Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-15
nnaE r1e&s.

"Wednesday night ABOUT / O'CLOCK. Inc a"eIi'"S
house Of Mr.. OWEN G. MORRIS, at the Northern
extremity Of the town. was discovered to be on ire
As usual the intelligence created quite commohoh'
and numbers repaired 10 The scene of disaser--not
prepared however to act with any degree OF efcien-
cy. The flames we're with difficulty extingushed,
after serious injury to the property 1t Is generally
supposed tina, the House was fred by some iacendl-
arv. as it was unnhabed and no fire was discover
ed about the premises. No clue as yet as to the
perpetraor.
These frequent fires show the necessity Of some
efficient aud sysiemalzed organization for the pro-
lection of property 1t is remarkable, that IN pop
ualion of more than 5000, with stake equal at
least 10 mos, places Of the same size, with an expo
sure inferior TO none and with facilities and maleri-
ais for protection superior to most, there should De
10 such organization known in Stanton as Fire
Company. We have heard it suggested that "Mu-
!ual Insurance Company" would make it the interest
of men 10 avork on such occasions, and we think the
idea good. Let men feel that in the event OF loss
their rockets will suffer well as ths-lsoper'y ow-
ners and our word for it they will not stand by idle
spectators Of the contlagralion "An ounce OF pre-
ventven however is said to be better 'lhan pound
of cure" and we would respectfully suggest 10 our
town authorities the propriely OF vgllant night
police In al probability this last fire was The work
of an incendary, ard If il vas not, such frequent
hints may develop more mischief. We trust these
suggestions may be acted upon, and, not like the
fires, end IN smoke.
Past experience, with recent warnings call Loudly
upon the citizens for prompt and efficient acton.--
Counsel unasked is for the most part thankess!v re-
ceived, and vet we are constrained TO say II is need
cd and tina, the supineness~and apathy exhibited up
on matter of such obvious and serious mpor-
lance, is not wise. We hope the March winds may
not reach US before due preparation be made for the
increased dangers of that period. In this matter, IL
nudity is prudence.
TIE PUBrIo LANps-The subject of the appor-
,ionment of the Public Lands among the States has
aGain been brought up in the house OF Delegates
and will be disposed of this time, we hope, with
due regard TO the interests OF the Commonwealth
The fact that Mr.. FERGUSON, leading Democratic
member, comes forward as an advocate OF partition
is favorable sign. Mr. SEGAR's resolutions assert
that s,the superintendent of the Public Lands among
all the States of the Union, for purposes OF internal
improvement and popular education, is the most E.
quable and the wsest disposition that can be
made Of the same - and in consideration that HE
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad and the Central
Railroad are works Of great national importance, our
Senators in Congress are instructed and our Repre-
senalives are requested their best efforts 10
procure the passage Of law appropriatng portion
of the public territory to Virginia for the prosecu-
ton of those works, without regard to the appor-
tionmeu;. Mr. BuRwELL's substitute proposes To in
vest the proceeds arising from the sales Of snch por
ton Of the public domain as may fall TO the share
of Virginia. in The stocks of such works of internal
Improvement as shall meet the appreciation OF the
Legislature; the dividends arising from the invest
ment 10 be appropriated towards The endowment of
, ,~"rtU euuVat'oa' ne 'Hes say . VII
r3rgUson's speech evidently startled and staggered
many of his brother Democrats.
He contended loudly and powerfully" says the
Times, "ror the constilulionality Of distribution,
which he affirmed had never been questioned before
Gen. JAcKsoN's Land Veto message, and that mes
sage we may add, affords the highest authority
which any act Of Gen. JAcKsoN's administration
could afford for the consuonality of a partition
of the public lands amongst the States. Having
maintained and established the constitutional point
Dir. Ferguson took the common sense view, that as
the oublc lands have ceased TO be source OF reve-
me 10 the Federal Government, and will, " all pro-
liability, be soon entirely dssipated in cessions for
a multitude of purposes, it behoves Virginia to de-
mand reasonable participation in their benefits
And so the people will think, and vote too, II they
ever have the opportunity"
The debate was continued on Friday, and accord
ing to the Wing, with increased interest. MIR. Mon
TAGUE, of Matthew's and Middlesex, spok in opposi-
ton to both propositions, and was replied to oy MIR
BrRwELL, of whose effort the Wing says 1--WE have
never listened to a more powerful or more STATES
manlike speech"
CgEAP PosrAGE.-From the state OF sentiment
among the members Of Congress, as revealed by the
debates in the House of Representatives,, there is 1T
lie doubt of the passage of bill reducing the rates
If hostage This is reform loudly called tor, ov
the people generally, and is every way highly des'-
rabe. We observe that Mr.. WENTWORTH has III