Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-11-05


would be laid out in neghborhood supplies! Would
not the beautiful scenery, the delicious summer eli
mate, and the health-Ieviving qualities of our nu-
merous Springs, invite multtudes every season, If
we had but the proper facilities Of access? Con
template these inestimabe advantages. and the O.
normous transportation of produce and persons be-
tween the Ohio and the Atlantic, which would seek
inns route 1t 1t were once completed, and we can
hardly exaggerate the benefits that would result to
the whole State, cost what it might-and these.
too. exclusive of the happy effects Of making us one
people. But. Gentlemen, distant as may be this
perspective view, we can only bring it nearer to us
by gradual approaches. We must make Begin
ming, and our duty is to endeavor to take the first
step with discretion and Judgment We must trv
to adapt means to ends. The chief objects of our
meeting are to consider the proper measures for ex
tending the Louisa Rail Road, and to recommend.
once more, to the Legislature, the extension of the
James River Canal into the Valley. Without
these improvements, in the first instance all our
schemes are but mere visions that can never be re-
allied, and then, emphatically we may bid sslonp
farewell TO all our greatness"
On motion of Mr. Poindexter, VIM. Kinney.
esq. OF Staunton, was invited to take seat as a
member of the Convention.
On motion of Mr. Fontaine,
Resolred, That Committee, consisting of one
member from each delegation, he appointed by the
PRESIDENT to prepare and report business for the ac-
ton OF the Convention.
The following gentlemen Were appointed said
Committee :-Messrs. Fontaine of Hanover Ma.
gruder of Albemare, Kinney of Augusta. Goode of
Bath, Terrill Of Greenbrier, Lacy of Rockbridpe.
Minor OF Richmond, and Pondexter of Louisa
And. on motion, the President and Vice Presi-
dents of the Convention were added to the Com
mittee.
The Convention then took recess until 5o'clock.
On re-assembling, the Select Committee appont
ed to prepare business for the Convention made n
Report, which, being read, was laid upon the table
and ordered to be printed
The Convention ,hereupon adjourned to meet to-
morrow morning at half past O'Clock.
SATURDAY, Oct. 81, 1876.
The Convention met according to adjournment.
On motion of Capt. Jones, Col. Archd p. Walk
or of Rockbrdge, was invited to take a seat os !,
member Of the Convention.
On motion of VIM. Kinney, esq.,, CT J. Ran
dolph, Vice President in the Chair,)
Rcsotced, That the President Of the Convention
be requested to furnish to the Secretaries sketch
of his excellent address, for publication with the
proceedings Of the Convention.
On motion of Mr. Fontaine, the Report of the
Committee ON business was taken mp, and, after
some conversation, was re-cOmmIttcd 10 the Com
mlttee-And, on motion of the same gentleman,
L. >. Niche of Augusta, and Capt. Ellis Of Rich
mond, were added to the Committee.
On motion of Mr.. Niche, a letter received from
5. MD. Moore, esq, the Senator of this District
In the General Assembly, in relation to the objects
OF the Convention, was referred to the same Com
mttee.
The Select Committee on business wishinr 10
retire for conference, the Convention again took
recess.
On the re-assembling Of the Convention, the
Committee on business made the following Report,
being the same that was before submitted except
that the first resolution was SO amended as to de-
signate "Covington, or some point in the neighbor-
hood of that place. for the ultimate extension Of
the Louisa Railroad (which being read, was u
unanimously adopted, rs follows;
''The Committee to whom was assigned the du-
fy OF suggesting the form which the business of the
convention should assume, are forcbly impressed
with the conviction that the public improvements
of the State in which those here assembled are most
deeply interested, have failed to accomplish the OBJ
Jects for which they were designed. The Louisa
Rail Road, and the James River Canal, were pro-
jected to establish commercial intercourse between
Richmond and the Counties West of the Blue
Ridge. Although the Louisa Rail Road has Weld
ed small dividends annually from the beginning,
our enterprsing citizens who have invested their
funds IN these works have received no adequate re-
turn. The stock owned by the Commonwealth
has been alike Improbable, and the rich produc-
tons OF the Valley are denied access TO the market
they are so anXously seeking, by the existence of
barriers which 1t is IN the power of the Legislature
to remove at cost entirely within the means of
the State.-Ihey therefore recommend the adop-
ton OF the following Resolutions
81:
the immediate extension of the Louisa Rail Road to
some point at or near the Eastern base Of the Blue
Ridge, and that In the selection of that point,
particular reference be had, not only to the facility
and economy OF approaching the mountain but also.
OF crossing it. and ultimately extending the road to
Covington, or some point in the neghborhood of
that place.
<. Resoiued, That committee of three be APP
pointed by the President Of the Convention to pre-
pare memorial to the next General Assembly
asking an appropriation the joint stock principle,
Tor the extension of the Louisa Rail Road to the
Eastern base of the Blue Ridge
.. ReSotred, That the several Counties interest
ed In the extension of the Louisa Rail Road be in
vlted to constitute committees of investigation and
examination as to the best route for the construction
of the road and to report to the President of the
Louisa Railroad Company.
a. Resolced, That, in the opinion of this Con-
yentlon, the Pghted faith and best interests of the
State, are alike involved in the immediate prosecu-
ton of the James River Canal to the town of Bu-
chanan, and that the Legislature of Virginia ought
at It's next session, to make provision by law for
that object -
The following gentlemen were appointed by the
President Committee TO prepare a Memorial to
the next Legislature, under the End Resolution -
A. IL. II. Stuart, L. J. Randolph, and WIN. Kin
ney, esqrs.
The Letter Of Mr.. Moore being called for, was
then read.