Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-21
MIR. LANGFITT'S SPEECH.
Dt!'r"r'd ~ lie House Of De'reaies oC Virginia
FtbrUary 20, 1856.
lnrn
REPORTED BY P.KEAS.l

FSbrHdry ~, 1896.
REPORTED BY P. KEAN.l
The bill granting the right OF way to the Pittsburg
and S,eubenville Rail Road Company, being under
confederation, Mr.. LANGFiTr said
Mr.. Speaker From what have seen in this and
other deberative bodies, cannot fail to discover
that, in relation to bill Of such importance as this
some explanation Of its merits ia expected from me.
That explanation will now, in my feeble way, pro-
ceed to give although it s greatly to be regretted
that measure involving such vast interests should
not have been committed to the care and advocacy
Of more able and experienced patron. For, since
frat entered the of llfe with view to earn
living by labor, have been a student Of law, and
been involved in the dry yet exciting abors OF that
useful profession. This is a new forum-the habit Of
thought and feeling the occasion and character0 of ar
guent, aud the trial of fact and conclusion, all diff.
terent, insomuch that even an accomplished lawyer
may be, and often is, useless member in body like
this. Much more may be. feel, aud have ever
felt myself to be, exotic here and that, too, OF
such recent transplantaon, that cannot be, and II
would he folly 10 hope 10 bs, productive OF either
fruit flower. But, while do not hope to command
attention in consequence OF my nexperence, nor yet
for those brilliant displays Of rhetoric, which, like the
aromatic gales Of the South that attract and telici
tate attention. still hope and confidently expect to
be heard for my cause, traught az it is with interests
Of the greatest magnitude to my constituents, and
having its foundation OH the eternal rock OF justice,
equity and right.
Few causes have undergone 80 fierce all ordeal, and
fewer still have stood the test of examination and
criticism 80 well. 1t is a remarkable though not a
singular characteristic Of this cause that ut every
trial of strength increase OF friends was the en-
couraging result.
The contest upon this question began in the winter
of 1913 and, during that winter probablyi January,
lSi9 bill on this subject was reported by the Com.
mittee of Roads and Internal Navigation. That bill
was read first, second and finally third time the
last reading being the motion Of VIM. Pitts then
representing the county of Ohio. 1t is important
here - inquire in the first place. what is the design
and scheme here presented! The bill implies that
there are others interested in the matter besides Nr
giuians. 1t is bill granting the right OF way to the
Pttsburg and Steubenvle Rail Road Company; and
authorizing the construction OF bridge across the
Ohio river. What is the nature and extent OF this
design and who are interested in it7 will endeavor,
in my feeble way, to show that the counties OF
Brooke and Hancock are as much interested in the
results and success of the bill the stockholders in
the company be-nay more, for the stock holders
are at most but interested in reasonable dividend
on the money invested; but the people OF those TWO
counties are interested not merely n the enhance.
ment Of the value of real estate but in the untold
wealth dependent on the proper development OF the
mineral wealth and manufacturing capacities Of their
position. l desire the undivided attention OF the
House. because feel 1t to be impossible to convince
gentlemen who do not hear, or to satisfy the under.
standing of those who will not sten II they do mol
desire knowledge of the facts connected with this
measure am willing that they shall now decide by
vote on the bill but il they do desire such know
ledge then most respectfully ask their attention to
the remarks am about to submit. call the atten'
tion Of the House particularly to the large map or
the left of the chair put there this morning by my
self. 1t was made by Mr.. Garnetl, Chief Engineer o
the York River Rail Road, and taken from the gene
raj rail road map Of the United States Any one
the least familiar with the rail road map, can see al
once that this is an accurate copy Of the nes of road
laid down. furthermore call the attention OF the House
10 s mark on the extremele left OF the map s Cincn
natl From this Columbus, Newark Wheeling, Steu
benvile Pittsburg and Greensburg can readily be dis
cerned.
