Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11

upon passengers for their principal revenue,
such and so we'll ascertained, that no costly a
extended one depending for the most part up
the business created by itself, it may be con
IDENTIFY said, could be supported without them.
In order, therefore, to answer public wants, al
to sustain itself, the Improvement which is
connect the James with the Ohio river, must a
ford TO the travel between that river and the A
laniic as desirable and decided advantages as an
other improvement, or this great and indemnify
ing source of profit must be chiefly 1t not entir'
ly lost. But this not even the canal could afford
were it ever so perfectly executed, and were 1t q
this hour actually open for use in connection wit
steamboat navigation on the kanawha rver.-
Were it so, it would require about five days 4
make the passage from that river to Richmond
whilst it would require about three or three ant
a half days to make i, by Wheeling through
Baltimore and Philadelphia to New York, from
the same point Of departure. This, i'm most ca
ses, would be decisive with the traveller in turn
ing him from ours to another route. If, however,
railroad were made upon tho unfinished line
OF the James River and kanawha Company to
Point Pleasant, or TO Guyandotte, il would afford
the shortest connection in time by which to reach
New York through Richmond, and would no
doubt secure the travel and the profit upon it
which the canal would lose. But that is not all !:
by securing travel freight is also secured. This
Is the peculiar and controlling principle in rail-
road operations. Having no superior for passen-
ger transportation, the railway relies upon that
Tor Its expenses, and is thus enabled, where the
reliance Is safe one to relieve the freight out of
the profits OF the travel, and especially would it
DO enabled thus to do in the case of State inn
provement where the charges will be restricted
to mere remuneration and repair
In addition to this it may be remarked, that it
Is the peculiar and happy faculty of this kind of
road that it can be adapted TO any rate of move
ment, and any one of burden, and with an appa-
rent capacity under the progress OF mechanical
invention for an almost indefinite increase in the
degree OF both. Whilst the rate of passenger
speed is checked only by The fears of the passen-
ger, the rate OF burden transportation has been
gradually raised from some three or four times
ihe weight OF The engine TO some twenty times
that weight, and the engine increased from four
or five tons TO fifteen or more, thus shelving a
powero accommodation for all uses,
at least as great as those uses can ever require.
AT what point upon the line Of the James River
and kanawha Company, the railroad, if adopted,
should begin, and by what particular route it
should be conducted, are Controverled questions
OF exciting local interests, which ] commit to
you, IN the perfect confidence that there will DO
found justice, dslnteresednesS and irmness Q.
nou9h In your body TO settle them Alright. No
people have been more admonished by bitter ex-
perlence than we have been, 10 the exercise, upon
questions OF this kind, of genuine spirit of mu-
iuai liberaliiy and concession. Without this
spirit, rely upon it that nothing will be accom-
pllshed; section will contend against section,
and the Commonwealth will continue to be what
1t has long been, impoverished by the rcry muKi-
fude IF us blessings.
In relation TO The funds which any legislation
upon the subject may require, respectfully sub
init 1t as suggestion, that they may be obtained,
IN great and perhaps sufficient degree, by sim
pie recurrence TO the rate OF taxation which was
hXed by the revenue law of March, lS43. Had
thar nfa ft,..,.o at.l 4.
have produced upwards of hundred and sixty
three thousand dollars more than the revenue of
The present year, which, itself is sufficient to pay
OH ali the current expenses of the Government,
with an estimated balance over on the first of
October next, of some two hundred thousand
dollars beside. Or, if the revenue law of 1914
had been continued without change, upwards of
one hundred and seven thousand dollars over the
amount of the present year. would have been
brought into the treasury. Should it be deemed
'NPecIent therefore, for the purposes in question
o re-enact even the rates Of that law, you would
rave annually at your disposal, sum not less
han two hundred and fifty thousand dollars one
'aii OF which might be used as interest-pay-
ng fund upon which 10 raise the capital required
or the execution of the works intended, and the
liner hall as IA sinking fund TO aid, if need be,
N The redemption of the principal
STATE CONVENTION.
The subject OF calling Convention for the
purpose OF revising and amending our State Con.
uiution, has engaged the public mind TO SO great
IN extent Tor several years, and especially for the
present one, and is itself enforced by so many
ohslderations oil political expectancy and justice,
nat should be wanting in due sense of official
uty, II failed TO recommend it TO your calm,
wise and patriotic deiberation. There is no
'ther subject with which your present legislation
$ concerned, that puts into issue so wide meas.
ire OF pubic anxiety, or in which the general
welfare Is more dependent upon just and well
considered counsels. Let such counsels only pre-
'al, and be followed out to their results. and it
nay be confidently hoped, that the common in
crest and brotherhood OF the State will be reliev-
20 from me discontent OF sections chatting each
'ther, and the general principles of our political
system he better than ever maintained,
Great as was the ability with which our first
constitution was prepared, and great also as
we're the experience, learning and virtue which
we're employed in the amended one that was al
forwards adopted. there are, nevertheless, certain
provisions In both Of them, which have never
been satisfactory TO large portions of our people,
because, In their judgment, inconsistent with
those principles OF equality and justice which it
was the main object OF both TO establish. From
The first hour OF their appearance i'm the amended
Constitution, which was expressly sought for 10
correct them, up to the present moment they
have been complained of and resisted, and hence
they have again and again been presented 20 your
own body, as involving grievances which II was
hard TO bear and hazardous TO prolong. In all
this we see only the spirit of free people resolv-
ed upon removing from their fundamental law,
as far as they can effect it, every real cause of
injury and discomfort amongst them, and of rem
derlng 1T the revered and permanent instrument
oil me highest wisdom, justice dbene fcence.-
1t is to this equitable and saluary exsl that their
efforts are directed and in order 10 conduct them
regularly and without objection, you are now sp-
pealed TO by an immense body Of petitioners 10
unite with them SO lar nc To niun 1hn sanction nf