Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-02-16
YIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.

II " IN Ia IL "a u y Il n Il y ~.
RICHMOND. Friday, Feb. A. 1853.
SEsATE.-Mr. Sweeny called up the
bill to incorporate the Wheeling and Ka-
nawha line of boats. Mr.. s. explained
the bill, and it was read third time and
passed. 81.
To amend the Sd section of an act en-
tilted, can act to widen and complete the
Sistersville and Salem Turnpike road, }"
passed March e7th. 1851. [Ayes "a,
noes s.
HousE.-A bill to appropriate the fur
Their sum Of 800, 600 to McAdamize the
Northwestern road, was taken up. on
motion of Mr.. Bennett, and the substitute
proposed by Mr.. Boyd, being agreed to,
read third time.
An engrossed bill allowing the Monon-
gaheia Navigation company the further
- me ol lnree years to begin and complete
their work on motion of Mr.. Kidwell II
was taken up. and. on motion of Mr.
Russell the rules were suspended with n
view to reconsider the vote by which the
same was ordered to be engrossed, and,
on his motion was amended. On motion
of Mr.. Patrick, the bill was further amen
ded, and ordered to be read third time.
A bill concerning the registration of
marriages, births and deaths, read third
time; and, on motion of Mr.. Stuart, re-
committed to the committee for Courts of
Justice.
SATURDAY, Feb. 5.
SENATE.-Mr. Thomas submitted the
following resolution, which, he said, was
one of more than ordinary character, in
which his constituents had deep inte-
rest. 1t will be recollected that Virginia,
in an evil hour granted to the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company the right of
way through her territory, and had inn
prudently conferred upon that corporation
powers and privileges which were used
to the detriment of his constituents.
This company, by its unjust discrimina-
ton of the trade destined for Alexandria.
have already crippled the commerce of
that city, and now endeavor, by this i'm
proper course, still further to iniure her
interests.
A development has recently occurred
in a suit instituted by one of the gentle
men employed by that company, to pro-
cure its charter, by which it appears,
that in order to avoid the payment of the
fee which they contracted to give him,
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Compa-
ny have solemnly pleaded that this con-
tract, by which the services of that agent
was obtained, was against public policy,
and therefore null and void. In other
words the admission is made, that the
Virginia Legislature were cheated by inn
proper influences and representations into
the grant they bestowed upon that COM
pany, and this fact now stands adjudica-
ted by one of the United States Courts.
An opportunity is now offered to have
this matter judicially investigated, and
hold (said Mr.. Thomas) that it bee ONES
us, that our duty demands, to take such
steps as will compel that company to act
correctly toward the citizens of Virginia,
and test the validity of that charter. thu 5
illegally and fraudulently obtained.
RESOLVED, That the Committee for
Courts of Justice be instructed to inquire
into the character of the means employ
ed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company to obtain from the Legislature
of this State the right of way to Wheeling
over that part of the territory of Virgil
MIA on which the same is now located
whether it be in the power of the Gene
raj Assembly to annul the act by which
that right was conferred; whether any,
and if any, what legislative or judicial
proceeding. the circumstances of the case
require The said committee shall have
power to send for persons and papers. and
report the result of its investigation to this
body.
Mr.. Watson suggested modification
of the resolution. which was discussed
by Messrs. Deneale, Watson and Thomas,
until the expiration of the morning hour.
The bill appropriating one million of
dollars year to the Covington and Ohio
Railroad. until its completion. was pas
sed. Messrs. Basel and Roger voted
against it.
HousE.-A resolution was offered by
Mr.. Jackson of Gilmer and Wirt-of es-
tablishing an independent Bank in the
town of Glenville, Gilmer CO.
All the internal improvement bills on
their first reading were taken up, and ad-
vanced to their second reading, and a
majority to their third reading.
PoRrER's REPEATING GUN-We had an
opportunity yesterday of examining and