Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-06-02
RIcuMosD, May ee, 1859.

Eaitor OF fhs Register
DEAR Sm-I have been slow in perform
ing my promise Of advising you Of the
PROGRESS of events here. suppose, how
ever. that YOU have been advised through
other channels, of the progress Of Legis-
Ilation. Doubtless your readers have all
been attracted, if not excited, by the pro-
ceedings of portion of the people OF this
city, growing out of the communication OF
the punishment of slave (Jordan Hatch
.er.) was an eye witness of the pro-
ceedings in front of the Governors Man.
sion. and a more shameful outrage was
never committed any where-certainly
never before in Virginia. You have seen
the proceedings in the Legislature upon
this subject. The committee raised to
investigate this subject has not yet repor-
ted, and / do not know the character of
the evidence elected so far. / think 1t
will be the beginning of an agitation for
the removal of the Capitol, This propo-
sition would now carry in the House of
Delegates, but could not l think pass the
Senate. The question would assume
somewhat a sectional aspect, and of course
with a majority of 10 in that branch There
would be little chance of success. But
there are, aside from every feeling of pas
sion and prejudice that may be excited
AGAINST Richmond, or sectional feeling,
reasons connected with the finances of the
State, with the Justice, equality and wis
dom of Legislation, that viii ultimately
take the Capitol from Richmond. Expe'
rience has shewn that the laws of State
ought to be framed outside of the influence
of large commercial cities or towns. They
exercise an undue influence in Legislation
and the soundest policy requires that the
Capitol should be distant from these i'm
proper influences. We have had little
excitement here for day or two growing
out of the act for fixing the places for hol-
ding the District Courts. The Senate
made two amendments to the Bill as it
came from the House-to wit: inserting
Lynchburg in the place of Pittsylvania
Court House, and inserting Clarksburg
instead of Fairmont. The House of Del
egates on yesterday disagreed to both
amendments, and the Senate receded from
it's amendment by one vote in the case of
Clarksburg and Fairmont so that Fair
mont gets the District Court. Your rea-
ders will no doubt, many of them, be dis
appointed at this result. trust they will
have no reason to be dissatisfied with the
Senate upon this subject. You will see
by the proceedings that there will be an
adjournment on the 18th of June to the
4th Monday in November. could not
approve the proposition, yet there were
strong reasons for it. Members were un-
willing to vote conjectural tax bill to
last for two years, and the Commission
er's lists could not be had before August
or September, nor were they willing to
give to the Auditor the power of assessing
the per centum of tax that would yield the
amount of money the Legislature might
declare should be raised to satisfy the
requirements of the new constitution
Besides, many Western gentlemen are,
and think have reason to be dissatisfied
with the tax bill, and desire to have one
more chance to change it, without having
to wait two years. But the checks and
balances of the new Constitution have put
those who have wronged us, pretty much
in our power, for if we cannot prevent
them from taxing us unjustly, we can pre-
vent any increase of the Public debt for In
ternal improvements, and that Furnishes
many of them more than we are punish
ed Another reason urged, was that
Congress had not acted upon the subject
of apportionment Of presentation, and
we cannot divide the State into Congress
sional Districts till Congress acts. There
will be no appropriations this session, and
any increase of the taxes will be caused
solely on account of the debt already in
CURED. Your friend,
B. BASEL.