Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-01-03
CORRESPONDENTS OF TIE SPECTATOR.

RICHMOND, Dee. 22d, lS4S
.Messrs. Editors Little of interest has been
mixed up with the proceedings Of the Legislature
for the last week or two; if we except right spi-
cy and interesting debate growing out of a resolu-
ton offered by one OF the delegates from Pitsylva-
mia, Mr.. Grassy, which directed that the Speaker
should be requested invite, in rotation, some one
OF the clergy of the various religious denominations
of the city, 10 open the daily sessions of the House
with prayer. 1t has always struck me with sur
prise that the Legislature of Virginia should for
such length of time that intervening between
the Declaration Of Independence, or about that time,
to the present, neglect this time hOnored and appro-
pirate custom. 1t has told badly for the moral sense
Of that body. The debate took wide range and
brought out several OF the best debaiers in The house.
and among them take pleasure in mentioning the
name Of the member from Wheeling, Mr.. Pits
young man, yet chaste, forcible and beautiful
speaker, (and who introduced himself very favora-
bly, 10 the notice Of the House in seconding the no.
mnatlOn of MIR. Thompson, of his city, for Cover
nor-that being his debut) was amused at the
fact that those who most opposed the resolution,
seemed to be perfectly hoyrtied at the idea of any
one but an orthodox clergyman being permitted 10
Officiae under the wording of the resolution
After debate uselessly carried into two days, the
resolution was adopted, and, in accordance with il,
the Rev. Bishop Johns, yesterday othciated in n
very impressive and appropriate prayer, and TO day
Rev. Leroy M. Lee, Of the NJ. f.. Church, dis
charged the duty equally well. | was gratitied to
perceive the deathlike quiet and docorum that
marked the department OF not only the members
but also the spectators in the gallery.
There is much activity among the friends Of The
several grand schemes of Internal Improvement in
Legislature, in behalf Of their several projects
but among all, the friends of the South Western
road are probably active as any others. They
continue to publish fact after fact petitions details
letters-in short, every thing calculated TO excite
interest in behalf of their road. Shall we not imi
tate this good example? Cannot those from this
point to the Ohio, along the line of this emphat
cay The improvement of Virginia, arrange impor
tant facts and statistics that will excite attention tc
the suhject2
! You may rest assured if those so decplv and d
rectIy interested as of the centre of the State
are in this improvement, continue to be apathetit
on the subject, public sentiment will become fore
stalled in favor of other and minor improvements
| that will have a tendency to reiard action on this
We could form cabinet ofminerals nearly ifno
quite as rich as those from the South west. collect
ed from the Valley the intermediate mountain re-
glon and the kaDawha valley.
| wish had time to place before your readers
some statistics connected with this subject. tina
would interest and draw attention to what must BIZ
OF infinite advantage to all our people There are
portions Of the last Report of the Baltimore and o
ho Rail road Company, that come under this cha
Tacter.
! will quote brief extract from the Rail RoaC
Journa-(by the way, paper that deserves a wi
! der patronage than it gets IN Virginia :)-"Tht
full influence which the passengers and traffic rail
way is TO exert the relations Of society is far from
being developed but it is already great. lis agen
cy is already felt in every department Of public ant
private business. Its speed and punctualiiy arr
changing the habits of domestic life, the arrange
ments of commerce., both in detail and in the gross
and even the civil and military organization o
States.
Who ever has stood on an emiDence that com
mands an extensive view Of any Of our main trunk
lines, with its subsidiary branches, in the vicinity
of some great centre Of industry must have been
struck with its power Of annihilatIng distance. Al
brief stated intervals the graceful white steam cloud
waving on tho wind, like some chvalrous banner
marks the progress Of the train along the central