Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1848-04-08
IMP'ROV & NJ E N rs,
REMARKS OF MR.. THOMSON,

| sAhAAS VI WIZ IHOMSON,
Cor JEFFERSON, IN THE VA no. or DELgaarEs
On ts LyneA6Grg 4. Tide Watr Raj Road Bin.
Mr. Thomson said he was glad to have
this opportunity to say a word, and put
himself right before the House in regard.
to his votes against the different Rail Road
bills that had been under its consideration.
The amendment to this bill proposed BIZ
the gentleman from Dinwiddie, (Mr. Gil,
liam,) fixing the tolls on plaster, salt, gyp.
sum, lime, and guano, at 2 cents per ton
per mile, which is 50 warmly resisted by.
the gentleman from Pittsylyapia The
able and eloquent advocate of the asifoga
riUcfS, |" as he terms them--at once presents
a fair and tangible test Of the value Of
these same @iron rivers to the farming
community, for the transportation of their
produce. If the friends of this enormous
rail road policy will only now 20 a litsle
further, and bind themselves to carry tbs
products Of the soil for the same rate Der
ton per mile as the above, or for canul
rates, or near them--if they will bind
themselves toapproach the Wanted Phila.
delphia and Reading road in their rates.
ne SoH Witu vote ct s fSF Their sshsnes all
already expressed his views Of the proper
improvements for the State, and which he
believed to be those Of her rivers and tr,-
butaries,. and that such improvements
would afford far the cheapest means of
transportation, whilst their prime cost
would be infinitely less than rail roads, IN
the first instance. If he was wrong IN
these views, and the siron rivers system
is nearer to, the requirements Of the age,
let the friends of that system, who have
all faithin it, guarantee to the farming in
terest the above rates, and he would not
again open his lips-for they would then
be backing their promises BY their deeds,
and giving patent evidence Of their inward
faith. The proof Of the pudding is to be
found only in. the eating, and he hailed
this new feature in rail road bills, which
puts down its rates to a certain extent in
black and white, and those rates to be p
cents per ton per mile. Let the friends
of other bills all toe the mark in the same
outward and visible forms Of their inward
J and spiritual faith, and he would promise
to withdraw his opposition, and to sqppeIt
4 them warmly.
| He would also endorse, with all Bis
heart, the sentiments Of the gentleman
. from .Fauquier That gentleman is in f.
vor of Mr.. Gilliam's amendment, would
like to see competition among these rail-
roads, and says very properly that otbar
q interests besides theirs are to be consider
ed. This Mr.. 4. thought exactly right,
and that, whilst.we surrender system III
improvements admitting competition HE
i referred to our, free Ind open highways,
the riyers-and committed our persSns
and productsto .uhe tender mercies Of close
corporations, III was Just and right Iye
should have the benefit Of competition d:
mong these companies, as well as fullsss-
! cprity, IN the limitation Of their rights.
II Mr. 81 said the cities had been spoken
|, Of, and be had no hostility to them Oh
the other hand, he would foster them ~
the centre Of trade !. bit only when thc5
were the natural centres of trade. IIg
.. would not render communities tributary
to them. and build up railroads with thu
means Of the people for the purpose u
fSrcing trade out Of its natural channels
for their benefit. When the farmers pre-
ducts are ready for market, they shouldIhe
/ transported By the most direct and ehaar,
est way to their ultimate p,ofkcf, and ia
| interIhedlate stases that can possibly lbs
avoided where his products are often