Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-07
PIIRIIC MEETING

At a meeting Of a number 81 The ciuZsns OF
Augusta county, held al the Court House On The
22l day OF November, iS47, Samuel Clarke, Esq,
was appointed Chairman and K. Por'ei'ield kin-
ney Secretary.
The meeting having been called TO order, I.
]. Niche, Esq, rose and in a few brief remarks
explained the object OF the meeting 10 be The con-
sideration OF The course pursued by majority
o; The Board oil Public Works in refusing to sub
scribe The amount directed by The Geaeral As
semby al ,ts last session, 10 be subscribed by The
Board OF Public Works. on behalf Of the Stale,
for the extension OF The Louisa Railroad. Mr.
Niche then moved that committee be appoint.
ed by The Char to draft Preamble and ReSoIu-
lions expressive OF the sense OF the meeting, and
that The committee report 10 an adjourned meet
ing. to be held al 3 O'clock, Z. NJ, which motion
was carried, and the Chair appointed Messfs. T.
J. Niche, A. II. Fl Stuart, David Fulz and John
B. Baldwin said committee.
The meeting being called 10 order al The APP
pointed hour, T. J. Niche, Esq, reported or BE-
half orlhe committee the following Preamble aud
Resolutions, which were adopted:
PREAEBLE.
This meeting has heard with feelings OF sur
prise and Indignation OF the refusal Ut maIori'
" OF the Board OF Public Works TO subscribe on
behalf OF The State OF Virginia 10 the increased
stock Of the Louisa Railroad Company.
We have some time marked, with extreme
mouifratinn, The conduct OF our Governor on
his subject lie has forgotten The dignity ami
impar!ially becoming his high position as Chief
Magistrate OF the Commonwealth and has eY.
hbcd himself upon The slumpas The avo~cd anc
active partizan OF a sectional interest Required
hv his official position 10 act merely as an EXecu-
tive officer, aud carry into effect law OF The
~ nh hn hac Ipt n
preparations Of opposition tu the law, and given
them. before hand, assurances Of his Official in.
erpo,i,ion To defeat its object, il defeat should be
found necessary for the accomplishment OF Tie
purposes Of that faction.
We have also witnessed, with astonishmen',
The conduct of ajoliy OF The Board OF Pubic
Works. They have undertaken, without the
shadow OF legal right, 10 control the action OF The
SAFE proxy, who is selected for his community
OF interest with The Stockholders, by inslruclne
him to give vote in direc! opposition 10 the tue
Interests OF the Company. MisjudsiDs the char
acler and dsregardlng The feelings OF the State
proxy they placed their instructions in the hands
OF their conf DENTAL pariiZans, in The vain hope Of
inlimiating him into servie compliance Win
their uehestS, and sacrifice OF The Interests
which had been entrusted TO his guardianship
Having tailed in this attempt they re:0rt 10 the
Stockholders a compliance with conditions hereto
tore unknown, and when all these expcdiens are
disappointed, and all their efforts a, procrasina,
tion overcome, they have finally, in violation OF
alllaw, in disregard OF the good faith Of The Stale
and in opposition to the official advice Of The
Law adviser OF The Commonwealth, claimed 10
hOli the keys OF The treasury and have refused 20
obey The solemn mandate OF the General Assem-.
bIv.
In view of this extraordinary STATE Of things
Resolved. That he conduc, Of The Governor,
and Of a majority of the Board OF Public Works.
demands The sc:n rebuke OF a jus, public opinion,
and we appeal with cor fjence 10 all who would
maintain the rcspec,abili,y OF The Chief Ma gistFa-
cy Of our State; 10 all who would impose just re-
sirain,s upon UlIca usurpaior 10 all who would
upheld the interests OF public improvements
against he assaults of metropolitan Junto, and
10 all who desire 10 maintain unsullied The
pliah,ed faith of The Commonwealth to Unite with
us in condemnation Of conduct so extraordinary
and understandable.
Resolved, That we have no doubt that the Ge
neral Assembly OF Virginia will, without hesita-
ton, enforce from their agents compliance win
the solemn compacts OF the State, and will pro-
perly rebuke those who have presumed 10 throw a
doubt upon the public faith.
Resolved, That in2any event we appeal with
unJoublipg confidence to an independent judicia
~, 10 enforce rights vested under solemn public
compact.
Resolved, That in this belief we recommend lo
the Louisa Railroad Company 10 proceed win
their work.
Resolved, That - be appointed commit
tee 10 bring before the Legislature the facts con-
necled with this subject, and to ask OF The Gene
raj Assembly to inquire into the conduct OF the
Board of Public Works, and TO consider whether
the Interests of the Stale at large do not require a
reorganization # that Board so as 10 secure a
fair representation OF The different sections of the
Commonwealth.
The blank in the fifth resolution was then fill.
cd by the Chair with The names OF Messrs. Tho
mas J. Niche, A. II. II. Stuart and Jno. B. Bald.
win.
Erasmus Slribling. ESQ, then offered The fol-
lowing resolution, which was adoped:
Resolved, That the Editors OF newspapers
throughout the Commonwealth be requested 10
publish these proceedings at as early day as
practicable. i.
'''> -'' SAM'L CLARKE, Chm.
p. KINNEY, Secy.