater number of cubca
ieet excavation and embankment estimated on the Ports
mouth Na hoau 'han The Petersburg, according dis
lance yei te former is made less The gentleman
from Petersburg proceeds draw two iDiere1ces from
ms circumstance, prejudicaI 10 the Portsmouth Road
wbich Is my purpose 10 show this House are incor
rect, aud not deducbe from the premises The rst in
terence is, that the Petersburg Road runs through the
mos. favorable country there being less excavation and
ehoankhent Has he overlooked the porlant fact tina,
the price OF excavation does depend on the quantity
alone The soil over which the Portsmouth Road rms
- sana anu loAm-a spade is easily driven into it. On
me fe,ersourg route, you encounter stiff CLAW with
great difficulty penetrated by The spade or hoe Again
on The Petersburg route there many deep cuts and
nigh entertainments The expense Of excavation
as you descend that OF embark me nj as Won ascend Ti
10 made perfectly plain by looking moment at the pro
cess OF digging well The first three or four cul,cs
yards oil earth raised with great dispatch and little cost
as you descend however the abour and expense
IN almost geometca rao and so is in the case Of
excavation ana embankmeni. To make an estimate of
cos men, you must take into account the nature of the
soil the depth from which be taken aud the height
10 which it must be carried. The quantity is but single
anu perhaps, The least important element in the estimate:
ana yet The gentleman from Petersburg has based all his
Calculations upon it, The Portsmouth Rail. Road runs
over nguaFiy level country, requiring but little ex
H.
ment But how is this embankneui made? Mostly bv cni
ting two parallel bitches drain oil the wafer anil
ing up the dirt IN The middle which, for the mos, mari
all that 10 required. And is cubical ward Of II, IA, ,nJ
thrown oil with the spade to be estimated at 0e same
Pce as the same quantity ostn clay from the bottom Of
thirty foot excavation! think am warranted ,,an 10
mat The conclusion that the greater quantity
caVahon proves The nierorty OF location il false Bat
SIR look al the mapone road is caed North and Sou
anu oil course crosses the water and ravnes the
other passes East and est and of course p,sses m %
This Tact, in absence Of all other testimony voJ be
conclusive OF The whole natter Arc We bSgevor sra
hat Tue quantity oil excavation and embdnkment il oe
on Ue portsmouth tban the Petersburg Rail Road2
informed, mat the Engineer in making estimates for the
latter ROAD, did MOI take into account the embankment
"neFe u wes made oil dirt taken from excavation but
Only estimated the excavation. On the Portsmouth road
however every cubic foot Of excavation and enankmcn
Is esilmsted When reflect on the great difference
this would make in the two estimates, are TO saw e
least Of H. induced 10 doubt whether the quantity ol ex
caYaIon be not less the Portsmouth than the Peters
burg Ran koah cen not lorbear bring under the no.
ice OF The House very evident advantage which tho
Portsmouth road possesses over the Petersburg aIloIe
70 e grades On The lormer road the greatest inclination
Is ~ ce 10 TIE niics the latter il rises 30 Five
ton engines VIII answer the purpose The one while ne
oer WIN require six Here will not only be saving in
expense but will preserve the road from an additional
weight, which Is Circumstance by no means 10 be di.rs
garded. ''
The gentleman thinks that the Govt Of sills and rails h
Pu 100 low his has been tested 10y the most infalIia
OF all tests, The test Of experience. Ss and rails In,
fy miles have been put under contract for the precise
sun mentioned in the estimate, and there has been an
acuel saving III % miles, excavation
bridges OF nearly $4,000 This, soud think ougbI 10
SATISFY The most ncredulous. Again; IL is said at er
10 no cs nae Tor the cost Of bridge the Roauok
az weldon ~ the gentleman from Petersburg wouII
IEe up we chatter OF the comP'ny granted by the NJ C.