Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-14
correspondence of tho spectator.

week, by way Of beginning, may not be entirety
unacceptable. The news market is dull at pres
ent, but newsmuhSers nevertheless, are IN lever
ish condition in anticipation of an active winter
from the political and foreign Developments IN nc
very remote prospect
One significant circumstance, however, IS nola
bic here. The subject of federal politics receives
the cold shoulder. Virginians now seem disposed
to forago their wputed ''abstracilons" on federal
relations. and are evincug an absorbing interes
in the exciting practical questions that now SC
deeply concern the Old Dominion. The policy
and plans of the federal government are topics o.
conversation of course, as is the news from Eu'
rope, but rarely if ever now are they topics OF aus
c,tssion and of such fierce dlalectcs as was COM
monty the case heretofore wherever and whenever
two or three Virginiaus were gathered together
Members of the Legislature seem far less concern
ed to know the politics Of each other, than the O.
pinions as to particular lines Of internal improve
ments. A Clerk was elected Tor two standing
Committees of the House, who was Democrat
over Wing opponent, when majority OF the
voters were Wings, and the question OF politics
was not even started.
Internal Improvements is the great and absorb
ing subject at present. The appropriations OF last
winter seem only 10 have excited, not satisfied
the public appetite. More resolutions of inquiry
on the subject have been adopted thus far' than
perhaps at any previous session in the same ume
mostly for works of minor imPortance,and OF To-
cal concern, but forming an alarming aggregate
The committee on Roads sc are threatened win
more work than all the other committees COM
bined 1t is feared that the anti-lnternal improve
ment party will become more desperate than mere
tofore. and less disposed 10 discriminate for the
important lines, in the midst of the clamor OF To-
ca schemes Such course, however, would De
injudicious and only provoke more vigorous and
irresistible log--olling result union OF the anti
improvement party with the friends of the leading
lines, is all important for the interests and credit
of the State.
The Central road is assuming its real position
as the great line of the State. Innumerabe turn
pixies are tending towards it, and local railways
are seeking its stem throughout its whole route.
If these various contributing schemes are carried
out it muslin time become the great trunk line OF
trade from West to East. The York River
Railroad. which is but the tide water link OF the
Central. will certainly and speedily be made; and
when the short line is constructed from Charlotes
vile to Richmond, the Central Improvement Will
afford not only the shortest actual, but even the
shortest possible railway from the deep water OF
the Ohio and Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic
Ocean.
The Board of Public Works, thanks to DR.. Ora
ham. Granted leave to day, to Mr.. Ellet to place
force upon the unfinished portion Of the State
work, on the mountain, adjoining the temporary
track. Mr.. Ellet confidently predicts that he
will have THE CARS CROSSING THE BLUE RIDGE
IN JANUARY NEXT! Glory enough for one
wear! The track will then be laid to Panther
Gap by summer, while but for this it would have
been delayed another year. Mr.. ElIet deserves
the thanks of Augusta for his perseverance in this
! matter in spite of the impediments in his way e.
ven of obtaining the leave to push forward this
work. When the iron bands are once firmly uni
ted. connecting Richmond and Stanton in unln-
terrupted communication. new era will dawn
upon the prosperity of either place. This very
day the depot of the Central road in Richmond,
contains more produce from Augusta than any
other county, and passengers have passed daily
for the last week over the road from Stanton to
Richmond. When the connection is complete,
Staunton will become the suburbs to Richmond
or, begging pardon, it may be conrerso.
J. S. French, Esq, is here with model OF his
invention for overcoming steep grades on railways.
With the present Locomotive engines great
weight is required to press the wheels upon the
track to give them 'bte" SO as to turn not silp'
on the rails ); Mr.. French's plan dspenses with
the weight by providing small wheel to run or-
posite the large wheel on the rail, which has
projecting rim for the under smaller wheel and
thus clamps the large wheel upon the rail. Mr.
French also proposes 10 substitute cast iron rails
with wrought iron ties, as much cheaper and bet
ter than wrought rails. He has plan also for
coupling cars by extending the platforms between
the cars, and making a curved joint, or the con-
yex end of one platform to turn in the concave
end of the other, removing that fearful source OF
accident on railways.
Mr.. French has bill before the Legislature tor
charter to construct his plan of railways, at prl
yate expense. on the short route between Rich
| mond and Staunton He is confident in the sue
cess of his invention on fair trial, and processes
| to have the capital at command to commence his
railroad so soon as the charter is granted The
Central Railroad interest," desiring to preserve this
particular route for its own use, may oppose Inc
charter for experimenting on that location, but II
Mr.. French's scheme be really feasible he VIII
doubtless obtain assistance to operate 1t on some
other sufficient ruute The "Dora Coal Compa-
nv" might give it their profoundest consideration
the hills between Stanton and Mt. Scion would
test the capacity fthe "cmber" quite eiectnally.
The Legislature is now fully organized; the
committees are at work and the business OF the
session is about to begin in spirit that promises
despatch The body is composed Of an unusually
large number of new and young members-llo
out of l52 are ''new hands at the 6ettows"-we
will probably not lack for wind, however. The
new members are generally young men, and near
lY all are alumni of the University, Washington
COLLEGE. the Military Institute or some other State
College They are mostly bachelors. and some
of them remarkably good looking. (Ihis last is
in confidence. for your young lady readers.) An
old Minister used to say that whenever he want
ed good congregation of young ladies. he aP-
pointed the day for sermon expressly to young
men. and it never failed to draw the softer sex; il
n Minister had not said this no one would believe
it. If there be anything in the idea we may ex
pec the city 10 be graced with many fair vislters
this winter. and consequently brilliant season IN
the beau monde. Yours, L.
&C. Mr.. Hllet. Engineer of the Virginia Cen
= IL N.4.or.ai Lit