Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-02-11

Oldham, Waggoner, Williams, Brown OF
Monongalia, Beirne, Perrow, Oliver. Edging-
ton, Davis, Taium, Syme, Lanier. Tnnstall,
Fairfax, Daniel, sStrother, Mayo, Cook, Har-
lper, M'Elhenny, Morrison, Fitzhugh, Bur
deu, and Castleman-66.
.yoes--Messrs. Jones (Speaker,) Gusts,
Finney, Byrd, Boak, Small, Bennett, Bocock,
slaughter, Irving, Thompson Of Dinwiddie,
Love, Scott, Smith, Wall, Carson, White,
Jones Of Gloucesier, Carroll. Lee, Duncan,
Howard, Thompson Of jefferson, Patrick,
Richmond, Ballard, Harrison Of Loudoun, Me
lIntyre, Browne Of NJ. s. NJ, Edinundson Of
Montgomery and Pulaski, Breaihed, Kelly,
Watts, Happier, VERIFY, helms, Mcpherson,
Newman, Cackley. Anderson, Tyler, Sturm,
Bare, Brown Of Rockingham, Hill OF Shenan-
ldoah, Stickley, Tate, Goodwin, Holiday
Freeman, Gillespie, Homer, Goodson, Chand-
Ter, Stephenson, and Floyd--56.
You will observe the name of Mr.. Hunter
of Jefferson, among the Ayes, who voted pur
lposely in that way, that he NIGH, be enabled 10
did, in order that he might offer his p-e,,osi-
ton for terminating the road on the Old river
at Fishing Creek, and running a b.anch road
from thence to the city Of Wheeling. Mr..
STEPHENSON Of Wood, begged Mr.. HvsrEa
to withdraw his motion 10 reconsider. as he
and other friends OF the great improvement
considered me Bill dead for the present, and
did not wish TO bring it up again. Other
members also suggested TO Mr. II. that he
could bring his proposition before the House
in another form, and therefore that it would be
better to Withdraw his motion, to which he
agreed. Mr.. SHEFFEy of Augusta, offered a
resolution which was adopted, appointing a
Committee to bring In bill changing the pre-
scribed route of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
Road to Wheeling, TO some more practicable
and economical route. The present prescri.
bed route in the charter 10 the Company, pas
sed by the Legislature a few years ago to
Wheeling, Is said 10 be very distasteful 10 the
Company and will never be adopted by it
This proposition OF Mr.. SHEFrEY's is design
ed to give the Company the privilege of selec-
ting q more eligible route. 1t is said if this
proposition prevails, the Company will accept
and proceed Immediately with the prosecution
of the work--as it will then be settled definite
ly that Wheeling is the lotcest point that will
be allowed, and that it will be accepted as
all of Mr.. McLANE's letters, movements. &c..
show that he is determined to strike at us low
point as possible. The choice will by this
proposition be narrowed down TO Wheeling
and Pittsburg-and the Baltimore Company
will, beyond doubt, accept Wheeling, as they
will thereby be enabled 10 cut of the Western
and South Western trade, and keep from
going 10 Philadelphia, which 1t would be
likely to do were it 10 reach Pittsburg-at
least, great portion Of it would certainly be
drawn off from Baltimore, especially if the
immense wealth, and extensive Commercial
importance of Philadelphia could present the
slightest additional inducement 10 it. As a
| Of
SHErFEY's resolution will be appointed on
Monday, when the whole question will prob.
ably come up anew.
| The discussion OF the "Right Of Way" has
elected some of the best talent Of the House.
In addition to the speakers mentioned in my
last letter TO you. Mr. Scorr of Fauquier,
made most able argument in favor Of the
Right Of Way, and MIR. STRoTHER Of Kappa
hanock, closed the debate in opposition, which
| have heard excellent judges on all sides pro-
nounce one OF the most brilliant and forcible eff
forts made during the discussion. cannot
think now that any thing can be done which
will alter the decision of the House in any
material degree, and hope most sincerely il
the Right cannot be obtained for striking the
river below Wheeling, that the Baltimore
Company will accept the Wheeling terminus
and carry on the road. think the decision of
the House most unfortunate, and tinetured
with the greatest injustice TO the North West
but in the name of heaven, is not ga half loaf.
better than no bread" | should not be a; all
surprised to hear Of the greatest and most in
tense excitement prevailing in several Of the
Counties deeply interested in the passage of
the Bill They have been raised TO the high
est pitch of hope, and you may depend tina,
they will not meet their disappointment now,
without turning them to wrath.
On yesterday, another sharp passage at
arms took place between Mr.. HUNTER Of JEFF
son, and Mr. EpGIxGToN Of Wheeling, which
| at one time feared was going 10 lead to some
thing worse, and which probably might have
been the case but for the timely interference of
Mr.. TUNsrALL, who rose and stopped the de-
bate, and explained away the apparent often
siveness of MIR. EDGINGroN's remarks-to the
version Of which Mr.. E. gave his assent, and
Mr.. HUNTER expressed himself satisfied. 1t
occurred in this way: MIR ii. stated that de-
sire had been expressed to see the proposition
Of Compromise which he had intended some
days ago to submit, and he did not feel at lib
erty to withhold it. He then offered it, with
the request that it be laid on the table and prin-
ted. Mr.. STEPHENSON objected to it, as he
thought it would have a tendency TO defeat the
resolution then under consideration. Mr.. II.
explained that he had no desire to defeat the
pending Billion the contrary, he desired its
passage. But in the contingency of the defeat
of the Bill, he intended to offer il. Mr.. EDG-
IsGroN understood the proposition Of Mr.. IL.
was to limit the Road to Fishing Creek, which
was no compromise, as far as Wheeling was
concerned, but mere moekery. Wheeling
would not give million of cents, lie, alone a
million of dollars, for such compromise. 1t
was no compromise at all, sc. Sc. He then
made pass at the argument OF Mr.. ScoTr of
| Fauquier, which was very vulnerable at every
point, and in the very teeth Of his great argu-
ment against the Convention at the last session,
which any one would readily see by an exam
ination Of that speech. The doctrines Of the
two speeches were altogether irreconcilable
and inconsistent. Mr.. HUNTER replied. con
tending that there was much of the spirit of
compromise in his proposition, and that ma
ny ofits features were very dlstasteful TO the
Baltimore Company. Mr.. EDGlsGroS repli-
ed. charging that Mr.. HUNTER was represent
ing the interests of Baltimore and the Balt-
more Company in opposition to a Virginia
City, and that he would not allow HIM TO dis
guise himself as umpire between Wheeling
and the Company. Mr.. TuNsrALL here inter
posed and pronounced the debate out of or
der, and stated that he did not understand the
member from Wheeling to impuie anything
personallv dishonorable TO the member from