Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-02-23
Correspondence Of the Spectator.


.Messrs. Editors Tho sole topic Of converse
ton here in Legislative circles this evening. is
Russel's speech, madoin the House to-day. The
subject under consideration was proposition to
allow Pittsburg to connect with Steubenvile by
railroad across the .'Pan handle" and bridge
over the Ohio river, % miles above the City Of
Wheeling the object Of Pittsourg being to secure
direct connection with the Ohio improvements
so high up as to cut off Wheeling from large
share of the Immense trade of the West secured
to her by the completion Of the Baltimore and O.
hlo railroad. Notwithstanding the infamous con-
duct of Pittsburg toward Wheeling heretofore, in
her effort to destroy the magnificent bridge that
spans the Ohio at the latter city, she has had the
brazen efffontery to ask ieave Of Virginia Legs-
lature to construct bridge for her own benefit
few miles above the one she is still most perseyer-
ingly endeavorihg to destroy. And to accomplish
this end she has had her feed counsel and hire
ling agents swarming around the Capitol here all
winter, alternately treating and importuning mem
bers to vote hcr the privilege to injure most grev-
ously der already much wronged rival. Upon
/ this subject Charles w. Russell, a Delegate from
| Wheeling, addressed the House to-day. Such i
speech have never heard within the walls of
our Capitol before. The universal sentiment of
all--members and visitors alike-is that it was
one of the most mastery efforts they ever heard.
He was listened to throughout with bfeathless at
tention, and when he took his seat members from
all parts of the Hall and visitors too iUcked around
him to tender their congratulations. distinguish
ed member of Mr.. Folks Cabinet who CHANGED
to be present, was amongst the first TO congratu-
late him, and afterwards remarked to friend in
my hearing, that it was one of the most magnlfi-
cent speeches he had ever beard. In the morning
many members supposed that the bill would pass,
but this speech produced such an effect that it was
indefinitely postponed, by vote of about two to
one, in spite of the immense out door influence
that had been brought to bear upon it.
Mr.. Russell is still young man, probably not
over 80 years of age-but he is destined despite
his modesty and retiring disposition to fill large
space in the public affairs Of the country. And
since the retirement from politics of the great 81
ant of the West, George w. SUMMERS, know Of
no one on whom the Wing party Of Vitginia may
rally az their leader, who combines SO many eie-
ments of popularity and success as Charles W..
Russell. He needs but to he known to be below
cd and admired by all men.
The joint resolution to adjourn OH the 25th in
slant has been rescnded. do not think we shall
be able to get through with the public business
before about the LIST of April
The House passed bill to- day lending $780,
900 to the James River and Kanawha Company
to prosecute their work to Clifton Forge or Gov
ington. That Company is required by the bill,
before they receive the money, to decide in gene
raj meeting of the Stockholders, whether they will
insist on their right of way across the mountains,
and to inform the next General Assembly of their
decision of that question.
Since the opening of the Central Railroad to Me-
chum's River,'it has been found very difficult to
meet the demand for the transportation of freight.
| understand that lao wagons passed through
Waynesborough in one day, short time since,
and that the receipts at the depot have amounted
to as much as 1900 bbls. of flour in one day
What will it be when the road reaches the Val
ley2 !.