The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-02-15
RICHMOND, VA
WEDNESDAY MORNING FEBRUARY IS 1854
sPI RIT OF THE PRESS

tha. while no additional expenditure should be in
Cured on account of original schemes, the avaia.
BILE energy and capital of the State should be con-
eentrated on the great works now in progress. Al
| though no particular works were specified, there
was one which, of all the schemes in the State, was
thought most deserving the confidence of the pub.
| lie, namely, the Covington and Ohio Road. The
Enquirer admits that it mistaken in its opinion
of the temper and sagacity of the Legislature for
while there has been no difficulty in procuring ap-
preparations to plank roads and turnpikes, great
work of State is left to live only in the con-
ception of its protector. The Covington and Ohio
Railroad BILL through default of its friends, has
encountered successive defeats in the Legislature,
and unless the proposition now pending for the
| reconsideration of the subject prevail, we must
abandon all hope of its ultimate passage. -
| The Covington and Ohio Road is the keystone OF
the arch-if that falls the whole system of public
Improvement in Virginia must tumble to the earth.
All other works depend on this. Unless they have
to the Ohio the vast outlay in their consruc
ton will bellittle better than idle waste. five
abandon the Covington and Ohio road, we destroy
| the system and conference of our policy of public
Improvement we leavethe branches without
! trunk to supply strength and vitality. The En-
quirer concludes with the following paragraph:
We trust the Legislature will reconsider its opin
ion and reverse its decision One member has
made the unblushing confession that his conduct
is determined by bargain and intrigue; would
tain believe, that higher considerations control the
action OF the l. legislature We hope members will
rise above local prejudices and petty combinations
and will strive to promote the interests of the State
without refererceto schemes of individual ambition
and advancement.
fItis presumed that the article above noticed was
written previous to the vote in the House on Mon
| day night
| The Examiner has leader on the banking sys-
tenn of Virginia, alluding in the course of remark
to the proposition to recharter the State banks
Considerations OF policy enjoin postponement Of
the subject until the winter of 1855 The European
war will tend to initiate every branch of business,
particularly banking. To grant lease of life
for thirty years to the great banks at such time
would give FLIP to expansion, to which the in
dations consequent upont the war of 1912 would be
prudence ard moderation itself. On the contrary
ifthe charters withheld, the banks will keep
their sails furled, their matches down. and all things
ready for winding up their affairs if the charters
should be refused in 1885, Imitation would be pre-
vented, and contraction and prudence would be en-
forced. The Examiner is in favor of the appoint
ment of a commissioner armed with visitorial pow
ers over the independent banks" and with pow
er to report at any moment of time or period of the
year, upon any bank he may think proper to visit
The Ihig replies to article in the Staunton
Vindicator, charging it with wishing to make Rich
mond the grand focus of trade, whilst all others
may sink for want of necessary support The
Whig thinks its case hard one-charged here with
trying to ruin Richmond, and elsewhere with wish
ing to ruin all the rest of the State for the
| dizement of Richmond. The Whig desires to
| make the metropolis the centre of all improve
ments of the State, but does not believe that would
| tend to injure any portion thereof. 1t thinks it
possible, by a judicious system of improvements,
to make the interest of every section of the State
identical-to bring about oneness of feeling and
| interest in all the parts-and to make each and
every improvement contribute to the aggrandize.
ment of the whole. 1t is the only means by which
| thorough Virginia feeling can be created in all
| the borders of the Commonwe The Whis
| argues that the Central Road, constructed on a
wide gauge while it would benefit Staunton, would
| also contribute to the general prosperity of the
State. In its second article, the Wing alludes to
its own course on the Nebraska bill, with respect
| to the leading feature of which it never had any
| objection; and proceeds to compliment Mr. Doug
| las, who has exhibited rare and commendable
fsar essness, which forms an enviable contrast to
| the conduct of Mr.. Everett.
| The leader of the Penny Post is sketch of St
Valentine, concluding with an ausion TO the custom
of sending valentines, which it says is very agree.
able and harmless when kept within proper limits
but which is too often abused, and made the instru
ment ofwounding the feelings of individuals by
coarse illusions to their inrmities or peeuliarties
We observe also several other editorials, one OF
which strongly condemns the proposed change in
the corporate powers in the town of Bath
The Mail presents an array of reasons why the
South should sustain the Nebraska bill of Judge
Douglas. 1t is proper that Southern men should
show not only that they have rights under the Cons
titution, but that they mean to have those rights
respected. In another article the Mail favors the
passage ofthe billt has been reported by Sc
iect Committee of the Senate to reduce the heavy
tax on the agencies of Life Insurance Companies
of other States rather to put an ad ualorem tax
ON their receipts, and proceeds to show why Life
Insurance in our State should be encouraged
4
1 Hon. JOHN Y. MAsoN.-We have heretofore al
luded to the reception of Mr.. Mason, our Minister
at the Court of France. 1t is stated that when he
presented his credentials to the Emperor, he was
introduced to the Empress, who conversed with
him in English for about half an hour, and
afterwards forwarded an invitation for the grand
ball which took place at the Tueries the following
evening. One of the imperial carriages was senl
L <ra A,~.l., L.
conducted him back to his hotel Mr. Mason an
peared in the Court dress heretofore worn on Off
cial occasions by American Ministers, which wal
gratifying to the Emperor and Empress and al
others present
SINGULAR AccIDEsr.-The following accides
has been before noticed in our columns; but for thu
purpose of correcting some telegraphic errors, W,
give the correct version from the Picayune of the
eth. One Of the wounded men has since died.
/ Aba,,f dor Iaa eyopipu x,n.,, c.-:<.,.