Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-01-26
The James River and Kanwha com-

4 Z We copy the following weli-written ar
Iticle from the Richmond Enquirer. 1t is
but one among number that have ap-
peared in that and other papers. compli-
menting our Delegate on the course he
has pursued in regard to this company.
The department of Charles S. Lewis,
has gained for him reputation through
out the State for in the encounter with
this company, he has been met at every
step by all the talent in and out of the
House. which could be commanded by
this corporation. Like jackson in his
battle with the Bank ofthe United States,
he is victorious. The dressing he gave
the Representative of the city of Rich
mond, Mr.. Joseph r. Anderson. who is
also director of the James River and
Kanawha Company. will not be forgotten
by Mr.. Anderson very soon; nor will
the downright and positive thrusts he
gave to Messrs. Speed and Miller, be of
any honor to those yeritable and excellent
lawyers. Lewis is younger than any of
his antagonists, but, single handed he
whipped the whole party out. His vieto-
ry over this corporation is a great p opu-
lar triumph over a bankrupt corporation
whic hhas heretofore de6ed assault. l
see that writer evidently from Mr..
Lewis section of the State, speaks fiat
teringly of his prospects for Congress,
from the district in which he resides. l
should regret very much to see him retire
front the Legislature-he is a most valua-
BILE man, and now that the people are to
be represented in our assembly, not few
Indifferent corporations, such a man is We
ry much needed. Intrepid. fearless and
talented, he makes himself felt in every
controYersy-he is a sound and sterling
Democrat, and a promising and rising
man. A few days ago, you published an
article rather Jogyish.' and containing an
enunciation of a circumstance which is
erroneous in very material point. The
article was signed "Strike but Hear" by
which one would suppose that the James
River and Kanawha Company had made
dividends on something which ought to
be called new stock. Now, nobody ever
heard of this thing being preferred against
the James River Company. 1t has many
sins to answer for; but that of making any
dividends to its shareholders, does not e1-
ist among its defects. No. no. u neper
makes Dividends, and the inference may
be deduced from its history that it never
| will.
The present organization of that COM
pany must be changed. This is as GER
tain as anything yet to be Developed
The present managers must be superce-
ded. The reasons are too obvious to ad-
NIT of controversy. The people of the
State abhor its extravaganza. Every
practical. disinterested man, who ever
heard of the company, is heartily sick of
its endless abortions; and whether angels
or devils preside over its destiny noao, is
matter of no moment. The people are
tired of them. Somebody else must be
found to take charge of the Company
A change is demanded. The officers of
the Company, whether competent or ho-
nest or not, make no sort of odds; they
give way. The work itself, seems dcser-
wing of the patronage and protection of
the State. If so, the agents of the State
must administer its affairs. Its fortunes
are hopeless whilst the extravaganza
which has been and now is observed in
its administration, continues. Economy
and obedience to the laws of the State, are
important and essential in every compa-
ny, but particularly is this the case in a
Company in whose accounts of expendi-
lures in seventeen years, makes up the
terrific sum of more than eleven millions
of dollars, which, with the legal interest,
with its expenditures would be nearly or
quite enough to pay the debts of the
State of Virginia and which, if laid out
upon a rail road, would put Norfolk in
Communication with Guyandotte by the
iron horse, in a single day.
An Eastern man, who has paid his
taxes for the last quarter of century up
on lands and negroes, and finds it totally
yalueless by the extravaganza and folly
of the James River and Kanawha Compa-
ny, must feel indignant at the Board OF
Public Works, who are the general agents
of the State, does not proceed to collect
the way pointed out by the acts of the
General Assembly Virginia. Their du-
ty is plain and direct. Their failure to
comply with their obligations, out of per-
sonal regard for the officers of bankrupt
and extrayagant corporation, may create
the necessity for new agents to transact
the business now in their hands. The
people of Virginia expect a faithful per-
Torrance of every duty at the hands of
its agents-any dereliction will be recol-
lected-no aYoritism--equality before
the law-justice and fairness to all-mer-
cy to none. If the laws are enacted,
let them be obeyed.
1t is true, a post norton examination
is now going on over the remains of the
James River and Kanawha Company
That circumstances ought not to prevent
the administrators of the bankrupt's eff
fects, from proceeding according to the
law. to see that nothing be lost to its chief