Columbus and Cincinnati are the true competing
points West ard Greensburg in the East call espe
al attention Newark, thirty-three miles east OF
lumbus for that is the wesrtern terminus OF the rai
road scheme, part Of which is involved in this bill
Starting at Newark, il runs through Steubenville
aud there connecting, by the means Of bridge, with
the Pittsbure and Steubenvie road, It ends at the
city Of Pittsburg. Such Is the scope extent ane
| character Of this scheme-no more. NOW VINO ls IN
terested First, the people living on ana near tn'
line from Newark to Steubenviei next those on enc
near the iIpe from Pittsbu-g to Stsubenvile, sil
miles Of which is in Virgipia but most OF all are th
people Of Brooke and Hancock counties TOR the rea
sons before indicated. This scheme was first project
ed by worthy and intelligent citizen Of Brooke coun
| ty one who has been lawgiver TO the people, ant
otherwise by them bencfcally trusted. No one,
presume, better know than be, the immense
| sdvnntares 10 be obtained from the success o
the measure; and no one has labored more
| arduously and sincerely for it than himself
But unfortunately for him, and for the citizens o
those two counties, hitherto hs lsbors have been un
availine. His views upon this subject were embo
died in letter, which was repuoshed, ana iaiu or
the desks of members. have read it's contents care
fully and can cheerfully cay that according to my
knowledge and belief the facts which 1t presents are
true was deputed to Richmond in the fall OF lsas
AZ member of the Electoral College and remained
here during the winter. In January lS49, procured
of a nhprtar tha Virpinia norton
of this scheme but it failed to become law On the
10Th day of March, l849, the Pennsylvania charter
and on the 24th day Of the same month the Ohio
charter became laws-of course the Virginia portion
only falling. Are not the citizens Of Brooke and
Hancock entitled to as much favor from Virginia
Legislature as the citizens Of Pennsylvania and
Ohio from their respective Legislaures7 Still we are
denied not only fsvors but our rights
Yet, Mr.. EDGIHeTos, trusting 10 the CHARACTERISTIC
berulity and Uniform comfy of Virginia, hesltated
not TO pledge all nesdfu legislation in the premises
and in consequence Of this pledge, not only was the
necessary legislation Detained from Ohio and Penn
sylvana but the stock necessary to construct almost
all the road was obtained The Ohio portion is en-.
tirey finished: as is also the Virginia portion, and
that in Pennsylvania greatly advanced Why cannot
MIR. EpG IsGTos reazeto these compsniesihs pledgel
Because this Legislature REFUSES TO hear his COM
plaint-refusss to grant his prayer. why TINS refu'
sal II isa Virginia design, and gotten up mainly to
benefit Virginians-those of Virginia too who without
this road must be forever cut of from all Rail Road
connection with the world they are robbed Of those
facilities which Of right are their DUE and they are
practically told that they sha not have rail road,
even though no money s asked to make 1T while, at
the same time, there was not road In Virginia.
the Baltimore road, which they did not asast in con-
structing.
Let US now Inquire il he people Of these counties
need rail road ! | say they do need such an I'M
provemer. as much as any Two counties OF the Com
monweath, and they have the same right. As a mat
ter of right each particular farmer is as much enti.
tied to a road as any other; nor, as matter Of right,
can it be denied him, when he does not tax his neigh
bor to construct II Tor hm AS a question OF prlnci-
pie, there is difference between the rights OF few
and the rights OF many; for all equally entitled
not only to the possession Of their rights, but also to be
protected in their use. Therefore, as question OF
right the bin should pass. | will now proceed to
show that the same conclusion follows when we con-
slider the measure with reference 20 lta sfpedtency-
We need the road to develope our resources and to
hiring into active operation capacities for i'm
provement in agriculture, commerce and manufac-
tures II one-faf the legislative faVors had been
vouchsafed to Brooke end Hancock counties tha,
have beon laYshed, il not squandered on the city OF
Wheeling, we would not only be able to say re hare
something sure, but population would be twenty
instead Of ten thousand, our real estate tripled in
value, and personal property increased an hun.
dred fold. This is not mere speculation but the le
Ultimate deduction from comparison ot tho iTproya
be capaces Of those couutie3, tof courae including
Wellsburg with other places that have been favored
with all and even more than their rights. In all this
increase of wealth and population the Commonwealth
has direct interest; for while we ask no money to
make our improvement, but only the legislative pri
viege to make them ourselves, by this improvement
VIC enhanc6 our value TO the State as u taxable com
munity, and thereby render more material aid to inn
provemens in other portions CT Virginia where they
not only ask tor charters, but also the money with
which to make those charters available. Why not
then, make the grant we pray for since thereby the
Stste ia benefited, other improvements benetitted
our wants satisfied, and principles maintained The
only principles which should be applied to trade and
travel are those which govern personal liberty. No
time, no class of facts justify their permanent and
persistent violation. Sound principles are like their
great artbcr With reference to them it is an etei.
nal now Their temporary violation, wronsm1ne,s .ra
like the true principles of is indHessaent,
not force BY force, you may obstruet impede ana I,
inilre trade for awhei but like water aa%mea II
will eventually fad vent and tnen' DRESSING ,;e
Ill ,npos.i0n. IL Will leave ruin