Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-01-11
corres,ondenee of the Spectator.
RICHMOND, Jan. 7, 1854.


The Legislature is again at work with zeal
only short of that with which they enjoyed the
Christmas holidays. perhaps Many bills, mostly
of local character, were passed during this week.
and others on the table advanced to their maj
stage.
On next week the internal improvement docket
will be sounded 1t is difficult 10 ore'el the ac-
ton of this Legislature on the subject. 81 many
are new members, and not under the influence OF
the log rolling necessity or feeling of last session
the wants of their counties being already sup
piled; and on the other hand, the burdens of tax
alton are so imminent and oppressive. that in all
probability it will be difficult TO organize readily
anything like such an internal improvement "par-
ty'' as existed in the late Legislature, which
passed every bill, and mo questions asked"
The result, however, is in the hands of the tide
water members. If they unite and vote for the
leading lines Of Improvement already commenced,
then the friends of these lines, TO save the State
from irretrevable debt. will unite to postpone the
lesser aud new improvements TO await the success
of completed lines. If, though, the tidewater
meE bers pursue course of indiScriminate opposl-
ton they will provok, most surely disastrous
og-rolling combination before the close of the SEES
sion. There is an unusual number of improve
ment bills pending about two hundred and fifty
propositions are now before the Committee on
Roads. This is material enough for log rolling,
certainly.
The ball opened in the Senate to day with a
vote upon the Lynchburg and Gordonsville con-
nection 1t received only 10 votes, which is prob
ably its full strength intrinsically. reconside-
ration was granted to give it full hearing; no
discussion was had before the vote, but it under
went an active private canvass. Some influential
men are here ''lobbying" for its passage. But
withou. og-roing it will scarcely secure an ap-
preparation. The advantages of the Valley route,
fIr all the public purposes of this connection, are
becoming better understood by the public, and
must finally prevail.
The vexed question of the right of way over
:'the Pan handle" in Brooke county, for rail-
road froa Pennsylvania to Ohio, has been under
discussion for two days before the Road Commit
tee. Several distinguished lobby members are en-
gagged in the discussion which may yet last some
time.
The Dora Coal bill has been battled about like
a shuttleeock in the House for the last three days
The objections were against the extensive privi-
leges asked by the Company. The propriety Of
giving the power to construct railroad to trans
port the mineral from the mines, and possibly fol
carrying passengers also, was discussed fercely
The bill was recommtted to-day, with the inten-
ton o; presenting in lieu separate bills, one fol
Mining SC, the other for the railroad privileges
In this form, we hope to obtain the law.
The array of lobby members here this session
is really appalling. Presidents of railroads, pres
idents of banks, directors innumerabie, advocates
of the Monroe route and advocates of the Green
brier route-opponents of the panhandle road anc
lis supporters-frends or enemies of the ndepen
dent banks. or Of the old banks. are here in fear
ful force Besides. a hundred other schemes, va
riegated-such as Frcnch's patent railroad, The
Medical College, Antwerp Steamers, &C., have
their outside representatives; and it is suspected
} that even the Dora Company has condescended t.
| lobby also.
Socially. Richmond seems to be sufficiently en-
tertaining just now. Masquerade parties are sale
to be 1.-The thing" lhis winter. The Italian oper'
has been in full blast during the week. and al
fashionable people profess the most ecsatc degh
with it.
Richmond city gives manifest sign of perms'
nent improvement. Many new business houses
have recently been erected, and Of the first char
acter in style aud dimensions. The noise of the
hammer is heard all around, and altogether in the
hustle of building and business, Richmond reminds
one very much of StaunrOn Z.