Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-12-17
RIcHMoNp, Dec. llrH. lS49

RIcHMoSD, Dec. llTH, lS40
Mr.. SEGAR addressed the House upon the Covlngton
and kanawha Railroad bill yesterday under consldera
ton. He was friend of Internal improvement, but pro-
positions of this character brought him to halt The
bill proposed improvement which would fix a heavy
charge upon the Treasury it proposed work which
was disconnected in its parts, which would produce no
revenue whatsoever until should be completed through
out its whole length it proposed an Improvement upon
the joint stock principle by way of efecng the first
portion Of the work. and upon State account exclusively
by way of completing 1t across the mountains to the IA
nav ha River. He preferred that it should be comp leed
To Covington, that the income might reimburse the
Treasury 20 some extent for the expense OF lis construc
ton. IL proposition made for the gradual COM
pleon of that work which should connect the East with
the West, he would moi hesitate to support III but,
re regarded the present wase.ul and eXiravagan
1, Ian, and could not consent 10 tax his constituents to
pay for it. If finished gradually, the road, like the
Louisa Road would commend itself to the favor of the
people, He compliTened,h the member from Prince W IL
liam, for his patriotism and intelligence, as an Eastern
friend of Internal improv emenl; he thanked him cordial
iy. He regretted that the patrons of the bill had de
clared their determination to submit no amendment he
trusted that since they had reflected upon the subject
they would acquesce in the amendment proposed he
himself should offer certain amendments, corresponding
IN spirit with that proposed by the member from Prince
William, before however he stated his amendment in de-
tail, he should offer remarks upon the History of
Internal Improvements.
He should reiteate the opinions. that the antInerna
improvement men, here, were responsible for the unpre
cedented Improvements he proceeded to illustrate it by
supposlng cases of combination in which the friends of
prominent schemes compelled TO recruit amongst
The friends of every proposition, in order to get their
propositions through. The anInernal Improvement
interest members held the balance of power; it was
with them TO determine in favor against the various
Improvements; If In opposing ALL they passed all, it
plain that in selecting of the more important i'm
provemens, they might relieve their friends of the ne
cessty Of advocating all.
MIR. Segar adverted to the condition ofhe Treasury
and went into calculation TO prove that the State debts
interest paying stocks were sufficiently valuable TO meet
her engagements and that in fact she owed very little
debt He expressed his willingness to vote for The
tension Of The Louisa Road to Covington, but could not
advocate the bill in its TERMS
Mr.. Stovall rose to correct Mr. Segar's statement in
regard to the Stale debt he estimated her debt at
much larger sum, for he unwilling to admit that
sale OF the State stocks in works of Internal Improve
ments would bring The of her debts. For the
purpose OF sustaining this view he referred documents
but concudedby affirming his determination 10 make
good The engagements of the State, let them be what
they might. lie had voted for increased taxation and
had been sustained by his constituents and he had no
fears ofothers dispeasure, of their unwnaness to
make good the engagements of the State.
The above is fair summary of the debates: it is in.
ofuced for the purpose of showing the sentiment of the
House upon the subject of Internal Improv ements That
oy seems disguised to pause and make more appro
than are absolutely necessary But the House
a""ufned without any decisive vote upon be PROPOSE