Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-01-23
FROM RICHMOND.
TO rns EDIrea OF Tn. SPECTATOR.

AtiCHMoNDp Aotu Sdus AofSs
Mr.. Editor :-Avaing myself Of the leisure of
an idle hour, have thought it might be pleasant
y spent in giving you a rapid sketch Of legisla-
tive and other proceedings now engaging the
public attention in this city.
You will have learned from the public prints
something Of the efforts now making in various
quarters TO remove Mr.. Joseph e. Cabell, for so
many years President Of the James River and
kanawha Company, and to elect new president
in his stead. The Common Council of this city
have so instructed their proxy, very unexpectedly
It Is said to their constituents, the people Of Rich
lnond. For some days past the same question
has been very warmly debated in a general meet
ing of the stockholders Of the Bank Of Virginia,
(holding 100000 OF stock in the concern,) which
resulted last evening. understand. in decision
that the vote Of the Bank should follow and con-
form with the vote of the COMMONWEALTH
proxies Of the former 10 be governed by The in
structions which might be given TO the proxies
of the latter.
Meanwhile a memorial has been addressed to
the Legislature by the President and Directors,
demanding, In consideration Of the large interests
at stake, as we'll in common justice 10 the Pre-
sident, a iuii and thorough investigation Of the
whole affairs and administration Of the Company
tron the day Of its organization to the present
tlme-and 10 that end asking the appointment Of
a joint committee Of the Two Houses, clothed
with power 10 send for persons and papers. A
joint resolution was introduced and adopted BY
The House OF Delegates providing for the appoint
ment OF committee Of Eve on the part Of the
House and four on the par, OF the Senate.
Initiative proceedings were had in the House
Tor the election OF u. S. Senator. in the intro
duction, by the delegate from Culpeper, of a
joint resolution making tina, election The order of
the day for Wednesday the 22nd inst. Some de-
bate sprung up, on various propositions from The
democratic side of tue House, to Law on the table,
or to amend by the insertion OF an earlier or later
day. Ii the member FROM Page be in the secrets
OF his party, we may hardly hope for the discharge,
oy THIS Legislature, OF IT'S high constitutional
function and obligation to elect Senator. Upon
motions sevcrally made by his political brethren,
TO substitute an earlier or later day, he begged
them to withdraw their motions so 10 amend, and
not thus Intimate any readiness or willingness on
their part TO go into an election at any time This
winter, whereby they would only embarrass the
action Of the Senate, oho had The po,oer to prevent
an election, but who could not be expected to
stand up to that point, il the democrats of the
popular branch evInced disposition to shrink
from IL! His counsels prevailed and the motions
to amend were severally withdrawn by their mo-
vers. The original resolution was thereupon a.
dopted by strict party vote.
The committee-rooms are, at this time the thea
tres Of able and animated discussions OF mpor-
tant subjects. The committee of roads have been
Tor some time engaged in considering the propo-
sltion Tor granting 10 the Baltimore and Ohio
nan No"u company TIE right oil way through
the territory of the State to some suitable point
on The Ohio river, with the various conflicting
claims OF Wheeling, Pafkersburg, SC. The Com
pany, the city OF Wheeling, and the other inter-
ests oil the Northwest are all ably represented in
these debates by their respective champions.
some serious conflict of interests having unhap-
PLY sprung up between two of our most useful
institutions OF learning, Washington College and
the military Institute, the committee of Schools
and colleges are engaged in considering PROPOSE
lions so to modify the course of instruction, &c.
as 10 prevent that cashing and rivalry which are
represented as highly injurious TO both. Profess
sor Armstrong represents the College, and Col.
Smith and Maj. Preston the Institute. Their
discussions before the committee, which are still
In progress, have been marked hitherto, both by
ability and manly courtesy.
The committee for Courts OF Justice, amongst
the various subjects referred TO its consideration,
has recently disposed Of one, which had excited
good deal OF interest and some discussion.
refer TO The various memorials and counter-lneno-
rlals on The subject of granting further powers 10
religious literary and benevolent societies TO re-
ceiVe requests and 10 hold property. After ma
lure consideration the committee reported TO the
House resolution declaring it inexpedient TO
change the existing laws on those subjects. Ii is
hardly probable that any effort will be made in
the House 10 reverse the resolution of the conf
mttee.
We have scarcely had any winter as yet. The
weather Tor some time past has been mild and
balmy as May. Unless February is more severe
we shall! have no ice in this latitude.
Yours, &c. CITIZEN.