Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-12
RICHMOND AND OHIO RAIIRoAn M, /,

L..
lhe passage OF this bill constitutes new era
in the Legislation Of Observation-Disclosures it has
been difficult for small companies of our own ci,i-
zens 10 obtain an act Of incorporation for manu-
featuring purposes, without the most stringent
conditions and Limitations as to the privilege of
! acquiring and holding land. So extreme has
been this jealousy, especially with the dominant
party in our State, that it almost amounted TO
POSITIVE hatred OF all corporations, and seriously
threatened al one time to involve them i'm the in.
lquitons heresy of charter-breaking. -Cer,ain it
is. that but few acts Of incorporation have been
granted by them. Of late years, that do not con-
tam provision giving TO the Legislature the pow
or OF annuiling them at pleasure.
How is 1t then, that this bill comes 10 be so
favored! On what principle of public policy are
powers and privileges granted to company,
avowedly to be made up of foreign capitalists,
that are denied to our own citizens
These are questions which ought to, and we
hope will be answered, by those who have had a
participation in its passage.
10 our mind, there are many objections to this
act, of strong and decided character, even apart
from the extraordinary privileges conferred upon
| fringement of the rights of the James River and
kanawha company, in which the State has a
large lnterest.-Irue that company is now Grip
pied, and has little or no prospect of ever being
able to complete its work yet its stockholders
are our fellow-ciiZens and deserve our sympathv
and such protection of their interests in any fur
Their arrangements for the completion of the i'm
proVement as may be fair and equitable. Be-
sides, as we have already said, the State itself
has large investment in the work, which NAV
be rendered utterly valueless if this scheme is
contaminated. Why, then, this sacrifice? Is
Virginia indeed so poor, that she cannot avail,
herself OF the advantages which nature has given
her of establishing of the very best thorough
fares between the East and the West TO be found
IN the Middle or Southern Atlantic States1 An
improvement which would confer not only imme.
date and incalculable benefits on her own citi
Zens, but which would enable her TO lew on the
trade and travel of other States without exhorbi.
fancy, sum sufficient to pay the whole expenses
of her Government And is this the boon which
the guardians of her welfare have thus idly given
away to company of Foreign Adventurers-not
for bonus, but actually with premium to induce
tHeili 10 tdke II! we DluSn IOr the Stdte--WG
blush for the humiliating posture in which she is
placed by this transaction.
But it is the opinion of many that the Rail-
Road will never be made-and such is said 10 be
the avowed belief OF some that voted for the char
ter. 1t is thought TO be mere bubble blown
up by company in New York now largely in
terested in Western Virginia Lands, to work
them off 10 advantage; that beautiful Map of
the Road will be got up, with the locations and
advantages of their lands, and that this will be
about all of it! WE'LL this may be so, and we
confess we think it not improbable. Yet is tina,
any excuse ?-Only sUindRng operation, in
deed pretty consideration truly to control
the vote Of any member "a most foul and nfa-
nous purpose for which to seek the aid of lepis-
lation-a purpose which, if established by proof.
ought 10 consgn its guilty agents to the peni-
Tertiary.
Still there are other objections to be urged in
the case. Should The Road be made, the COM
pany has the privilege of locating it with just as
many reflections from direct line as it chooses, |
or its landed and manufacturing interests may
dictate. Thus the work, when completed NAV
not be such as the interests of the State may re. |
quire, and may be in The way of and perpetually I
hinder better improvement. Then, on the other
hand, if the Road is not to be made, it will take !
time TO ascertain the fact, and in the meanwhile
Virginia must remain idle, and do little or moth
ing to improve her condition. These are consi-
defaiions which ought not to have been overlook
ed by the guardians Of her interests.
The feeling of despair and hopeIessness, more
over, which is the reason assigned by many for
the remarkable favor that has been extended 10
this New York project it seems TO US, is not fair
'y warranted by the facts. There is nothing in
the condition or circumstances of our State 10
prevent her from effecting, by her own means
and credit, this desirable Improvement. True
wisdom and policy, indeed, require that she