Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-26

proposition l object, and Dissent most Pmpnat
vested in this body; the discretion Is here
| Then the discretionary power to grant, carries
necessarily the power to refuse IT, in the opinion OF
this body be eIpedent to grant charter then is
granted; II ineIpedien il ia refused. Who. cir has
questioned the power Of ths House thus TO act
But the gentleman argues that you have no right TO
interfere with private rights. To this position all
must be drawn who agree with that gentleman II
then, this BIZ true, where does your Legislature get
the right to construct any road1 They all interfere
with private rights You take mana land with or
without his permission, provided you give him just
compensation. This is provided for in the bill of
rights. Now who will deny this Sir, this supreme
power constitutes the eminent domain; this 10 the
bass of State sovereignty; without this your supreme
power IL detective, your sovereignty limited and
hence worthless. But sir, have but to refer TO the
gen,leman's bill. What means those restrictions 7
Why does he attempt to secure for This road mano
poly Tor period Of years, if it be not TO restrict the
rights othose along the line of his road from construct
ing parallel to it If cir his doctrine be correct,
that right should be given to all who desre 1t TO con-
-truGt those roads, provided the land owners do not
object. Why does he come here and impose on those
people, whom he processes here to protect restrictions
which he says are onorous and grossly improper =
Sir, his views will not stand the slightest touch OF
analysis. They disappear as you approach them.
They are mers phantoms which are calculated to lead
men from their proprety.
Take, then, his single proposition that you should
give tne rlRnt Oh way 10 aH VINO cIaln Ur Pro'lueu
they propose to construct with their means, roads
on their own lands II this be correct what are all your
Rail Road charters worth. granting exclusive priv
lege Of rghs of way, for long term of years' viii
the gentleman give to the peopeiaong the line OF the
Lynchburg and Tennessee Road permission to build
= road contiguous to and parallel with that road, if
Tennessee were TO agree to furnish the money
necessary! Sir, think not. Bat si sir, the principle
which would induce him to contend for this ball. comld
lead him to an advocacy Of the other proposition.
Sir in all organizations Of society, governments aud
law concessions must be made promote the general
interest and public good Societies could never have
been formed, la~s made, and governments organized
without it. When governments are instituted. and
society formed, there other concessions which be
come necessary for the we'll being Of society. The
most important Of these CONCESSIONS is the power
given to be taxed, for the benefit Of others, even il
you should not enjoy the benefits OF such TAXATION
This view is illustrated by the action Of your County
Courts They exercise the right to tax all the people Of
aCouny 10 build bridge, by which, perhaps, NOT one
in twenty will be benefited, and may never pass Still
one ever denies the justice of such apparent inc:
quality These CONCESSIONS must be made for the
welfare Of society. In this point at view, l might
claim The RICH: TO deny our valley friends these con
nections, az the welfare OF Virginia demands it,
if it were done at great loss and injury to them.