Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-02-09
no pE coNTINuED.l
FROM RICHMOND.
[CorrespOndence Of Ihe 1ntelIIgeneer.l
RIcnMoND, Feb. 9th, /

RICnMoND, Feb 9th, 1858.
s'The last shall be first and the first shall be
last" is an adage which, besides having the au-
thority of Scripture to sustain it as truism,
has received and ever will receive exemplifica-
tons in human affairs;-it shall have one illus
tration in my letter, for shall first notice the
proposition for the disposition of the free negro
population of the State, which, as it is the first
measure in magnitude, which has been before
the Legislature this week, has involved more dis
cusSion than any other, and hence has required
more delay, and though introduced more than
week ago, has been so frequently postponed
that it may be called the last measure before the
House. This bill, which originated with Spe-
cial Committee appointed for the examination of
the subject, has been before the House of Dele
gates every day for week, but has been taken
up almost on every occasion near the hour of
adjournment, (abUut dinner time) and hence Its
consideration has been postponed from day to
day, in order to make time for discussions. AS
was to. have been anticipated, great diversity
of views has discovered itself since the in
PRODUCTION of the measure. Neither the OPP
position to, nor the support of the bill,
has been limited to particular sections of
the State, but each side has had able friends
from every section. Mr. HOwerton, the intro.
ducer of the proposition, is from Halifax, the
largest slavehOlding county in the State, while
Mr.. Gilmer, one ofthe first to oppose it, is from
Pittsylvania, an adjacent county.
Mr.. Preston, of Smythe, on yesterday, deliv-
cred speech against the bill, marked by con-
siderable force of argument, and much grace of
style and elegant diction. Mr.. Preston, Is per-
maps, the most accomplished member. of the
House. He was formerly Wing, but united
with the Democracy in the GuhernatoriaI cleo
ton of 90, since then, he has continued to act
with the party. He answered by Mr..
Gregory, of Amelia, whose speech gave much
satisfaction to his friends. 1t may be several
days yet before the House finally disposes of this
measure. Its action is also quite uncertain;
there is undoubtedly majority of the mem-
berS in favor of the remedy which this bill pro-
poses, for what is termed "great evil, but
whether constitutional majority, remains to be
seen.
A bill has been introduced into the Senate
during the week, amendatory of the law con-
corning 'FlOur inspections" 1t is proposed by
the bill to define more fully the duties, &C., of
inspectors
The Committee on Finance has presented n
report adverse to the numerous petitions of
merchants, DC, concerning taxes.
Mr.. Kemper, of Madison, continues indefati-
gable in support of his plan for the better or
ganlzation of the miitia, and has succeeded in
maElng Ut the order of the day for Friday next
1t is probable that VIM. r. Babee, ESQ,
whose statue of the young Republican the
House refused TO bny, will get contract from
the Legislature for statue of James Madison to
be placed in the Capitol. The statues of Henry
and Jefferson have been placed on their pedes-
tai, Immediately below that of the Father Of
his country. Our citizens have commenced
preparing for the immense cOncOurse of visitors
anticipated on the 29d.
We were visited by a snow storm on Tues
day night, which continued several hours We'd
nesday. Yours, FRANK.