Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-25
VIRGINIA LEGIsIATU RE.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY q, 1851.
GEN ATE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY q, 1851.
sen ATE.
The bill establishing system Of free schools for the com
~ OF Hanover was taken up and being explained By Mr.
AMBLER, passed.
MI DENEALE, from the committee on internal Improve
nents, reported bills
An 10 change the rates OF poage upon certain vessels
Mr.. DENEALE felt no interest in relation the matter
but would like know whether the provisions OF the bill
met the appreciation Of parties concerned.
Mr. STANARD thought the plloage referred 10 had refer
ence the civ OF Noolshe Senator from that district
was absent but he took il for granted that the bill
ceptabe Ii applied 10 vessels OF war only.
Mr. WOODS from the reading of the bill, was not alto
gether satisfied that il did not apply TO other vessels as well
az vessels of war Besides he had thought that this
was all arranged Revision, and he could why
change asked ior
Mr.. STANARD without, of course intimatine any ohec-
ton the BILL would move for the present. that be laid up
on the table which was agreed TO-
On motion of Mr. DENEALE, the bill Incorporating the
Hampshire and Frederick Turnpike Company taken
The amendment providing that The of the construction
of the road shall not exceed $500 per mile agreed
and the bill amended being advocated BY Mr.. DENEALE:
passed without count.
The preamble and resolutions in relation TO the Wire SuS-
pension Bridge at Wheeling was taken up.
Mr.. DENEALE moved 10 lay them on the table. (A
member hoped with The understanding that they would
be called UP again)
Mr. WEST said that although the matter had been fully
discussed in the Senate and elsewhere and we'll under
stood he would not oppose the motion 10 lay the table
the object was 10 give members opportunity of obtain
ing light; but he certainly opposed the PROPOSE
ton TO allow the sleep the sleep Of death He
of those who believed in resurrection from the dead
He continued advocate considerable length the prop
ETY. the adoption Of the resolutions He could why
they had with objections. The Bridge had been built by
citizens Of Virginia in conformity express stpualons Of
iaw and the Legislature at its last session had decided
The State of Penns vania engaged in the defence
her citizens and he could not the proprty with
holding the aid of the State nj Virginia defence her
liens Such fact his feelings upon the subject that
the Legislature of Virginia should DC found thus negligent
and careless of the interests of her citizens and allow
the resolutions be rejected he would feel very much like
standing by the Belmont Bridge with his muske, upon his
shoulder.
Mr. WARD was not exactly ready shoulder his mu.ke
in defence of the interests Of the Belmont COMPANY he
assured the gentleman that he ready rote for TIC
ambe and resoutions but G no objection ayag upon
the table.
Mr. THOMPSON OF Amherst thought this question had
been before Senate long enough and his policy would
lay the preamble and resolutions the table with the
understanding that they would not be called up again.
Mr.. DENEALE did not wish to pursue that course. He
prepared that time vote and his object in ask
ing for delay TO enable him 10 obtain such Information
would lead him just and proper conclusions upon The
subject. His ncnaons rather in favor of tine adop
ton of the resolutions but he did wish to hastily
MIR. THOMPSON, of A., continued 10 address the Sc
He thought that if there had been any spectators in
the gallery who had heard the remarks of the Senator from
the Wheeling District they would have 10 the concu
sion, that serious invasion had been made upon
the State of Virginia Now what were the facts OF The
case2 company had been incorporated by act of Assem-
bly, bridge the Ohio River at Wheeling
The act of incorporation itself provided bridge should
be constructed obstruct the navigation Of that
river Citizens of Pennsy vana thought that the bridge
obstruction and application had been made the Fede
raj court for the purpose Of ascerlanng whether the bridge
was high enough to permit boats 10 pass-ha question was
before the court and although the Legislature had de-
claed last winter that tho bridge constructed in conor
nifty OF Incorporation, il still thought be
question within the jurisdiction Of the Courts and he had
every confidence in the purity of the Supreme Court and
well satisfied that il should be not coming with
their jurisdiction the fact would be discovered and the
would decide accordingly. The court had employed
Chancellor gather facts in relation 10 the controversy
which had resulted in report now before the court That
report the bridge is twenty EIGHT feet too
low make the river safe for the navigation OF steamboats,;
bu, that report had undergo the examination Of the court
and that body might a very different conclusion
Mr. T. had understood that this Bridge company was very
strong company and did not lack Tor mcans-and he
willing that the State should volunteer herself and be
come party 10 this suit The Senator from Wheeling had
let the Of the bag He was for shoulderng his mus
ket and standing by the Belmont bridge.
