Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-03-16
FROM RICHMOND.
(RsguIar Correspondence of the IntelHgeneer.l
RlcaaoxD, March 18th, 1858.

tsurn,ise there were few persons, both In and
| out of the Legislature, who, while leglslatlng
concerning an adjournment before accomplish
ing any OF the grand State schemes from whose
frgition the people had anticipated such go>cn
harvests of wealth and prosperity, and tearlng
thus to infict blow, possibly fatal, to some OF
4 our progressing improvements, still questloned
the propriety and policy of an extra session,
both in view of the fact that the present cN-
fhausted condition of the treasury would not
admit of further appropriations to works of inn
provement, and that the ultimate object OF
second session could not be but to make said
appropriations and to make them eXtravagantly,
notwithstanding the 'groans" of the taN-rldden
thousands so long stitled by the cry OF state
necessity" and by fair promises OF tne tnture,
were bursting forth dcafcningly, i'll one con-
tinued and united cry of "relef from taxation"
Again, some there were who desired an extra
session in order for action and effort 10 com
pcte the most important OF those cherished
works of the Commonwealth, which they be-
leved must inevitably contribute both to the
immediate and ultimate relief of the people
and the enrichment and grandeur of the State,
and who, rather than postpone the completion
of such works as the Covington & Ohio road,
and others, would assume the responsibility, ii
necessary, ofTenewed taxation, and even endure
the temporary dispieasuTe of the people. But
! this class also had its apprehcnsions, that even
in the event OF an extra session, no hing of real
state advantage would be accomplished so long
as the House of Delegates remained in n state of
faction, fusion and confusion. Thus far the
fears of the latter have proven themselves not
entirely unfounded, and it is with some degree
OF complacency that your correspondent informs
you, that lie thought with this class, though it
is with great dissatisfaction and indignation lie
reflects that his 'thOughtS' have been realized
leave it for you and your readers to conjecture
the cause of my serious displeasurc with the
Legislature for the lack OF interest IN its pro
=
ratiVe, the Legislature has done almost nothing
since the beginning of the session. Ridgway
indeed gave them very slain talk through the
Wig on yesterday, in which lie intirnates that
our Legislature belong to thatClass of animals
whose most prominent feature is long car
While | cannot go the entire figure with.
Ridgway, must say, though sorrowfully, and
with exceeding great melancholy, that he is very
correct in what he says of some of them, and
discharge an affective duty in informing the
members Of the House of Delegates especially,
(presuming that they are not aware of it'd that
there are some hopeless and irremcdablc block
heads among them. Ofthe Senate am deligh
ted to say, that with three or four exceptions
on each side of the chamber, it is most digni-
fed and gentiemamly body oflegislators, and is
a credit TO Virginia. so greatly distinguished in
the Tast Tor her eminent statesmen. The House
has been for the last two or three weeks, a per-
feet incubus upon the action of the Senate, de-
tanning and delaying it at every step Of its pro.
gress The great evil in the House of Delegates
now and heretofore, is, and has been, that while
there are hlways some very able men among its
members, the block-headS always predominant;
and as the majority of the House consists of
men who render the abilityof fellow members
unavailable by their own obtuseness and Inabil
ity to appreciate Smartness of any kind, except
ing, perhaps, that occaSioned by hickory
switch, or cat-o'-nine- tails; my advice to those
constituencies sending members who are dull
ald not smart, is, in all seriousness, and good
falth, to despatch one of the aforesaid inStru-
ments of chastisement to Gov. Wise, to be used
by him as necessity shall require; and continue
sending the hickory, or some Similar weapon, so
long as he is Governor, his fighting instincts
may be relied upon, well as immediate casti-
CATION OF such members, at the slightest indica-
ton of stupidity ON their part.
The Senate has been engaged for several
days past in desultory discussion of the sub.
ject OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which arose from
an amendment added in the House to the Gov
ington & Ohio Railroad appropriation bill. The
House amendment provides that the Board of
Public Works shall borrow 100000 to cxpend
on this road i'll '5S and 80, and subsequently
borrow 81 GOO, 900 per annUm; to be appropriate
ed to its construction, provided the aggregate
shall not exceed $l0,000,OO0. The amendment
was opposed by the friends of the bin, who sus-
pccted some concealed motive in the favor shown
the amendment by certain Senators, hitherto
protesting opposition to appropriations to such
enterprises After two days discussion, an
amendment to the House amendment, substitut-
ing six for ten millions, was adopted.
Mr.. Sweeny's bin "to prevent the unlawful
bridging of the Ohio" was passed almost unan-
mously on yesterday 1t had been before the
House nearly a week, and there was much dis
cussion upon its merits-more than WAS ncceS-
sary. This bill would probably not, under any
circumstances, have failed TO pass the II use, so
monStrous and absurd was the object i intend
cd to prevent, but the unanimity with which it
passed is, in great measure, Attributable to Mr.
Segar, who, in speech of ten minutes dura-
ton, made summary of the arguments. pro
and con, upon which other members had spent
hours.
Early in the week, Mr. Powell, of Loudon, Of
fercd resolution in the House, the purport of
which was TO prohibit the clerks of the two
Houses from giving certificates to members
whereby they might obtain the mileage which
would have been due to them had they left the
city, but to which they were not entitled, being,
with very few exceptions, in the city at the
time of the Governors Proclamation. This, of
course, was most Interesting subject to mem
bcrs, and the greater part of the time of sitting
of two days, was consunedinits debate. Mem
bers whom never have seen OF heard taking
part in the discussion of other subjects, were on
their feet opposing utterly" and moving to