Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-03-16
Pittsburgh and Hempaeld Railroad.

The proviso to the bill authorizing the city of
Philadelphia to subscribe TO the stock OF the
Hempheld railroad company, which is proposed
and advocated by the delegation from Allegheny
county, is in these words.
'Proniaed, That the said subscription shall not
be allowed or lawful, unless the Legislature of
Virginia, shall, at its present session, grant to the
Pittsburgh and Steubenville railroad company the
night of way across the tfrritory OF Virginia. on
such reasonable terms nay be satisfactory to
said Pittsburgh and Steubensille railroad company;
and connect their said irith the
SteubenriHe aud Indiana railroad.S tEsK'
BY the terms of this provlso, the State of Penn
sylvanlu delegates the power 10 enact a law, in
tended for the immediate benefit of the counties
of Philadelphia, Washington and Wes,moreland,
in the first instance, 10 the Legislature of Vrgir.
ia. The act of Pennsylvania will have no vitali-
ty, until it's confirmed by responsive act of Vir
ginia. And this extraordinary proposition is sup
ported by an appeal TO State pride. What, tits
asked, is the character of that State pride which
Is willing TO aubiect the interests of some of the
oldest and richest counties of Pennsylvania to he
prejudice, charity, OF compassion of another
State2
But the people of Allegheny county not satisfied
with placing the Commonwealth in this humilia-
ting posture, and as if wishing 10 degrade her to
the last degree, go yet furtheEPand demand not
merely that an act of the Legislature ofPennsyl-
vania shall be sent TO Virginia for its ratification,
but that the Pittsburgh and Steubenviue railroad
company shall have conferred upon ii peto p0,o-
er over the acts of both Legislatures. g-sr's -re
The proposed law of Pennsylvania, by The
terms of this proviso, is to be ifeless until the
State oil Virginia grants certain privilege to the
Steubenvllle railroad company--and then 1t only
to have tality This Imperial company shall
declare itself satisfied. The city of Philadelphia
is thus only TO he permitted to grant her aid to
Washington and Westmoreland in the construction
of an all important railroad; when The Steuben-
vile company atleSS, by lis official SEAL that its
president aud directors, or engineer have approved
of the Joint action of the Legislatures of tins Com
NON n md Vtrufn ms
lSitcome to this, that respectable citizens ofAl-
leghcny county will ask this Legislature 10 dele
gate lis power to aid its own citizens 10 the Legs
latmre of another State, with veto power over
the acts of both to a railroad company? Such a
proposition will aSSuredly receve a stern rebuke.
Again: This proviso not only demands the right
of way through Virgn, but also the right to con-
meet the Pittsburgh and Steubenvlle railroad with
the Steubenville and Indiana road, in the State OF
Ohio: Butthis connection can only be made by
means of BRIDGE. Now, it is respectfully asked,
how can the State of Pennsylvania demand the
CONCESSION of a charter for bridge across the
Ohio Tor the benefit of Pittsburgh, from Virginia,
VIII IN we, the State of Pennsylvania, have been
for three or four years conteSting, and are yet
contesting, before the supreme Court oil the
United States, the authority of Virginia to grant
such charter? How, in the name of consistency
how, with decent regard for The character OF
the Stcte-can we ask Virginia TO giant char
ter for bridge across this river, while we deny
her authority 10 make egrants
SuLCIyg Tue Representatives, VI fhllC'
gheny county will not urge the Legislature to lead
this great and honored Commonwealth into such 8
discreditable position. The instincts of the peo
pie of this State are just; and they have right tc
claim just Legislation in all their domestic con-
tests, and 10 ask only that strict justice of .hei
neighbofs Which they are willing to mete out tc
their neighborS.
We cannot, with amy regard TO the reputation o
this Commonwealth before the country, occupy thu
extraordinary position of demanding from neigh
Dor what we alledge ii would be unlawful for tia
neighbor to grant. This would be wrong; ant
this honorable Legislature will permit no suci
wrong.
If the suit against the Virginia bridge be right
let us prosecute it, for the benefit of Pittsburgh
10 final execution. If it be wrong, for the credi
and character of the Stale, let us dismiss it AM
make reparatlon Tor the injury done 10 the defen
dants. Let Pittsburgh he consistent. The Leg
islature represents the honor of the Common
wealth and must act with true regard for her hon
or. s...--sr -.r rc 5.ss Es5F .
They will not ask Virginia to do what they hav
declared that Virginia has right or power 10 DO
and they will not delegate either TO the state Q
Virginia or to the Steubenvile company, the pow
er 10 decide question affecting the welfare O
Phila delphia or the counties of Washington o
Westmoreand. They will not subject the grea
interests of these counties 10 the supervision an
control of any corpotation in or out of Pittsburgh
.f...