Mr. WEST explained that il the bridge II b: torn
don he would feel very much like shoudcrng his muskei
and standing By il.
Mr.. THOMPSON did not misunderstood the gentleman.
As for himself he had such feelings. He would
and abide hy The law II. hoped that the Court would de-
eide in favor Of the Conpany-hat his deSire5u it
they should motif they should decide otherwise, lie should
regard offence that would Justify him in taking
up arms and going 10 He thought il would DC undg-
nied in the take any part in this controversy ind
he hoped The would be allowed upon the table
Mr. WEST thought the Senator from Amherst
abiding by the decisions Of law refusing 10 vote Tor the
resolutions. II had been decided that this bridge was
structcd according 10 the provisions Of aw.
MIR. THOMPSON said that IL was not competent IN our
acts of legislation go beyond certain limits The State
could confer power for instance 10 divert stream OF
from his farm.
Mr. DENEALE thought some allowance ought TO be
made for the Senator from the Wheeling district He was
soldier and The excitement Of the moment had taken him
back 10 the martial music Of l52 was the Inspiration OF
that period which had fired up his soul.
Mr. WEST was not for war. His people were not
like peopethey for peaceye he could not take back
he had spoken-hough under other circumstances he
might have spoken with less warmth He would still stand
by the bridge and the lawful and constitutional rights OF his
people
offered no inducements 10 the Company TO come here
and ask for an of Incorporation IL was their own
voluntary work. They had asked for an act of ncor-
poration and the Legislature had granted II upon GER
tain conditions namely that the navigation OF the
Ohio River should be INSTRUCTED The stpuaiions OF
the charter had been adhered and If distractions do
exist the action Of the Legislature last winter does not ei
feet tbnt fact The company stand just where they
stood before the declaration Of the Legislature last winter
and the condition that they occupy was one In which We had
not placed them.
Mr. RIVES had no objection 10 postponement, but hoped
the would be made the order Of the day Tor some par
tcuar day. He very much inclined 10 believe mat The
State ought employ counsel Like the Senator IRON Am
herst he had great confidence in the purity OF the Su prene
Court but every body knew something of the effect that in
senious counsel had upon The Ii the bridge was not
high enough BY twenyeght fse amounted to total and
entire destruction of the whole fabric Raised that high the
curve would be great that could be crossed
Mr.. HoRNER then addressed The Senate. de under.
counsel in the case and he could tor giving
the Governor the power employ additional counsel The
object was give this company the particular counte-
nance the State He had prepared preamble and eso
ton as substitute, which he read
Mr.. WOODS thought that We should express no more
opinions upon This subject. We had he thought already
expressed The right the Ohio River
was reserved every citizen the United Statcsthe Gill
zens Virginia included The navigation OF that river has
been obstructcd by this bridge and 10 ci-
zens Virginia we'll citizens of Pennsy vania The
object of the suit instituted by Penn vana was 10 esta
sh existence of this obstruction and il alike TO
protect the interests of citizens well as foreign
citizens -.
After farther remarks by Messrs WEST, WOODS, DE-
NEALE, 1SBELL and SEACKELFoRD the preamble
and resolutions laid the table and made the order o
the day for Wednesday next.
On motion of Mr.. THOMPSON of Dinwiddie, resou-
ton adopted o-noro% being the 22i February provi'
ding that when the Senate doun to-day adjourn to meet
on Monday next
On motion of Mr.. WARD, the bill in relation to the Guy
andotte Navigation Company taken up.
After remarks by Mcssrs. Wood, Ward and Thomas on
motion of the aiter, the bill was laid upon the table
On motion of Mr. CRUMP the resolution voting sword
TO Captain Hamilton L. Shields taken up.
The resolution warmly advocated by Messrs Crump
and Thompson of Dinwidde and opposed by alessrs De-
neuc Thompson of Amherst Shackclord and Horner Op
position resolution founded upon the fact that
was impossible for the State TO these swords without
discriminating and thereby doing injustice 10 many brave