Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-01
PUBLIC MEETING.

gusta County, held at the Court house on the 22d
day Of November, lS47, SAMUEL CLARKE,
Esq, was appointed Chairman. and X. PORTER
FIELD kinney, Secretary
'Fhe meeting having been called to order, T. j.
MIciIE, ESQ.,, rose and in few brief remarks ex-
planned the object of the meeting to be the consi-
deraton of the course pursued by majority of the
Board of Public Works in refusing to subscribe the
aruouu, directed by the General Assembly, at its
last session, to be subscribed by the Board Of Pub
lie Works, ON behalf Of the State, for the eXtcn-
sion of the Louisa Railroad. Mr.. Niche then
moved that committee be appointed by the Chair
to draft Preamble and Resolutions expressive OF
the sense Ut the meeting, and that the committee
report TO an adjourned meeting 10 be held at o.
clock, p. M, which motion was carried, and the
Chair appointed Messrs. II. J. Niche, A. II. III.
Stuart, David Fultz, and John Is. Baldwin said
committee.
The meeting being called to order at tho APP
pointed hour, Il. j. Niche, Esq, reported on be-
half Of the committee the following Preamble and
Resolutions, which adopted
PREAMBLE.
This meeting has heard with feelings Of sur
prise and Indignation of the refusal of majority of
the Board of Public Works TO subscribe on behalf
of the State of Virginia TO the increased stock of
the Louisa Railroad Company.
We have some time marked with extreme NOR
LITIGATION the conduct of our Governor ON this sub
atty becoming his high position as Chief Magis-
tratc of the Commonwealth, and has exhibited
himself upon the stump as the avOwed and active
parsizan Of sectional interest. Required by his
official position to act merely executive Off
Ger and carry into effect law of the Common
wealth, he has aided faction in their preparations
Of opposition to the law, and given them before
hand assurances of his official nterposition 10 de-
feat its object IL defeat should be found necessary
for the accomplishment Of the purposes Of that fac
tiCn.
We have also witnessed with astonishment the
conduct of majority of the Board Of Public Works.
They have undertaken, without the shadow Of le-
gal right, to control the action of the State proxy
who is selected for his community Of interest with
the Stockholders, by instructing him to give vote
in direct opposition the true interests of the Com
pany. Msjudgng the character, and disregard
ing the feelings Of the State proxy, they placed
their instructions in the hands of their confidential
partizans, IN the vain hope of intimidatng him in
to a servile compliance with their behesis, and a
sacrifice of the interests which had been entrusted
to his guardianship. Having failed in this attempt,
they resort To the novel expedien of requiring from
the new stockholders compliance with conditions
heretofore unknown, and when all these exped-
ents are disappointed, and all their efforts at pro-
crastnation overcome, they have finally, in viola
ton of all law, in disregard of the good faith of the
State and In opposition TO the official advice of the
! Law -advser of the Commonwealth, claimed to
hold the keys Of the treasury, and have refused to
obey the solemn mandate of the General Assembly.
In view Of this extraordinary state Of things
| Resolrcd, That the conduct of the Governor.
and Of majority of the Board of Public Works,
demands the stern rebuke of just public opinion,
and we appeal with confidence 10 all who would
maintain the responsibility of the Chief Magisira
cy of our State to all who would impose Just re-
straints upon official usurpation TO all who would
uphold the interests of public Improvements agans,
| f,no La.
desire to maintain unsulled the plighted faith OF
the Commonwealth, TO unite with us in condeIn-
nation Of conduct SO extraordinary and unwarrant-
able. .. ,..ta,
Rcsolred, That we have no doubt that the Ge-
neral Assembly of Virginia will, without hesita-
ton, enforce from their agents a compliance with
! the solemn compacts Of the State, and will pro
perly rebuke those who have presumed to throw a
doubt upon the public faith. ,tl
Resoiped. That In any event appeal Will
undoubting confidence 10 an independent judiciary
to enforce rights vested under solemn public com
pact.
/ Resoloed, That in this belief we recommend I,
the Louisa Railroad Company to proceed will
their work
hesoloed, mat be appointed q com
mttee 10 bring before the Legislature the facts con
nected with this subject and TO ask of the Gener,
Assembly to inquire into the conduct of the BOARD
OF Public Works, and TO consider whether the in
'o'eS's VI the S'ate at large do not require a re
organization OF that Board to secure fair re-
presentation of the different sections of the Com
monwealth. IT. ff. 49,.
The blank in the fifth resolution was then filled
by the Chair with the names Of Messrs Thomas
}. Niche. A. II. H. Stuart, and John b. Baldwin
Erasmus Stribling, Esq, then offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was adopted ,,ia
Resolped, That the Editors Of newspapers tbro,
out the Commonwealth, be requested 10 publish
these proceedings at as early day as practicable
Or And, on motion of John NJ. McCue, Esq, the
meeting then adjourned. ~ as,...r - H.,
70 Jig q SAMUEL CLARKE, Chm.
H. r. p. KINNEY, Sec'y.l s-. - VI,