Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-02-04
Ntrhmonn correspondence

To lie Editor ofG,e Gazette:

10 htf i>dfor q the Gazette;
The attention Of the House Of Delegates has
been almost exclusively occupied with the dis
eussion Of the Right OF Way, which has
been very animated and interesting. Il is i'm.
possible al this moment to tell what will be the
fac ofihe Bill, though the prospect or its sue.
cess. il strikes me, is more faueriDg than il
has been for several years past The members
from the North West are all anxious for the
extension Of the Baltimore Road-(fo- il is in
fact that Road, though il has been DUBBED
with the name Of he Potomac AMI OHIO
Rail ROAD but are divided somewhat upon
The tessaai Of it--some are for backing Mr..
EDGiNeroS and combining il to Wheeling
and others. and the larger portion Of Them, are
for striking lower down. | fear there is 100
much local feeling existnr.to enable members
10 auiye-at as clear and just conclusions as
they should always endeayor 10 do, upon a
a question Of such momeh,ous importance as
the one now before them. The truth is that
the Legislature is so undecided as TO what is
the best course TO pursue in laying out a sys-
tem Of internal Improvements. that il must
always remain difficult matter to divine what
viii be the fate Of bill until the vote is taken
upon II. The great anxiety is to connect Viz
gina with the West, but how 10 do it. and at
The same time preserve the harmony Of the
several sections Of the State is 4 most difficult
matter. Some clamor for the extension OF the
Canal, others want Railway connection
The three most important cities OF the STATE,
Richmond and Norfolk in the East, and Whee-
ling in the West, all have their prosperity and
future growth deeply involved in the decision.
And then again other points are springing up,
and demanding attention, and pointing the
! Legislature TO the fact that road can be made
through the State, without costing the Urea
sury q farming, and threatening that unless
the Legislature will give them the privilege Of
accepting this road, that they will seek. and if
possible, bring abort division Of the State, so
that you will readily perceive the difficulty Of
legislation amidst so many Conflicting and
complicated interests.
The debate upon this question was opened
by Mr. DUNcAs of Harrison Co., who is the
youngest member Of the House. in quite an
able speech-indeed i, would have done honor
to a much older head. He understood his
subject, and handled it with much force and
clearness--he supported the Right OF Way"
and was followed by Mr.. LEE Of Hardy, who
/ he 10 of ii with
all the enthusiasm which characterized his ei-
forts at the last session, and doubly armed. as
he spoke with an earnestness that showed that
he cons idered this the last effort that could be
made in the behalf Of a Bill, the passage Of
which he has so much at heart Mr.. HAY
MosD, OF Marion, who is a very sensible man,
and most excellent member, followed in op-
position 10 the Bill and in favor of the Wheel
ing terminus. Mr.. STEPHENSON, the able and
clear member from Parkersburg, fol
lowed in favor Of the Right of Way, and made
an able and int resting speech, in which he
boldly and clearly set forth every argument
thai could be urged in favor Of the Parkers
burg route. His speech did him grea, credit,
and produced an evident impression upon the
minds of the members Of the House MI
HUNTER Of Jefferson, closed the Argument in
favor Of the general proposition for the Righ,
Of WAY, which was one Of the most cred:ta-
bic and forcibe efforts that have ever heard
him make--and which you, who are accus
toned to hear HIM speak, and know his tai
ents, will see is saying good deal. Mr., II.
ranks among the ablest speakers Of the present
House Of Delegates. He inlnated in the com
mencemsnt Of his remarks, that he had com
promise 10 offer, which he thought would sat
isfy all of the conflicting interests. which, how
ever, he declined offering for the present, as
he had submitted il TO both the parties 10 the
discussion, and they both had rejected it. The
compromise was to alter the chatter now ex-
istng-granting the Right of Way to Wheel
! ing, and give the Road another directon--lo
strike the Ohio River at Fishing Creek, 10
miles below, and then run Eranch Road
thence TO Wheeling.
Mr.. EDeiNGroN has the floor next, and will
reply 10 all Of the opponents Of the Wheeling
terminus on Monday next Some little sharp
shooting took place between him and Mr.
HUNTER, bu, satisfactory explanations Were
made, and all unpleasanness passed off very
well. II is not yet known on what day The
vote will be taken, but suppose during the
coming week.
The subject of a call OF Convention was
introduced into the House this morning by
Col. McPHERsoN of Page. upon which there
was ga short talk" between several memle;s-
the substance Of which was that the House
take up the resolution offered by him <Mt Me
p )or the 10Th ofDecember last, for the appoint
men. ola Comnmiltee 10 report abiil-taking
the sense ofthe people a, the approaching cleo
ton upon the propriety OF calling Convention
10 amend the constitutional tho state. He(Mr.
McP.) did not wish TO discuss the resolution,
but wanted vote upon it, as he supposed
members had their minds made up on the sub
ject Mr. STorHER Of Rappahanuock, objected
~ The reSnIn,ton beinp taken mn MS the minds of